Latest revision as of 12:17, 14 August 2017

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via Scotia [underscored] 5 Hanover St. 29 June 1863 Monday – 3 1/4 p.m.

Dear Ann

Enclosed is a letter from Louisa [Maury] which I rec[eive]d today in one of 20 June from Rutson [Jr]

I had much to do on Saturday, after the mail for the City of N[ew] York had closed at 10 1/2 a.m..

I had to read your letter of 11/12th inst [11/12 June] via Canada, & the 2 long ones enclosed in it from Mytton to you, which I found very entertaining. I wrote a a letter to David Spence at Boston, enclosing 3 for him via Canada, & sending him a message to deliver to Mr. Mather. – I wrote to Mrs. Ehnin= =ger (the 3rd to her in 1 week) saying Matthew was to be back that day: - also a note to one of Mr. Hodgson’s friends: and, last to be named, but first in importance, I sold 219 bales Cotton, because required to do so by T. & H. Littledale’s letter via Canada, & got, as I fancy, about as good a price as Matthew could have got, had he been on the spot.

I accomplished all to my satisfaction, & in time to join Sarah at an early dinner at 3 p.m., & to start with here (at 3 1/2 p.m.) in one of J & J King’s carriages for the R[ail] R[oad] depot in 30th or 41st St. – I felt that it was too hazardous to speculate in finding an omni= =but, as I was detained down town some 20 minutes later that I intended. – We thus reached the Station comfortably, a few min= =utes before 4, but found the cars very crowd =ed; - happily, however, after trying in vain to find a seat near Sarah, or in deed any seat at all for myself, they put on an addition =al car, into which S[arah] & I moved, & selected the escort positon as desired, but we had to

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vacate it at some station this side of Hastings [Hastings on the Hudson, NY], & were then not as well fixed. However we did well enough. – Sarah employed most of the time on the journey in reading your letter & the 2 to you from Mytton, before we had to get into the crowded car. –

We got to Hastings about 5.10; & found John Draper there with the carriage: - & at the house we were rec[eive]d by all the rest of the family, except the Dr. himself, who had gone to Staten Island [NY], & did not get home until we were all in the observatory, & I had got thro’ my Lunar Observations. –

About 10 minutes after we reached the house, we were ushered into dinner; so we ought not to have dined before we started. – Nothing could be kinder than our reception. – I was treated as the distinguished guest, & consequently lodged in the State [underscored] bed-chamber – as I suppose – the apartment you enter from the drawing room; but I feat that in so large a family, some others must have been inconvenienced in order to give up that roomy apartment to me. –

My dutiful niece (that is to be) [Virginia Draper] took me under her especial charge; & then we wandered about the garden (plucking cherries) & into other parts of the grounds after dinner. – She shewed me a prized little packet, that day rec[eive]d via Canada – a letter of 24 pages [’24 pages’ underscored] from Mytton, but did not enter partic= =ulars of what he had written. – As soon as it was dark, we entered the Observatory, & Henry soon arranged everything; & he then summoned me to his side. We could not possibly have had a finer night for the purpose: & he was most attentive & kind in explaining things to me.

It was the first time I had ever looked at the

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at the moon thro’ a good telescope, & never before by [struck-through] thro’ one of that class. – I saw everything to perfection; but the effect on me was sad & solemn – for it produced the impression of gazing, as it were, upon a ruined world [‘ruined world’ underscored] – as our Earth would appear after being destroyed by internal & external [force?]!

After I had had my fill of gazing on the Moon, I took a seat in the Laboratory & talked with Dr. Draper for a while, & with Virginia. – Before he joined me she had asked me if I had yet seen her fathers new book “The Intellectual Development of Europe,” which she said was very interesting. I said I had not: and this morning when I asked him by whom it is published, he made me a present of a copy of it, after writing on a blank page. – “Rutson Maury, Es[q]uire- with the best regards of the Author.”

We breakfasted at 1/2 past 8 yesterday morning; & about 9, or soon after, Virginia & I went on afoot towards church at Irvington, but before we had proceeded more than about 1 1/2 mile, the carriage overtook us with only Sarah & the younger Miss Draper inside, & we got into it too. It was a small primitive church, but not a primitive congregation; for I thought I recognized many of the 5th Avenue folks. We got there but little before the service be- -gan; but got good place, & I was seated on the [struck-through] a bench fronting the chancel; - & next but one to me was the renowned Major Anderson [‘Major Anderson’ underscored] – whose manner I could not but observe was just what I would have expected – very devout. [‘very devout’ underscored] - I made out the service very well, but rather with the eye (like Mrs. [Pierson?] Hardy) than with the ear.

