Catharine Maria Sedgwick to Robert Sedgwick I Transcribed by Patricia Kalayjian Transcribed on Primary Source Cooperative 2021

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CMSOL Patricia Kalayjian, Lucinda Damon-Bach, Deborah Gussman 15 August 1813 sedgwick-catharine sedgwick-robert Catharine Maria Sedgwick to Robert Sedgwick I Massachusetts Historical Society Catharine Maria Sedgwick Papers I

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Family Relations (Sedgwick Family) Self-reflection Food and Drink Health and Illness Shopping and Material Exchange Singlehood Courtship Social Life and Networks Friendship Manners Domestic Life and Duties Religion Gender Roles Authorship Travel and Touring, US Updated the TEI header and schema reference to have more regular xml
1 Stockbridge August 15th 1813

I recollect very well my dear Robert that by some confessions of incapacity &c &c I once incurred from you the imputation of affectation -- Taught by that lesson I scarcely dare tell you on this occasion: the Truth the truth nevertheless is, that my vanity was puffed up with vain-glory -- and my heart dilated with real joy by the importance you have given to my letters -- I am satisfied that their importance should be, as it is, the free-gift of your partial affection -- I have felt that in this retirement I had power to gild some of your hours; but never ‘till now did I know dearest Robert that my ‘little beam’ would be noticed in your ‘summer blaze of joy' that the humble offering of a Sister’s heart would be remembered and prized in a region of fashion, of elegance, and of gaiety -- Now that I do know it I set a new value on faculties whose exercise is thus rewarded -- I am satisfied by long and delightful experience that I can never love any body better than my Brothers -- I have no expectation of ever finding their equal in worth and attraction; therefore -- do not be alarmed, I am not on the verge of a vow of celibacy, nor have I the slightest intention of adding any rash resolutions, to the Ghosts of Those, that have been frightened to death by the terrors of maiden-life 2 but therefore I shall never change my condition; until I change my mind -- You will acknowledge dear Robert that notwithstanding the proverbial mutability of a woman’s inclination, the probability is in favor of my continuing to stamp all the coin of my kindness with a Sister’s impress, particularly when you consider that every year depreciates the coin, in the market of matrimony -- -- By the way dear Bob do you know that Frances is suspicious that your regard for our sweet friend Kate, is fast taking the matrimonial hue. I think you cannot have made any definitive determination, in relation to her -- If you had, I should have known it; should I not? I judge you by myself, for I shall never launch my barke, ‘till you lay your blessing on it --

I have been disappointed and grieved, to find my favorite and dearest friend’s character marred by vanity that has not hesitated to sacrifice integrity to its paltry gratification -- I may say, as our great Ames said “I thought she was on an elevation that no such mist would reach” -- “How is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold changed” 1 when we consent to leave the straight onward path of virtue, for the crooked and darkened way of human folly; When we refuse to walk in the clear light 3 of heavenly wisdom, and follow the devices of our own hearts --

I do not mean to treat E’s conduct as seriously as I may seem to. I confess that I was at first indignant that she should appropriate to herself a conquest over the noblest heart in Christendom, and sorrowful that she should violate the principles of friendship, as she did by somethings she said in relation to myself -- We neither of us, I am certain dear Robert harbor a thought or a feeling of resentment, tho’ our admiration must be abated, and our confidence limited -- -- I have most heartily rejoiced in the dawn of her happier prospects, and I have, and still do most fervently pray that she may realize the most flattering visions of hope -- -- -- Thomas W & his Sister passed a day & night with us last week -- She is a promising, tho’ I think not at present, a very interesting girl -- He was in fine spirits, and I thought much improved by a trifling abatement of his metaphysical propensities -- -- He didnot mention E’s name to me! Deterred from it I suppose by what we Yankeys call a sheepish feeling, and the french more elegantly denominate by the term mauvaise honte 2 -- -- -- -- Miss Phillips is on a western tour, & I have strong hopes, that she will take our turnpike on her return -- --

Wednesday Augt 18th

I have been twice obliged to lay aside my letter since I began it, -- Charles received your letter last evening -- On the subject of Miss M, I can only say, that I should very much like an intimate acquaintance with her, but I fear our house will be too full while you are here, to give me the right to ask any one -- Still If you think she would cheerfully submit to the inconveniences that attend crowded bedrooms, and has any inclination to come, you know I shall do all I can to make a visit pleasant 4 to her -- -- . Frances has not been very well since she has been here -- Our Host of Children are well, and not less noisy than usual -- Robert is a charming interesting boy, and as we all agree, your image -- Little Frances has very much improved in good temper since the spring -- Did your ears burn last night dear Bob? We were all at Eliza’s and you was our topic. Your heart would have warmed if you had heard us -- -- -- Susan wishes you to purchase for her a ball of Smiths chymical soap at 4/--. If Mr W has returned my best love to him. Verify your promise dear Robert and be with us soon --

My dear Brother, 1 I am so circumscribed that even inspiration from the Genius of this place cannot on this occasion breathe through me -- Of necessity therefore my business must engross me. Will you ask Marianne & will you give her money to get six quarts of blackberries -- out of which she must boil all the juice clear and when she has strained it -- add one pound of powder Sugar to each pint of juice -- and boil it to a jelly -- this is so very useful that I wish it not to be neglected -- If the blackberries are gone Marianne must send by you some sugar to me.

The juice of the blackberries must be obtained by putting the fruit into a stone pot, covering it tight, and keeping it a kettle of kettle of boiling water ‘till the juice will run off from the fruit 3

Yours tenderly C M Sedgwick --

Insertion 1

PS You may safely urge Miss Mason -- E as C --

Letter

Massachusetts Historical Society

Catharine Maria Sedgwick Papers I

Wax blot and tears; a short message from Charles Sedgwick to Robert appears on page 4.

Robert Sedgwick Esq'/47 Wall Street/New York --

Miss Sedgwick/Rd Augt 21st 1813

to her brother Robert/Short extract

Double vertical lines appear in the left margins on pages 1 and 2.

to her brother Robert/Short extract

Double vertical lines appear in the left margins on pages 1 and 2.

Lamentations 4:1.

Bad feeling, shyness.

The final sentence of the PS on cooking blackberries appears on the first page of the letter, upside down in the top margin.

A A