Abbot Letters to Hannah Rantoul

Elizabeth Abbot to Hannah Rantoul, 12 January 1839

[From Elizabeth in Baltimore, where she was attending school and living with James and Eliza Gould, to Hannah in Beverly. She reminisces about her school days in Beverly; asks about mutual friends; mentions gaining weight; and describes her life in Baltimore and her relationship with the Goulds.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L. Rantoul, Beverly, Massachusetts." Separate notations by Hannah say "E. B. Abbot, Baltimore, Maryland, January 12th 1839" and "Received from E. B. Abbot in Baltimore, January 19th 1839, dated Jan 12th." BHS ID# 948.001.1230.]

Baltimore, Jan'y 12th, 1839

Dear Hannah,

You see dear Hannah that I improve every opportunity, that offers itself in writing to you. Your letters that I received were very full and interesting. I should be content if I could make mine so.

Dear sister, I was much gratified to see by Mother's¹ letter that you are so very attentive to her. She mentioned your kindness in reading to her parts of my letters, which you thought would interest her, and seemed to feel, that you were to me a dear friend. I know it Hannah. I know, that you have done, and are always doing, that which you think would please me and which no one but a dear friend would feel like doing. I think of you every day with those feelings of affection, which I never before felt. It is true, that we do not know the value of our friends until we are separated from them, but it is often very often for our own advantage to have these feelings.

Do you recollect dear sister, the times when I was the most mischievous monkey, that Mr. West had in his school? Do you recollect how often Mr. West² would say "Miss Abbot, work." I have not forgotten it, and never shall; but I must confess, that I behaved remarkably well, for I suppose by this time you know what my disposition is, and therefore it cannot be expected that I should be as sedate as yourself dear Hannah. By the way, do you see Mr. West often? How does he do? Well I hope, for I love him dearly. He is always agreeable and entertaining.

How does Mary Weld³ do? I have not heard a word from her since I left Beverly. If you please, give my best love to both Anna⁴ and Mary when you see them.

Hannah I am enjoying myself finely. If you recollect rightly I was very fleshy when I left home, but now am still more so. I was weighed a short time since, and weighed 104 lbs. O! can it be possible?

Have you seen Charles Peabody⁵ lately, and what does he say? Elizabeth Woodberry⁶ don't tell me about his visits to her as particularly as she might. Do tell me Hannah any news about him that you can find out. His brother William⁷ is here as large as life, and a very fine young man I find. He is very young, and I think has wonderfully cultivated his mind, but I am no judge of such things. Therefore it will not do to criticize.

What are the Beverly girls doing this winter. Are they frozen or rather is it so cold that they don't venture out. I see by the papers, that you have had it very cold but little snow. We have had sleighing but it did not last long, a few hours perhaps, and today I am writing with the windows and doors open. Delightful weather! I am going upon the top of Washington's Monument at one o'clock.⁸ What would you think at Beverly, to walk out in the month of January with merely a silk dress and cape? Such is the weather here. I begin to look around for the flowers, for it seems like summer.

Every morning I employ in walking. It is the pleasantest part of the day here, for by noon the walking gets pretty bad. The sun is so warm and powerful.

I have read through Alison on Taste⁹ and admire it more and more. Likewise I have taken some French books to read. I don't wish to lose my knowledge of that branch altogether. I do not spend my time idly as you think, I suppose. To be sure I seek enjoyment. Who would not when they should so easily find it. Every day and evening I am engaged – visiting, receiving company, &c - & I find it a great advantage to me. It renders me an opportunity of cultivating my conversational powers, which before I have had no particular opportunity. Besides I see much more of society than I did at Beverly – different characters, different dispositions, &c – displayed to great advantage.

O! Hannah! another thing. I am so pleasantly situated here. Mr. & Mrs. Gould^10,11 do as much as is possible for my entertainment and enjoyment, participates in all my joys and would sympathize with me when low-spirited, if I saw such times. They are as a father and mother to me. Do you wonder dear Hannah, that I love them so much? Coming as I did a perfect stranger among them? I do not at all.

I must now conclude for I have five letters to send home in this packet, therefore you must excuse this composition writing, &c & particularly the [__?__]ness of the letter. I intended to have copied & re-copied it, but time says "Stop". Give a great deal of love to your father¹² & mother¹³ & Charlotte¹⁴. Have you heard from Mary Louisa¹⁵ lately? I must write to her immediately. Accept much love for yourself, a whole bushel, and more. I must bid you now farewell.

Your ever true friend, E.

 

Copyright Charles Towne. Usage of this work is licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0
Compiler: Charles Towne

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