File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Reverend Samuel Longfellow, 7 November 1859 (ffce5bb8-de55-4b47-939b-e69a7bbeeb81).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-029#015

Cambridge Nov 7th 1859
Dear Sam
I send you by mail, a pamphlet on “Original Sin” &c in which the Layman’s part was written by my respected Papa, & you may think it interesting enough to read. It has, at least, the merit of being written in perfect courtesy & kindness on both sides, & is, therefore, a good example for that sort of discussion.
What an electrical speech Phillips has given in your region! Rather too revolutionary for my taste, I must say, tho’ very eloquent – I like Beecher’s sermon better. [p. 2] in the Christian spirit it has, altho’ one can’t help liking old Brown, so brave & outspoken, & his tragic history gives him the picturesqueness & pathos of an Ugolino. This attempt to implicate distinguished men in his crazy [crossed out: attempt] attack must be without support, but I heard Sanborn had taken flight from his school on account of being compromised – I know not with what truth.
It well shows what it is to have “powder on board,” & what an uncomfortable thing is this “blessed institution.”
Childs has returned, after his sad year of nursing an invalid bethrothed, whose illness, a nervous one, may be indefinitely prolonged, [p. 3] a melancholy prospect for upon [“for” is written over “upon”] him! He is to be at Dr Huntingtons, & brings back the report that the Dr wrote him,wWhile away, he had become a Trinitarian. I am very sorry, if only because he has been almost the only Unitarian preacher I ever heard, with sufficient sermons to suit me, & lo! It may be because he is not one! He never preaches doctrinal sermons, - & only occasional phrases might be construed as differing from ours, - his last four sermons have been very beautiful, & the last, upon Christ’s personal presence in his Church, the joy his conscious nearness & sympathy should give, was only what I consider the best Unitarian feel- [p. 4] ing should utter. I know not why he does not declare himself more openly, but believe it is because he dislikes to be called by any name. Still there is such a gulf of difference that a person can hardly stand astride it.
Mary, I suppose, you saw on her way. It was a pity she had to leave her charming house just as she had got it all in order. Harry has gone to Portland & Anne is as yet disappointed in getting him something to do. Willy is studying architecture with Cabot, & living in an old house of Mary’s-
My brother had a grand time in the Adirondack, killing ten deer himself, & the ladies bravely bearing all the fatigue & exposure. We had a pleasant little supper for the Darleys last week, with the Lowells—Jane Norton &c.
Wont you come on to the Schiller festival?
[p. 1 cross] Allston’s “Angel delivering St. Peter” is grand, & I hope we shall get it for the Chapel, as the gentleman who bought it in England seems disposed unto the donation. The Kemble portraits are interesting. We have a forlorn bust of Emerson, Henry subscribed for in the hall. If you know by chance any body in the Navy who might find a place for Harry, as clerk, Henry would be glad & Annie thankful.
Affly yrs
Fanny Longfellow.

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