Catharine Maria Sedgwick Online Letters

Steam Boat Kent 1 19 Novr 1824 --My darling little Kitty

Is not it a good omen my dear Charles and Elizabeth that I shall keep the promise, which I made after due consideration and in good faith, that I have already begun its performance -- But I will not boast "Let not him that putteth on the harness" 2 &c -- I wrote you a line today from the steam boat office, where we had arrived after hurrying poor little Charles, who was never hurried before, till I beleive he thought the world would be turned upside down with the velocity of his waggon wheels which moved at the rate of five miles an hour -- Well there we stayed four hours, which were, in spite of philosophy, both long and tedious and diversified only by the entrances and exits of a half a dozen loiterers who were engaged in the profitable business of looking out for the steam boat, -- with occasional visits from two little idle boys, (Benjies) who like wharf-rats infest the docks, and who amused themselves with playing push pin -- --

There were two travellers who were in the same plight with ourselves -- One a gentleman who swaggered about the room with in heavy boots with a consequential air -- as much as to say -- I can stand on my own legs -- & who evidently imagined himself the greatest man in this region of Country -- From sundry words that fell from him I inferred him to be a Connt adventurer who had emigrated to the South -- There was too, a sickly clerical looking Imbecile who went out and bought apples & in all good nature offered them for our refection -- The steam boat came at last and Theodore appeared at the wharf in the little boat -- & brought me a letter from Frances in which she said that there would be a Mrs Folger on board -- a daughter of the Mr Sampson who was a clergyman -- and finally died a Unitan -- This Lady is (as F said a religieuse) who exhorts at meetings, visits the sick and devotes herself to all christian offices 2 Frances thinks her almost beatified and begged me to draw nigh to her without allowing her to suspect who I was that she might not suspect my heresy -- --

I didnot know how to select her but in the accidental shuffling of the company we soon fell together, and into a conversation half sentimental & half religious -- she paused very soon and asked "what church do you attend?" It is a test question you know & tho' an unlucky one I answered it boldly & cut the silver chord at once -- "oh I am grieved for you" she said -- and thereon we proceeded to a long talk which has been dropped and resumed at intervals ever since (now 1 Oclock). She has the face and voice of a Saint & is filled with all christian illegible grace & experience -- but charity for a heretic -- She talks sweetly and if my reason didnot rebel I should listen to her with awe -- -- Besides here we have no characters but a fat good natured Canadian Lady with her family on her way home as all Colonists affect to call the Mother Country -- Good night -- My fancy pictures you all locked in sweet sleep -- and my dear Kitty! -- Would that she was as near to me as she is to you -- --

Sunday Evening 21 -- I took leave of you on board the boat. My evangelical friend anxiously awaited the completion of my writing and then renewed her expostulation -- all excepting ourselves and the chambermaid a colored woman and a methodist had retired to their births, so that we occupied the arena alone The old blackey on hearing me accused of denying the Lord that bought me -- trampling on the precious blood -- accounting it an unholy thing &c &c -- lifted up her voice -- and besought me no longer to trust to blind guides, but to read my bible -- & said I might attain to her light!!! -- -- But alas I loved darkness rather than that light and crept into my birth, and earnestly aspiring to the zeal and devotedness of the interesting preacher I feel asleep --

I found them all well -- and at Roberts -- all in the heat of preparing a dinner for the Col' and his bride -- We had quite a party -- The Col I though seemed a good deal fluttered -- he however looks very happy, and as if (as Jane says) he illegible attained his object whatever that was -- She appears very well -- but rather strikingly unfashion 3 -able considering her winter destination -- It was quite amusing to see what a panic she was in as soon as the shades of evening began to thicken -- It was Saturday Night -- the first she had ever passed beyond the boundary of the land where that "is considered and manifestly is holy time" -- The Col was still at the dinner-table -- -- She twice summoned him before he appeared -- Ah thought I -- you will find it hard to serve two Masters -- The Col retired gracefully he has not yet worn the chains of matrimony long enough to find them galling -- --

They continue their Southern progress in the Morn'g -- Louis is here still and looks very well -- Jane's children are all in fine health and greatly improved -- Little Lizy is not at all changed -- as sweet as in the perfection of her infancy -- Your prophecy Liz with respect to her Mother is if I have any sagacity sure to be verified -- Robert's Theory on population and practice bear rather a striking inconsistency -- but as Uncle John would say Providence allots these matters -- not man --

I was delighted to reenter our little Church again -- and to bring thither my thank-offering for all the mercies I have enjoyed during this summer -- These breaks in ones life have some good tendencies -- they serve the purpose of eminencies whence to survey the track we have passed -- I see enough of devious ways that I have trodden -- of loitering places where I have wasted bright opportunities to fill me with humility -- and almost discouragement -- for it seems presumptuous to expect to do better in the future than we have done in the past -- but what we may not expect -- we may hope, and may pray for -- --

Monday Morning -- -- My chronicle it will no farther go -- We had a charming evening from the Russels 3, Sedgwicks -- &c -- I shall long to hear from you -- and how you are getting on with your repairs &c --

And here I am in NewYork, one hundred and fifty miles away from you it is a great distance -- I cant see your pleasant face nor hear your sweet voice nor your songs -- nor take you in my arms -- nor look at the mountains with you -- nor walk to the river -- but I can remember all the pleasure we have had together -- and thank our father in Heaven for it -- and I can hope that when Summer comes I shall see you again -- and pray to God to bless you and to love you -- And every night I think of you when you used to kneel down by me and say your prayers -- and I hope you will never forget to do that -- Kiss dear little brother for him and tell it made Aunt Kitty feel very cryish to think he went off to Lenox without her bidding him good bye -- Little Jane is a very good girl -- she says you must come to NewYork and stay with us -- She has got an old rag baby and you would laugh to see what a fuss she makes with it -- Today she screamed because Fanny pricked it -- which she said would make it bleed -- -- Was not that laughable -- Jane went to Church today and sat up quite like a lady -- -- Good night darling

Yrs in haste & trulyYrs as everCMS-- 4Aunt Kitty