Catharine Maria Sedgwick Online Letters

Lenox 1st June -- 1826 --My dearest Eliza --

My glance at you in Hudson has seemed to me ever since like the “glimpses saints have of Heaven in their dreams” 1 -- so short and so sweet -- -- Do not the Philosophers know some substances that absorb light, & impart it gradually -- I am sure the heart is such a one -- though perhaps they have not found that out -- illegible There has been a little halo round mine ever since that morning and it is dark enough in itself -- Your sweet Sister -- How like a tender flower that bends its unresisting head she looked --

I received your letter the day after I arrived -- You felt dear Eliza at this touching event as I knew you would -- there is much sorrow but no bitterness in it -- I trust Marianne will be the better for her journey 2 -- I felt that it was not the drought and dust that had blasted our beautiful hills and vallies to all your eyes -- -- The senses are dull when the heart aches -- and even Gods fairest works 2 are overshadowed with clouds -- But if you were with me here now Eliza in this bower of content of my darling Brothers, looking down into the deep green valley -- and over the rich clad hills, and misty mountains and then upon the pleasant faces about us, I am sure your heart would bound again as it often has under such influences

But there you are in that hot city, losing ounce by ounce the precious flesh off your bones --

Are there no arts of surgery, or necromancy, or maidenly ingenuity by which you can accelerate the event that called you to Philadelphia? -- Dear Eliza why dont you proclaim yourself hors de combat 3 -- As long as your Sister has her Mother at hand, an experienced matron, what good reason is there for your remaining? -- I confess these are very impertinent suggestions, but remember they are wholly on account of my concern about your health, and not from any selfish hankering for you --

I never enjoyed the quiet -- the freshness and beauty & celestial harmony of the 3 Country so much as at this time -- You must partake it dear Eliza -- --

Have you ever heard of a Mrs Hughes of Philadelphia? -- the author of “Ornaments discovered” -- “Stories for Children” &c 4 -- after Miss E the best writer for children I think -- She keeps a large boarding School in Phila' -- It is not probable you will meet her but I hope you will as I have heard a good deal of her that interested me in her character -- she sent me books in the winter and a very pretty note with them -- and I want to know something more about her --

She is a Unitarian -- -- and you may perhaps see her at Mr Furness’ church -- Kitty has just been to me to beg me to give her best love to her dear Aunt Eliza -- -- She has shown me your fable which is too beautiful to be a hidden treasure --

Charles & Eliz send their best love to you -- Eliz is to be confined in July -- but that is no matter for if you are not ambitious to be considered an Itinerant Superintendent of such ceremonies, you can, always be 4 if you are as unlucky as I was at Newton, do as I did, run away --

I am amused at the idea of Dr C's coming here to see me -- His desire for farther intimacy with me has only arisen since his acquaintance with my Sister -- No Eliza I wont be bamboozled even by the Revd Doctor _____

You must have thought it extraordinary that I didnot write you at Boston -- my letter reached there after you had left it --

God bless you dearest E CMS

Kate will not be content without my sending one dozen kisses for her -- Let it be a Bakers dozen -- one for me --