Catharine Maria Sedgwick Online Letters

Lenox 3rd June -- --My dear Elizabeth --

I really long to hear from some of you -- The chord that has bound us so closely all winter seems not to have been lengthened but severed by my departure -- I have not heard one word from NewYork excepting through the columns of the American 1 -- rather an unsatisfactory way of hearing from those nearest and dearest to you -- It is but the comfort of 'no news' for if you dont find their names under the head of distressing accidents or on the obituary list you have to be quite satisfied -- Dont imagine that I mean to complain -- I know too well the burden of NYork life to wish or be willing to lay a finger on any of you -- --

I came to Lenox on Wednesday -- -- It was Election day and little Jane went to keep her revel with the Ashburners 2 -- She was reluctant to have me come but I have since heard that she is quite contented & happy -- I shall return this afternoon to remain stationary till brother Theodore returns -- I want very much to hear how he proceeds with his work 3 -- I know so well the pains and penalties of such an operation that I feel as if I were plunging along with him through the slough of despond 4-- However through he will 2 go, & be as happy as a Lord when he has done with it -- and I trust some portion of his fellowmen will be the happier and better for it -- .

Maria returned on Thursday looking like an Emblem of the fine art with her guitar and lythographies and drawings -- she is as simple and retiring as ever and improved in health and beauty -- --

My dear little Kate seems to me improved -- I went last night with her to a Lenox ball and danced a cotillion with her -- the figures were intricate, but she, as she said, was "perfectly familiar" with them -- I dont know whether it is because disuse has enstranged me in some measure from Country modes, but I never was more diverted than with this rustic dance -- -- the men were all on one side the room -- the girls opposite -- arranged like a Conference meeting -- The Fiddler a decent looking white man entered and gave a nod of kind & easy recognition to each lady as he passed along to take his seat in a chair placed on a high table, beside which was a candle stand & on that his note-book & a roll of catgut in case of disaster to his fiddle -- This proved to be a necessary precaution -- -- When the moment of onset arrived, as if by a sudden inspiration the man at the head of the male bench 3 shot off like a rocket, and surveying the whole line of ladies made his election, and then each one followed in his turn -- without any of the emulous indecorous scrambling for a favorite belle which occurs in a more fashionable assembly -- In the midst of an intricate cotillion which I was dancing with Kate -- a fiddle string cracked -- and all motion & sound ceased as if a life chord had broken -- we all sat down while the fiddler, with pains and contortions equal to a Sybils, restored that mutilated instrument -- Then a nice question arose -- whether we should resume where we broke off or begin a new change -- Justice carried the day -- and "4th lady balanced to 1st gentleman" -- -- There was a bed in a recess or rather jut of the apartment -- a rather mortifying momento of the scandal cast upon our predecessors -- -- but this I beleive is accounted here both vulgar and barbarous -- --

My dear Lizy I wish you could see our rich hills and vallies as they look now in the pride of their youth, and freshness and glow of their beauty -- We had a very refreshing shower here yesterday and though it was not sufficient yet it penetrated far enough to give a new aspect to vegetation -- Charles' place is beautiful The dews of Heaven are on his tender herbs -- at least 4 the soil is so wet here that it has suffered comparatively very little from the drought -- the grass was perishing at Stockbridge when I came away, but I hope to find it improved -- My dear Elizabeth I long to look in upon you all -- The dear children are constantly before me -- I didnot know till I had parted from them how fond I had become of them this winter --

I am concerned about Robert -- but I trust that he will be wise enough to remember before it is too late that there is no equivalent for health -- My very best love to him and to Brother Theodore Kiss dear little Liz for her Aunt Kitty -- and tell her I will tell her a hundred 'stories' if she will come to Stockbridge -- Dear El -- I suppose his mind like a miror only retains the image of the present object 5

Did Nancy get the snuff ? Will you send it by brother T -- --

My love to all in Cortlandt street -- and beleive me dear Lizy

yours as ever CMS