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I could not hear a word of the sermon (by a Mr. Mac [Vickar?]) & those who did, told me I had no loss. – We all 4 rode back; & the dinner was at 1, or half past. – Some while after dinner, Henry Draper invited me to take a seat in the summer house; & I then lighted a cigar & had, as Madame De Stael would have said, much interesting con= =versation with him; but altho’ I was the chief talker, I was impressed with many of his re= =marks; some of which shewed that in his studies he had not neglected [Practical?] Econ= =omy & finance. – We presently took a stroll about the grounds, & were joined by his Father, & John & Daniel; & we 5 sat soon on the grass under the shade of some trees, at a spot where there is one of their prettiest views, looking up the river at the Tappan Sea. [Zee] – The view was delightful; & we talked & “whittled” – for an hour or two. After that we walked in the garden, the Dr. taking me under his special charge until T[ea]

We retired early to bed – about 9, as we were to breakfast early, say before 7; & I was all ready for it before it was ready. Then the carriage drove to the door, & wishing the rest good bye, we reached the Station – the Dr. & John Sarah & I just in time to start at 7 1/2 a.m. -the Dr. paying our fares, 40c each, & refusing all my attempts to refund him. The Dr. & his son John went on to Chambers St. or some lower Station, I think, & Sarah & I got out at 30th St. where we squeezed ourselves into a [bus?], & reached 4th St. a few minutes before 9, & found the 2 W’s [William & Walker] at their pipes after breakfast.

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(5) Monday night – The preceding 2 pages were written after my walking up to 30th St. & back since T[ea]; for I rode both down & up today.

Sarah left at noon today for “Dunnington.”

I found Matthew at the office, with plenty to occupy him until about 3, when he read your letter & Mytton’s 2 to you, & I gave them to him to take home for the edification of the ladies.

He says he & Elizabeth & Mary will not be ready to go with Mrs. & Miss Gilpin to Cornwall [NY] on Wednes= =day; but James will be their escort, & the rest will follow later in the week.

I called in Irving Place & sat for 20 minutes or so, on my way back from 30th St. & saw them all but Mary, who I suppose was busy packing things up stairs to go to Cornwall, as James was busy too, writing cards with “Maury – Cornwall” on them to be fixed to the trunks etc. – Elizabeth seemed quite hearty & in fine spirits. – They reached Hornells- =ville [ Steuben County, NY] (over 300 miles in 11 hours) the first day & so they spent 2 nights there, before turning back.

Since I got home I have been reading the Express pretty thoroughly; & it has been a painful [underscored] task,

from the nature of the mater therein in rela

=tion to the War. – Matters are going on badly in Louisiana, as well as on this side of the Potomac. [River] How Gen[era]l Mead will acquit himself, as Hooker’s successor, I cannot say: - nor anyone else. All I know is that almost all in the milita= ry.

[Marginalia – left side] I didn’t suppose Jody will stir from home during these times.

[Marginalia – top of page]

June Min[imu]m Max[imim]

23 60 1/2 [1/2 struck-through] 72 1/2 24 63 1/2 75 1/2 25 64 1/2 77 1/2 26 65 73 27 62 76 28 63 76 29 64 73 1/2 30 67 79 July 1 68

Mortality in [18]63 weeks ending June 27th 407 Same week in ’62 361 “ ’61 455 “ ’60 362 “ ’59 389 “ ’58 447

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=ry point of view, has gone on badly ever since the [?] Emancipation Proclamation & the dis= =missal of [General] McClellan – i.e. ever since Mr. Lincoln obeyed the biddings of Horace Greeley & the Abolitionists –

Certainly the present aspect of affairs on this side the Potomac is most humiliating & most disgraceful. –

30th Tuesday 8 1/2 p.m. – I have just returned from Irving Place, where I walked up after dinner to to read to them your letter of 16th inst. [16 June) via City of Balt[imor]e & Mytton’s to you of the 15th enclosed therein & to give to Mary your little note to her. – She was out; & my ad [struck-through] audience consisted of Mrs. Gilpin, Eliza- -beth & Matthew. – I did not get these letters until after M[atthew] had left the office, & did not read them until after dinner; & they were read by the 2 W’s [William and Walker] before I went up to Irving Place. There was in your letter a wee note for Walker, which I gave him at the office, & I believe he read it there & then. –

