File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 6 December 1847 (726b376b-b9cc-4805-9a6d-78565c4e2b0e).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-017#027

Monday
Dear Annie
Many thanks for the autumnal leaves Henry brought me. They are more beautiful than most of those in this region ever are, & I think I shall make a book of them & keep it on hand for any interesting stranger that I am inclined to favor with a souvenir of America.
We have no very late news [p. 2] from Mary, so I suppose James is gaining surely if slowly – Poor child what a wearisome time she has had so far from home & friends.
We received last week the announcement of my aunt Martha’s death – After such prolonged suffering it is a comfort to me to know her long-tried frame is at rest, but it is very sad to me, too, to lose such an early friend, associated with so much of the past, & so lately one of our family circle. She has been failing [p. 3] gradually more during the autumn & sank peacefully to rest. Out of my mothers’ many sisters & brothers which once filled the old mansion at Pittsfield – three only remain, one aunt & two uncles - & they are scattered far asunder – It is mournful to see a family broken up piece by piece, but I like to think of them uniting into one in the changeless world where they have gone.
I have been hoping for some of yr thoughts on Evangeline, - for I was confident both the poetry & the [p. 4] story must go very near your heart – perhaps too much so for any expression about it. Oh, my darling, how near to mine went those few words in yr note, giving the date of your life of loneliness. How like fine stars against your dark night shine yr many kind deeds – at home & abroad – yr ever burning cheerfulness & patience! May this light which shines for others, warm & satisfy your own soul also, & be like the living presence of what you have lost.
God bless you, dearest, & sustain you to the end.
ever thy loving
Fanny
[p. 1 cross] I will send the floss when I have time to hunt it up. Love to all. Sam preached the two last Sundays at Fall River & remained the week between them.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; events; death; longfellow works; evangeline; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1847 (1011/002.001-017); (LONG-FileUnitName)