Elizabeth Abbot to Hannah Rantoul, 26 December 1838

[From Elizabeth in Baltimore, where she was attending school and living with James and Eliza Gould, to Hannah in Beverly. She gives her initial impressions of the "Southern people;" talks about a potential duel between William Peabody and Mr. Harland "on my account;" and describes an enlightening visit to a nunnery.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L. Rantoul, Beverly, Massachusetts." Separate notations by Hannah say "E. B. Abbot, Baltimore, Maryland, Dec. 26th 1838" and "Received from E. B. Abbot, from Baltimore, January 9th 1839, dated Dec. 26th 1838." The red wax seal is still attached, causing a few incomplete/missing words. The first page is embossed with a logo in the upper left, with the text "D & J Ames, Springfield." BHS ID# 948.001.1229.]

Baltimore, December 26th, 1838

Dear Hannah,

Why don't you write me dear girl? Am I thus to be kept in suspense, and not hear one word from you for four weeks? I hope that sickness is not the preventive, is it?

I am enjoying myself finely with the young people of the city, who seem to do all that is in their power to make me at home and contented. My acquaintance is not so extensive as it will be, but twenty five gay and intelligent persons are worth more than fifty the reverse. They are all older than myself, therefore much more advantageous to me.

How different are the manners and customs of the Southern people from those of the North! Sociability here takes the place of that cold and formal reserve which so definitely characterizes a New Englander. I am still one, excepting, that I have learned to use reckon instead of guess. But dear Hannah, I have to turn my words over and over, look through and through them, before I dare to utter. I am naturally a quick scholar, therefore shall not be obliged to remain long in this embarrassing condition.

I have visited the Museum, which is very prettily arranged, and where is exhibited everything from a beautiful painting down to the smallest insect.

I must not neglect to tell you, that I had the pleasure of William Peabody's1 company, for I consider it quite an honor. He has gone to Washington today, the young persons say to fight a duel, with a Mr. Harland,2 on my account. I hope it is not the case, for I have not the least idea of being the means of quarrels, especially of that disgusting kind. At any rate, Mr. Peabody visits here often (if you call once a day so?) now that he has a fortnight's vacation. He is a very fine young man, as well as I can ascertain upon so short an acquaintance, but not the one for me. He is also intelligent; I have heard him converse admirably, but I do not fancy him. He asked for you a short time since, and inquired if you were not very pretty. He is a great favorite at Mt. Hope, where he keeps school, and also among the young ladies of Baltimore. He is certainly very well informed, and his manners very prepossessing.

I suppose your curiosity is excited about this Mr. Harland. I will endeavor to describe him to you. He is not handsome, but a very good looking young man (called to look very much like me), a fine Latin & Greek scholar, a great botanist, and very fond of improving his mind, which he does at every opportunity. I have seen a great deal of him since I came here, as he is one of Mr. Gould's3 favorites, and visits him quite often. It is reported that he is fond of me, but he knows whether it is true, best himself. I will not attempt to tell you.

Dear Hannah, I visited the Nunnery yesterday with a small party, and the Superior and several Nuns condescended to make their appearance. What miserable looking creatures!! I would not enter a Nunnery for anything, that I can think of. One of the young ladies asked the Superior if they would admit her? She asked her what motive she had for so doing. The young lady told her, none at present, but that if she ever was disappointed by the world, she should apply to them. No, she says, I will not admit you, unless from the purest motives of Christianity, for there would be danger of your getting discontented; and one unhappy person would make us all miserable. They looked as if they could not be made more so. Their heads and faces were bound with white linen. No hair was visible, and in fact no forehead, for these bandages came close to the eyes. A black hood was thrown over the back of their heads and their wrapper was of woolen, made very long and lose. I could not look at them without shedding tears, and especially when they told us, that a fortnight since they had admitted a young girl of eighteen among them. She had [____]ken the black veil, never again to go into the world and participate in its pleasures. O! what a melancholy scene was presented to me!!! I think, that the best way of serving God, is by doing good to his creatures. I do not think, that he requires us to seclude ourselves from all his beautiful works, and appear so solemn and retired. In a few weeks I am going to see another young girl of sixteen, take the black veil. Isn't it a sad thing, to think upon? I had a long conversation with Mr. Harland upon this subject, and he suggested to me many new ideas, of which before I was entirely ignorant.

Is Beverly as lively as usual? Are the people like so many crickets, hopping about, and enjoying themselves? Do write and tell me all about them, for as I told you before I am very anxious to hear. Tell me how many parties you have had, and their natures, who were there, who was the belle of the evening, &c. I have been about and had a delightful time. I wish you were here dear Hannah, but I dare not ever think how many miles I am from all of you. I would give a dollar to see you, would you give as much to see me? I don't believe it. I don't think you can love me half as well as I do you. And I know how to value my dear friends now, that I am separated so far from them.

Give my love to your Father4 and Mother,5 and likewise a great deal to Charlotte.6 I do not dissipate all the time, but a good part of it. If I could see you I would kiss you this moment, but alas! I cannot. You must take the wish for the deed, and write to me immediately. Good bye dear girl. I hope to see you at least in a year. Farewell, farewell.

Elizabeth

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

Excuse this letter, for I have seven others to write today. Burn it up, don't show it.

  1. William Frederick Peabody (1817-1890)
  2. Reuben Stump Harlan (1811-1858)
  3. James Gould (1795-1874)
  4. Robert Rantoul (1778-1858), Hannah's father
  5. Joanna Lovett (1780-1848), Hannah's mother
  6. Charlotte Rantoul (1816-1839), Hannah's sister