I could have liked to lay before Dr. Morgan your notes and comments as to St. Tho[ma]s [church] which I think excellent – perhaps it is because they accord so entirely with my own ideas. But it would do no good inasmuch as he & the Vestry are determined on taking every advantage over us that they can, according to law. –

I also had somehow imagined there would be a legacy from Marg[are]t Wakefield to Mary Bold, & am sorry there is not. –

As I read Mytton’s letter aloud, Matthew pointed up to the Heversham [Cumbria, England] picture, when Scaw Fell [Sca Fell] & Hampton Cray were named. – My acquaintance with the Lakes was chiefly gathered in 1830 (I think) when Kerr Ewart & I walked over much

[Marginalia – left side] 30th The Income Tax papers for you & me dated 29 June were left here today to be returned in 60 days. –

[Marginalia – right side] I hope you will accept Mr. & Mrs. Rodewald’s invitation, for you will like them both.

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the same ground as Mytton; & the rest was made when we were the guests of the Croppers at Pool Wyke Bay in [18]45. – Those were my only wanderings about the Lakes; [Lake District National Park] & most of the spots Mytton names are familiar by name & by actual experience also. He was not as enraptured with Keswick as I was at his age.

Aunt Elizabeth pronounces his letter to be a “very nice” one; but it is not nearly as entertaining, I think, as the other two. – We are all pleased to hear so satisfactory a report of his first sermon. –

I must send these letters rec[eive]d to-day to Sarah.

There was a little bit of a note from her to W[illia]m that he found here on coming up to dinner. She says she arrived at “Dunnington” safe & sound, without and adventures, but finds she has left some of her wardrobe behind her that she had intended ta= =king - & specifies a new dress trimmed with

     the

velvet, ^ sleeves of which are not yet made,& requests Anne to find it & pack it up, & W[illia]m to send it to her, care of N. B. Weed, by Express. Anne has done her part; & W[illia]m I suppose will do his tomorrow.

When I returned from Irving Place, the dinner table was covered with some new Summer Clothes he has had made. [underscored] – Had it been me, they would have been bought ready[undescored]-made: - but I didn’t tell him so. –

10 3/4 p.m. Since ending the last sentence I have taken another walk – up 5th Av[enu]e to 20th St. & back – thus making 3 1/2 miles since dinner, because I rode both ways between breakfast & dinner. It is a most lovely night, a full moon, without a cloud in the sky, wind S[outh] & a pleasant breeze. The temperature inside the house under the Barom= =eter almost 73 [degrees]

About 3 p.m. or near it, among the letters via City of Balt[imor]e, we rec[eive]d one from T & H Littledale & Co.

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requesting us to return a certain lot of 50 bales Cotton to L[iver]pool forthwith, unless we could sell it so as to net 20d [pence] plb [per pound]: All hands set to work upon the cal= =culation, & it was found that 61c would do it, & before Matthew went to dinner at 1/2 past 4, the cotton was sold to a Spinner at 62c. Had we retuned the Cotton our commission would have been on $50: as it is it will amount to $150.

I think that Matthew must be glad that he did not pursue his journey towards St. Paul [Minn.]

Elizabeth & Mary are to go to Cornwall on Thursday; & I fancy Matthew will accompany therm. –

Another steamer arrived from N[ew] O[rleans] today, & bro[ugh]t me a letter from Rutson of 23rd inst [23 June] advising his monthly d[ra]ft on behalf of Ja[me]s & himself at 1 d[ra]ft for $250, which was presented paid before 3 p.m.

We remit T & H Littledale & Co., by this steamer £4,000 (at 161%) in anticipation of Cotton sold on Saturday last & not yet paid for, & have bargain- -ed for £3300 more, on same terms, to be rec[eive]d & paid for within 10 days. – The commission on 270 bales Cotton sold Sat[urday] & today will be about $800. And 400 bales consigned to us from L[iver]pool are now landing, or will be tomorrow or next day, & these will yield I suppose upwards of $1200 further commission.

