File:Charles Sumner to Fanny Longfellow, 20 October 1843 (89bf35cc-6813-4caf-8f5a-31f27997e322).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/2.2-148#12

Court St. Oct 20th ‘43
Friday morn
At this hour, in this place, dear Fanny, with a raging tooth, how can I hope to send a proper reply to your delightful, most sisterly letter, which reached me last Sunday. The day is most inviting, and the blue expanse above bends gloriously over us. How can dark (cove), and sorrow, and aches [of the soul (worse) even than those of the body] find a place in a world spanned by so much beauty and majesty? – Another twinge! The sun seems blotted out, and the delicious ether but a petulant congregation of vapors. How much of our appreciation of external things depends upon the condition of our bodies! How much also upon that of our souls! But a truce to this (t_am_) of sentiment. I will descend from the air to our own streets.
The Lawrences have returned. Mr. Lawrence fat and sleek as an Abbott; Mrs. L leaner than an abbot’s wife, the said functionary having no wife at all. During the few moments that I saw her, she was quiet, and her voice was gentle (__a_), as if English life had tamed her energies. Poor Miss Annie suffered more coming home, than going out. She was (_et___sible) when I called. With so many lovers, earnest to offer her their all, will she not revive? Their (fes__d) love should create an atmosphere proper for her delicate nerves.
Last evening I was at Madame (Castellau’s) concert; there was the most fashionable body of people I have ever seen together in Boston (in) such a place. Mrs. Ritchie showed a mother’s pride, when I told her what Felton told me of her son’s Greek Dislogue at the Exhibtion – that it was the best he had ever heard. She enjoyed the music very much; so did Mrs. Ticknor, and Frank (Shsveder’s) (extasy) went far to breaking a bench. Poor soul that I am, I am almost dead to such things; my ear is too dull. But the voice of the (Nat_a__) singer did go to my heart. It brought to memory the gorgeous operas of Europe, as the sea-shell tells of its (August) abodes, and murmurs, as the ocean murmurs there.
I saw the fair Emmaline two evengs since. I staid till she grew tired of me. She longs- we all long, for your return home- (ducite ab urbe domuma.) I am delighted that Henry can read 20 pages. (Let us) praise Dr. (Eliot), and have faith in him.
And the lovely Louisa has not yet sailed. I am sorry, She ought to go. Her character and mind would gain very much by familiar intercourse with Howe, and, perhaps, she might gain an edge of better temper for her whole soul. I am not wrong in letting her escape, even if I could hope, as I have no reason to hope, that I could detain her. Sincerely, and (exceptive) I have no desire in that quarter; nor in any other. Perhaps the Heavens may open in some unexpected quarter.
Horace Cleveland, brother of Henry, goes to New York today, He has been here for 2 or 3 weeks, and pleased us all very much by his amiable character. He is a farmer; and owes his farm, (and more) than this, his whole character and development, to his deceased brother. He hopes to see you while in N. York, and will call on you. I have promised to announce him and to issue him a cordial greeting.
Pray ask Henry to get from Dr. Eliot a small phial of the wash that he gave me for my eyes. I have a sort of faith that I am benefitted by it, and as I may wish to use it this winter, I take the opportunity of Henry’s return, to obtain a new supply. I suppose the Dr. will not charge anything for it. If he does, Henry will be good enough to pay for it on my account.
The sweetest, gentlest girl in Boston, with more sweetness and gentleness combined with sense, intelligence, and accomplishments than any other, more thoughtful of others, and less of herself, is Emmeline Mcloud. If she were entirely alone in the world, I know a person who would fall in love with her. Farewell, dear Fanny,
Ever and ever Yours,
C.S.

• Keywords: charles sumner; correspondence; document; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; long archives; manuscript; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters to Frances Longfellow (1011/002.002); (LONG-SubseriesName); Charles Sumner (1011/002.002-148); (LONG-FileUnitName)