Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1841.09.10 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Sep. 10th, 1841
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 8)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1841-09-10
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Elm Valley Sept. 10th 1841-
My dear Frederic,
It is just five days, since we parted on the green at Leverett1, and breath. I forth for each other, the warm and earnest desires of affectionate hearts. At these reasons of parting, we need a reliance on Him who is never weary, who is ever at hand to answer our imperfect and feeble requests; and it is not imparting to find in those we fondly love, this devout trust in our heavenly Father. At this throne of grave we find a refuge from care, for we can’t over care when him who careth for us; and we realize in our own experience, that “they who believe, do enter into rest.2“-
Nothing very strange has occurred since you left us. The usual routines of household duties or rather services have been accomplished after the old fashion, and the “cider mill track” has been furnished pretty steadily.
Theodore and Elizabeth made a slight deviation yesterday and ride to Northampton. We’re informed that Mr. Ellis preached to general satisfaction- Mr Edward Blake is so captivated, that he has invited him to take up his lodging, at his house. Mr. Lattroph mentioned to Theodore that he had reviewed a letter from Warwick which announced your arrival there. Little Mary is recovering slowly. – On the sabbath during our ride home, our attention was highly occupied with watching the broken part of our carriage, which was so skillfully secured however, that we reached home without difficulty, Theophilies took
Edward down in the evening as far as South Hadley, and left him to find his way home, by the light of the stars, and the light of pleasing recollections; and possibly mere anticipation of the parties might have heightened the prospect. –
Elizabeths nusirs have not yet arrived. The good is yet to come. Her health is improving.- Theodore’s too I think; I hope this beautiful weather will keep and make us well. Especially may it raise over grateful affections to him who giveth us all things richly to enjoy. We have had a call form Charles and Helen since I began to write, he came to take Mr. Feiker’s law books, and give little mary a ride; they have just left us. Theophiles invited the cousins to sing on wednesday evening- These exercises might be interesting and improving, but no one feels at liberty to suggest any new ideas, or hardly to notice a glaring fault, and the chief aim seems to be to sing on, and sing loud, the same old tunes and in the same way. Eliza g- regretted your absence, as doubtful we all did, tho’ all did not speak of it. This is always foremost- ardent and affectionate.- The subject of the marriage is discussed largely at Pine Grove3, I should think from what we hear, tho’ I promise not always in the presence of this father. He who ever looks on the dark side, must be expected to no a multitude- of frightful appearances by moon light.- The great hope I think must be in having Charles for a leader.- gain brothers and their wives and Miss Tharge had a formal invitation to take her there yesterday; after much debating and disputing it was agreed that they should go- so Theodore, your assistant in the anti-visiting cause, overcome his reluctance, and by a mighty effort, walked over with Theophiles, drank tea, and spent the evening- reaching our door just as the bell rang.-
Evening- 8 o’clock- your father has been gathering brans today on the hillside – and is now reclaiming on
Edward’s sofa. Bethia sits with me at the table, with great rapidity sitting stitches in a cotton garment, designed for the use of a certain schoolmaster. Theodore’s soul is heard reading to his wife, probably in me- Carley’s miscellanies4-. I have been examining today the Christian Examiner5– Mr. Parker’s sermon as reviewed in that work.- It is fine- I can conceive of nothing better. How do you like it? I took an early opportunity to read your piece, and was much gratified and instructed. Some of the family found some difficulty in understanding the first part of it but not so with Bethia and me- we were strong in intellect, and able to see through your passages. It is guilt an advance for me, wen to read of those things which are spread out before us; I admire and wonder…and while I am conscious of having done nothing in this way, I feel grateful to Him who has placed me in the midst of a scene, formed by his own hand with uncommon brevity and loveliness- where with out expense we may behold the effects of his power and goodness, and be assured that he has made all things very good.-
I hope you find your employment pleasant and your scholar tractable and orderly. When we follow our various occupations, as under the inspection of the All-seeing Are, we shall hardly fail to go on with comfort to ourselves and usefulness to others. As the cool weather emerges, and you are wandering among the woods and mountains, be careful to guard against exposure to damp or night air, and use exercise while out.- The reason brings forth to mind the events of 18396– may they ever be so remembered by us all, as to attend us with increasing force, to the contemplation of the objects, which alone can satisfy and elevate the soul.-
With the kindest remembrance from all, most truly
Your affectionate mother
Elizabeth
- Town in Massachusetts, next to Deerfield ↩︎
- Common biblical saying ↩︎
- Could be referring to Pine Grove, in the town of Amherst ↩︎
- Does this have to do with the Christian Examiner? Who is Carley? ↩︎
- The Christian Examiner was an American periodical ↩︎
- Was there some sort of tragedy in 1839? Perhaps related to hypothermia ↩︎