Catharine Maria Sedgwick Online Letters

Stockbridge August 1825 -- 1My dear Robert

I have been intending to write to you for some days past, and have no better reason to give for my delay than sheer laziness the moth and rust 2 that consumes a great portion of my time -- I am very glad and thankful my dear Brother that you do not mean to give up your visit to us -- I confess that I rather hoped than expected it -- I knew you would come if you could -- and therefore if you came not I should bear the disappointment with philosophy but I could not bear to think that you had thrown off the fetters of early love, and broken the cord -- the three-fold cord that bound you to your home

This place has already changed much -- It must change much more, and at every change the shadows will steal still farther over the dial-plate -- but while there is one survivor of our family I trust this will be as a holy shrine, where we shall come to rekindle our affections, & to make 2 hope take new courage from memory -- -- there are changes -- but the trees that our Father planted -- that sheltered us when we played in the silken bands of youth, that have spread their contemplative shade over us in our more musing years -- still spread over us their soft and beautiful shadows -- If trees indeed have tongues -- these may stir our dullest spirits with their eloquence for they speak of those whose wisdom and love were a shield and banner to us, and of those whose joyous tread and merry voices were in harmony with the summer breeze that danced along their branches -- -- Now ripe age, and beautiful youth sleep together -- but we are here to mark the past, and to look to the future --

I never feel afraid of opening my heart to you my dear Robert -- or of showing you all its secret meditations -- -- -- You know the vapor from the water that settles along the shore will mislead with its uncertain aspect any but the most familiar navigator -- -- You have so perfect a knowledge of "my mind & its thoughts" 3 that you 3 will be able to explore your way even if I should be a little misty --

H and his family are very happy -- Jane is riding up and down the Country with her little bevy inhaling health with every breath -- Sister Frances and her Children have been here for the last three weeks -- -- She submits with christian quietness to some sore privations and enjoys with religious cheerfulness all her means of happiness -- Brother Theodore appears happier this summer than he has for a long time His little book 4 is verging to a conclusion with a promise of so much grace and beauty as to make a fortunate debut -- -- Besides his public business engages him -- and his little farm thrives -- altogether the state of his stomach is much improved -- Sue's untiring muse pours forth its sweets lays with as little effort as the birds that sing on the wing -- Theo' Junr is to go to Northampton for this year at least -- Eliza's family have regained their serenity -- the good Parents have meekly borne their sorrow 4 but it will be long before this cloud passes from our hearts -- time will, praised be God it does, soften grief, but oh may it never weaken the impression of our sweet Egbert's loveliness -- of his life and of his death! 5 -- I cannot bear that oblivion should pass over the dead -- They should live in our thoughts -- in our conversation -- we should habitually regard the separation as short

I have written a long letter without saying one word of Elizth and how glad we all are to hear of her amendment -- The dear little boy does not seem to have suffered much by the loss of his Birthright -- lbs 17 --? The time seems to be again coming when we shall have Giants in the land 6 -- We have had a plentiful rain here -- -- of 36 hours continuance -- 5 or 6 inches at least -- say the moderate ones -- Our beautiful river has risen so as to show its shining path way through the meadows -- and the valley is awake again after illegible

Give my best love to dear George -- . . . We are very willing to beleive there is no cause for anxiety about him -- but you know we are always fearful for our treasures, and besides we grow a little miserly about them

Yrs CMS