The Country Ea [struck-through] Westward of the Miss[issipp]i is now being reoccupied with Confederate bands; - a sad prospect for Mr. & Mrs Cox, & other planters, who have sworn allegiance to the U[nited] S[tates]!!! – The rebels & rebel sympathisers are now calculating upon the recapture of N[ew] O[orleans]. – If so, perhaps Mrs. Pollard will regret the departure of 2 of her daughters.

It is said the banks & Bankers at Phil[adelphi]a today were busy removing their Bullion. – I suppose to N[ew] York. It seems to me that even now there is great apathy in N[ew] York, as to rendering aid to P[ennsylvani]a. The chief ex=

[Marginalia] =citement is found in William St. – yours affectionately R[utson] Maury

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(from Miss Virginia [Draper]) Dear Mr. Maury

I rec[eive]d your note & thank you for the “Lines” you en= =closed. – I have met with them before, but did not have a copy, & am very glad to become possessed of one. It you have Mrs. [Elizabeth Barrett] Browning’s “Lost Bower” in the Library, would you be so kink as lend it to me? You could perhaps bring it on Saturday when you come here. \ I have had two letters from Mytton; -one written on the 26th of last, & the other the 5th of this month. He acknowledges two of my letters & de= =sires me, until further notice, to direct to 12 Bloom St. Fountain[e]’s abode. – Entre nous, [between us] I think he is every day more fascinated with England, but it is quite natural that every one should love their native land the best, & it is a beautiful Country. \ I suppose you will come in the train which leaves 30th St at 4 o’clock. The carriage will be at the depot to meet you Your affectionately Virginia Draper June 22nd

From Harriet (rec[eive]d 23 June) St. Louis 19 June – My dear Uncle Rutson – Thank you for the budget (your Sedgwick of 28/29 May being part of it) “I am glad Aunt’s (Ann) eye is improving - & glad, indeed – very thankful, to [struck-through] to hear so good an account of Nan.” (p[er] 11th May letter to Sarah) “We have read Lewis’ [Captain William Lewis Maury] name in the papers in connection with the [Confederate Steamer] Georgia – I hope Aunt’s letters arrived safely.“ (the past terra forma letter from you that lay a week inside her portfolio.) “On Thursday =day I had a letter from Frank [her husband] to say he was likely to remain at Still-water [Minn.] 3 weeks longer, to superintend the rafting of some Pine logs, in which 2 other saw mill proprietors [..o?] share. So he

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wishes to say I must [underscored] take the first boat to St. Pauls, & join him there. He writes that it is a delightful spot. “Barkis is will wil= =ling.” (One of Dickens’ characters). “So tomorrow afternoon, at 4 o’clock, I, Minor, the baby & nurse are to start in the “Sucker State,” a very fine boat, with a Capt[ai]n of excellent reputation. We shall go in her as far as Dav= =enport [Iowa], & there Capt[ain] Ward will put us on board the small steamer for St. Pauls [Minn.]. Father will telegraph Frank, who will meet us there, & after seeing St. Anthon =y’s falls [Minneapolis] we shall go to Stillwarter, & ruralize at the country tavern where he is staying, & walk, & fish, & drive about for a week, & then return home.

Corny goes on Tuesday with the Bensons – a gay party. Perhaps we shall all return together – I am very glad of the trip. I hope it will agree agree [struck-through] with little Nannie \ I have been very busy preserving gooseberries from our own garden. We gather a saucer of Raspberries every day. Yesterday we had a few white currants. Tomorrow we shall have Rhubarb again & peas. We had had new Potatoes once. Frank & Molly ae like Job, afflicted with boils. They look well & appear to be quite well, in spite of it. Molly is too fat. Maggy thinks her health requires a change of air etc. as much much [struck-through] as Minor’s does. She says she’s not strong, [‘not strong’ underscored] & has sud= =den pains in head, & back & leg. – but it wont do. – Franky is at home now for the holidays. He & Maggy play very happily together” (Uncle R[utson] hopes they won’t be getting into any serious mischief again during their mother’s absence) “We had 3 very hot days this week. Today is very pleasant again.

How delightful if we should meet Uncle Matthew & party at St. Paul! – If they are there while we are at Stillwater, I hope they will write to us at Stillwater. \ Father hopes to go to N[ew] York in August. If he goes he will take Sophie – Love to James William & Walker. Thank him (Walker) for his Last “favor” I hope to write the next letter to you form Still water Love to Aunt [Ann] when you write.

your very affectionate niece H[arriet] Ludlow