Catharine Maria Sedgwick Online Letters

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 --

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.

1

Lamentations 4:1.

2

Bad feeling, shyness.

3

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