Abbot Letters to Hannah Rantoul

Elizabeth Abbot to Hannah Rantoul, 22 December 1840

[From Elizabeth in Baltimore, where she was attending school and living with James and Eliza Gould, to Hannah in Beverly. She describes an "old bachelor" (a Dr. Skinner) who may be pursuing her; talks more about Elizabeth Woodberry's relationship with Charles Peabody; and describes attending lectures by George Burnap.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L Rantoul, Beverly, Massachusetts. Mr. Morrisson." A separate notation by Hannah says "Elizabeth B. Abbot, Baltimore, Dec. 22nd 1840." A wax seal is still attached, resulting in a missing word or two. BHS ID# 948.001.1235.]

Baltimore Dec 22nd, 1840

My dear Hannah,

Will you think I have forgotten you, or that I am lost that I have not before written? But to tell you the truth this is the third letter I have begun, and had no opportunity to send, but one at last presents, & I embrace it most eagerly.

I have seen Mr. Morrisson¹ at church every Sabbath since I came here, and wished much to see him and know him personally, but I hardly expected the opportunity as he did not visit at Mr. Goulds.² Much to my surprise and pleasure he called on Saturday eve'g last with Mr. G's invitation, & kindly offered to take letters to Beverly for me, as he was going to N. Hampshire this week. I told him that Miss Rantoul, one of Miss Lord's³ friends, was inquiring for him in her last letter, at which he seemed much pleased. I was so bashful that I was afraid to talk much about Miss Lord to him, and did not even say that I had the pleasure of an acquaintance with her. How foolish! But such was the fact. I like him much. He appears very intelligent and very modest. Is he going to P_ to get married? I suspected it. I wish it could be the case, for I should like much to visit Miss L. as Mrs. Morrison. He will leave these letters with Mr. Gould in Boston, as it would be troublesome to find some one to take them at our depot, the cars stop such a little while.

It is needless to say that I enjoy myself very much, for you must know that I am so wild, that I am fond of visiting and the like, you know my dear, of which I have enough. I found all my friends glad to see me, and welcomed me as an old friend to Baltimore. They say that I have not altered a whit, not even in height!!! Well, Victoria⁴ is short, that is a consolation. She would not wish to be taller than the queen if they could not!!

O dear!!! Methinks I hear you say "What is the matter now?" I will tell you. An old bachelor, who is the exact likeness of Mr. Pactch⁵ (you see my dear how agitated I must have been when I wrote Patch for I spelt it wrong), has been interrupting me nearly two hours, and what he wants I don't know. He is a Dr. and his name is S. k. i. n. n. e. r.⁶ ha! ha! I do tremble so when an old bachelor comes to see me in Baltimore, for it is the prevailing fashion for them (at this time) to be on the look out for wives, and that is not all. They want young ones. O! my dear, such matches you never heard or read of (even in the times of our Grandmothers) as are taking place here daily. Some old maids, that have refused beaux without number, now condescend to marry a young collegian, not yet begun to study a profession. An instance of that kind occurred last week, and for my part, I consider the young man to be in a pitiable situation. But I will say no more about them, but only take care, & not fall into the old Bachelor's traps myself. How you would laugh to see me settled down with an old bachelor for a husband, and five or six old maiden sisters for companions! May you never have occasion, but rather see me belong to that enviable class old maids.

Where have been my thoughts, that I have not acknowledged the receipt of your kind letter. It did indeed give me great pleasure. It told me that I was not forgotten by one whom I hold most dear.

I received one from E.⁷ at the same time, but how different was it from those of the last winter that I was here. A cold, matter of fact letter such as one would write if they were obliged to. I do not wish to be uncharitable, but really I love E. and wish her to love me as she has done. She has another whom she loves dearly,⁸ & whom she thinks loves her the same. May she not be disappointed. Of that, of course, she is the best judge. I shall not write to her this time.

You will wonder & I will not keep you long in suspense. Mr. Heywood was here on Sunday eve'g and there being much company I did not inquire particularly about E., but he took from his pocket a card, on which was engraved Mrs. E. B. Peabody, done up neatly in an envelope, on which was written in his (Mr. H.) handwriting the following "Mr. P does not wish you to show this card." Now I could not ask him for an explanation, because all eyes were attracted towards us when he handed the paper. I presume they thought it was an offer. Now my dear H., what is the meaning of all this? Is E. married? Or is it secrecy with you. It is a strange and mysterious affair to me, & I wish I could have an explanation. If she says any thing upon your telling her that you have received a letter from me, just say that she is in debt to me, & I will explain the why and wherefore when I do write. Poor E!! I hope it is not a runaway match, but how suspicious!!! Don't mention it to a single person, but keep it as my secret dear, won't you.

I attend Mr. Burnap's⁹ lectures every fortnight, and am delighted with him as a lecturer, much more so than as a preacher. Last Thursday eve'g he was upon "the sphere & duties of woman," and in many places it was very affecting. Took the infant daughter & proceeded through all the different stages, when he left her as a young bride, & will continue it next week. His audience were all attention, and so still that you might almost have heard a whisper. Before Mr. B took upon himself the duties of a lecturer last winter, the Baltimoreans hardly knew what a lecture was, they were so infrequent, but now there are courses all over the city, and it is going to be the means of much good, it is thought. As I wend my way to the lecture room, how often have I thought of our Beverly Lyceum and all its attractions, the merry laugh before the lecture, & the pleasant chit-chat on our way homeward. Such days are not to be forgotten.

My dear H, I have had my miniature taken by the Daguerrotype and such a looking thing you never beheld. Mr. & Mrs. Gould¹⁰ think it is excellent, and it must be. It cannot but be correct taken in that way, but I can't fancy any of them taken in that way. There is no expression to them.

How fortunate I have been in seeing my friends since I arrived here. James Boyden¹¹ looked quite natural, and in fine spirits, appears delighted with the idea of going South, tho it is a pity to keep him from College so long. Then Mr. Heywood! What a treat to see him!! I can truly say that he would have been much more welcome had he brought me letters from my friends, but I presume he did not acquaint them of his coming. Also I have had two visits from Mr. Henry Gardner of Salem. I used to be acquainted with him three years ago but of late have not seen him. He is a very pleasant young man, and his visits gave us all much pleasure. He is now in N. York, but has been to Baltimore twice since I came, and will leave here tomorrow morn'g for that place.

Mr. & Mrs. Gould send their love to you. Please remember me to your Mother¹² & Father.¹³ Also to Jane,¹⁴ and say to her that James Boyden is a fine young man, but not yet in love. You must excuse this letter, as I have three or four more to write, and answer it as soon as possible. The Christmas party, will dine at Mrs. Goulds, but I am not married I would have you know. I will write & tell you all about it in my next. Remember me kindly [_____] my Sunday School teacher your brother,¹⁵ & believe me yours very truly,

Elizabeth

[The following is written at the top of the first page, added after writing the rest of the letter.]

Describe Mr. Lord¹⁶ in your next & I will try and find him out. Also tell me the name of your traveling companion of last summer.

 

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

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