| Title: | A. A. Longstreet, Georgia to Isabella Allen, Belfast. |
|---|---|
| ID | 3598 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | longstreet, a. a/131 |
| Year | 1839 |
| Sender | Longstreet, A.A. |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | upper-middle class housewife |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Fairview, Georgia, USA |
| Destination | Belfast, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Allen, Isabella |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | D/1558/1/2/43: Presented by the Late F.D. Campbell Allen, Esq., 15 London Rd., Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex, England. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9804179 |
| Date | 10/08/1839 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 08:04:98. |
| Word Count | 1335 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Fairview August 10th 1839. My Dear Mrs Allen My patience is completely exhausted waiting for a reply to my last letter. The Atlantic (much as it has her conpriped by steam) is too wide, or you are too tardy in your answers, I can wait no longer and therefore must despatch this forthwith to enquire after your welfare - Hold your ear close and let me whisper a piece of advice, if you don't answer this immediately I will send another and yet another; so in self defence you had better take up your weapon and throw pen full after penfull of ink at me; for I assure you I am not to be passed by in "silent contempt". My first inquiry shall be after your own precious health, which I, indeed all of us, sincerely hope is completely restored, and that now you are able to take (all jesting aside) those favorite walks around Dear Larne which you did, with so much glee, not long ago. The last time I wrote, it was just a few days after the "destroying angel" had consigned One dear to all, to his narrow home. Ah! could you see his poor striken Wife you would "weep with her tear for tear." Although nearly two months have elapsed since Mr Edgar was removed to a "better world" Cousin Anna seems to mourn his loss every day more and more. Her health seems gradually yet surely to decline and God only knows but what she may soon be beside her Beloved Partner, which seems now to be her only desire. Cousin Oswell Carmichael finding his health did not improve in Paris left there before the news of Mr Edgar's death reached him, He is now looked for daily. All your friends and kinsfolk (if you claim any as such in the wilds of G. [Georgia?]) are quite well and moving on in the same way as when you left here. I have fallen desperately in love with Mrs Henry lately and you know the reason, only that she always enquires particularly after you wherever we meet. If strangers have not forgotten you, how could the Christians of Fairview, and least of all myself cease to remember you. The heat has been so unheard (or felt) of [opprepise ?] that we have had sometimes this summer to keep the thermometer in ice water to prevent the mercury from breaking the glass at the top and running out and if we desire "tired nature's sweet restorer" it can only be obtained by fanning ourselves toute la nuit. Besides the heat we are serenaded (now serenades are pleasant enough when "Oft in the Stally Night" or "Fly to the Desert" are the songs) by a full band of, not interesting young gentlemen, but Musketers (I was afraid you would not comprehend me if I spelt them correctly). Aunt, Uncle, and myself, with one or two Darkies intend leaving here in a few days for the upper part of this "glorious, free and enlightened State." The object of the two former is to behold all the curiosities they can. Mine, "whisper it not in Bath, tell it not in Askelon" is to look for my missionary - I am not near so particular now as I used to be in my juvenile days don't care whether he be long or short, rich or poor, a Mamba or a William Jones in intellect. You would give two shrieks of laughter if I told you who was coming to see me now. If he makes his "overtures acceptable" although if that be the case "A change will have to come over the spirit of my dreams" be assured I shall not be tardy in acquainting you and Mr Allen and Kate with all the arrangements. Do not "wipe away a tear of regret" when I tell you that the Plowtero Hotel was destroyed by conflagration a few months since. Mr Fauger and his stick had been so much accustomed to walking up there that it was more than a week before they learned to turn in to the "United States." I know it will astonish Mr Allen to learn that his particular Friend, Mr Harper still belongs to that fraternity of cliped Bachelors - and it will amaze him powerfully (as we G.s [Georgians?] say) to hear that he is likely to continue so. Your dear Cousin Mrs H. Bryson and family are quite well. She is beginning to become reconciled with this place and finds the natives not quite as dark as she expected, but lies in hopes of visiting "that Gem in the midst of the Ocean" next summer, Mr B. [Bryson?] does not look well this summer. The other Mrs B. [Bryson?] and children are well and desire to be kindly remembered to you. Mr I. Davidson Report says intends leading two Miss Gardners to the Lymenial alter before long. Now how he will manage or whether it is untrue I refer you to Old father Time for more particulars. I cheated a poor little country cracker the other day out of three mocking birds, of course they were named, Rosa, Eliza and Bella but as "cheating never thrives" they all committed Infanticide yesterday leaving me like a mourning One to deplore their loss. Aunt Adams and all the Cottagers send a bundle of love to you. Mary Louisa is employing her talent this summer in instructing the younger branches of the family. I never see her but what I request her to play "A moment there is". Do you recollect one day I asked you very innocently when "this moment was," and you, because you happened to know when it was, turned round with a very dignified air and replied "I suppose there is a variety of opinion on that subject". Since then I have found out, that my " passions are sluping" art when dreaming of you - not when thinking of the Sandwich Islands - but when eating a cool water melon while the mercury stands at 98 degrees, with one of your beautiful knives and forks. We hear frequently from Our Virginia friends, Abingdon has been remarkably unhealthy this season, Aunt Emma is quite tired of staying there, indeed I think they are all becoming weary to taking such a journey annually. Uncle Smith will I presume purchase some place in the upper counties to spend his summers. The "General" has been very sick but when we last heard he was much better. Every one of the girls even Anne are still Old Maids. They are reading "Josephus" this summer. I commenced it but the work was too stupendous for my poor intellect. I intend taking "our own truthtelling Stephens of whom New York may will be proud" to repenise on the road. Uncle Paul and Aunt Louisa (you see I am imposing on you an account of all my relatives) are at Paris, they intend taking a tour through Switzerland, Up the Rhine, visit E. [England ?] S. [Scotland ?] and Ireland before they return home. How I envy them their delightful trip. I still cherish the hope of taking it, and seeing you again before I die. Did Rosa lease as she expected? How is she pleased? When will she come to Augusta? Hannah is by my side and says I must tell you her hair is turning black. I wish you could see the beautiful sky I am now beholding. It is not one of the "tame domestic" "darkly, deeply beautifully" blue ones but it is one of those picturesque, showery ones such as is constantly hanging over devoted Larne. My best respects to your Mother and Father, Mr & Mrs Porter. Regards to your Sisters - Aunt unites with me in sending this letter full to overflowing with love warm, and fresh to you - Kiss and tickle all the children for me - Both respects and Regards to Mr Allen - Yours teeming with affection. A. A. Longstreet. |
