Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1842.09.14 – Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Sep. 14, 1842
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1842-09-14
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
~(On the front of the letter)~
Mr. Edward P Huntington
Cabotville
Elm Valley, Sept. 14 1842
My dear son Edward,
It is hardly necessary to say to you, that after such a pleasant visit as we had at your house, my thoughts should frequently roam to it, as I am pursuing the regular course of household concerns here at home. More especially was there a kind of intercourse of spirits at dinner the day after our return; for you may be assured that after such a violent struggle as took place when we were seated in the carriage, something of importance remained to be done the next day. This was accomplished [Gently?] and without offense, and I had the satisfaction of partaking with a high dish of your banished but restored cabbage. Your remarks on the subject, in your letter, were very amusing, and I could not but think that this was a highly privileged cabbage head. It will be well if its fellows are as highly distinguished.
From Frederic’s letter we learn that your house continues to attract visitors. I hope Helen’s strength will hold out and patience too. You ought to be thankful that your friends do not all make long visits. I have been hoping to hear that your mother Williams is with you. She would be a help and comfort too. You very kindly and certainly very unexpectedly invited me to make you a visit of several days. It will be very gratifying to me to do so – and I shall look forward to it as a bright spot on my horizon. I shall however choose to keep pretty near home till our friends arrive from France, and after that shall hope to see you and Helen here. As the time approaches that we may expect them, fears mingle with our hopes – and we can only say – “If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that.” How desirable is that spirit which can say in view of any event, “Thy will be done.”
We were over on the sabbath to Northampton. Mr. George Ellis preached two very good sermons, in the morning from these words – “For he knew what was in man.” In the afternoon, “It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Charles had designed to go to Boston last Friday but was detained by the illness of little Edward, who in addition to his other complaints has an attack of the Cholera Infantum–we have not heard from him since the sabbath.
Mr. William Dickinson1 died last week of dropsy. Theodore has had two attacks of fever since we were at Cabotville. They both yielded to medical treatment with the divine blessing, in a day or two. Th2 is about the house and rides out on errands, but is not able to work; it is trying in the midst of so much work to be able only to look on; in this case patience is very necessary, and perhaps the character may be more improved, than when in perfect health. God grant that the discipline of earth, may fit us all for the purity and peace of heaven.
Your father wishes me to say to you that if you will advance 150 dollars for Mr. Bardwell, the first of October, he will make up the remainder.
So you are to have Frederic with you to preach the first sabbath in October- if the distance between us was ten miles only, we should be glad to attend your place of worship at that time. Your father has written to Frederic, that he will not obstinately refuse to take a part in the ordination services, but will be guided by his wishes.
With affectionate salutations, from the family to yourself and Helen believe me yours with a mother’s love, Elizabeth