Volume II Part 23 (1/2)
Elizabeth came to see us, Tuesday afternoon, and brought some more books. I proposed that she should take advantage of our escort to Concord; but she says she cannot be ready before the first week of September.
It is time we were gone from hence; for everybody seems to have found us out, and Julian says the boys shout at him from the cliffs, crying ”Mr. Hawthorne! Mr. Hawthorne!!” I don't know whether they mistake him for his father, or pay him these courteous attentions on his own account.
You may await tea for us on Sat.u.r.day--unless the old people chance to be very hungry.
With utmost love, N. H.
TO MRS. HAWTHORNE
(Letter 50--written by Julian Hawthorne, and continued by N. H.; no date or superscription.)
w.i.l.l.y has been making a topmast for his s.h.i.+p, but by the way I have forgot about his s.h.i.+p. He made it and it is 29 inches long, and about three tuns. He has made a beautiful solid balance for it and he says it looks just like a real s.h.i.+p he has made or is going to make
_Dearest Wife_,
Julian did not finish his letter; but I suppose thou wilt be glad to receive it, such as it is. It rains again most horribly to-day; so that I have been obliged to leave him at home, where he finds society enough and the greatest kindness. I believe I told you, in one of my former letters, that he has quite left off hunching his shoulders. He has complained of the headache, now and then, but not often; and Dr.
Dryasdust has promised to take him in hand, and entirely refit him--that is, if he prove to be out of repair.
Do not forget to tell me whether Mr. Westen's coal-bill was paid.
I hoped to have received letters from thee by the Cintra, which arrived here day before yesterday, having left Lisbon on the 15th. She reports the Madrid as having arrived on the Friday after sailing. I long to know whether thy cough yet begins to be benefitted by the suns.h.i.+ne, and whether thou findest again the elasticity of frame and spirit, which thou leftest behind in America. Since thou hast departed, I sometimes feel a strange yearning for the Wayside, and wish that our wanderings were over, and all of us happy together in that wretched old house.
THINE OWN OWNEST.
TO MRS. HAWTHORNE
Continental Hotel, _Philadelphia_, March 9th, '62
_Dearest Wife_,
Wis.h.i.+ng to spend a little while in New York, we did not leave there till 2 o'clock, yesterday, and so are not yet in Was.h.i.+ngton. I had a pleasant time in New York, and went on Friday evening, by invitation, to the Century Club, where I met various artists and literary people.
The next forenoon, Ticknor strolled round among his acquaintances, taking me with him. Nothing remarkable happened, save that my poor old bedevilled phizmahogany was seized upon and photographed for a stereoscope; and as far as I could judge from the negative, it threatens to be fearfully like.
The weather here is very warm and pleasant; there are no traces of snow and it seems like the latter end of April. I feel perfectly well, and have a great appet.i.te. The farther we go, the deeper grows the rumble and grumble of the coming storm, and I think the two armies are only waiting our arrival to begin.
We expect to leave Philadelphia at 8 tomorrow morning, and shall reach Was.h.i.+ngton at 6 o'clock P.M. It I have an opportunity, I shall send off Una's note the same evening, but cannot tell how.
TO MRS. HAWTHORNE