studied, & recited, three geography lessons & heard the history twice,
We have this week been comparing the towns of America with those of
Europe, the rivers also.
_Saturday 9th_, Have written a composition, visited two afternoons,
one at Mrs. Adam’s with Clarinda Austin, spent the afternoon very
agreeably, In the evening Mr. Stanly was there, his manners are
genteel and agreeable, but I am afraid that beneath a form so
beautiful is concealed a vile heart, I think I should not like such a
constant succession of company as they have at Mrs. Adam’s. But
perhaps I shall think differently when I consider myself grown up, the
other afternoon I visited at Mr. Holmes with Cornelia & Maria Adam’s,
had a very agreeable visit indeed, the company were very sociable &
Miss Chandler in particular, who was more Loquacious than ever,
returned home at nine, the remainder of the week I studied geography,
and drew, Miss Pierce has seen no fault in me for the week past.
* * * * *
_Saturday 16th_, Have for the week past been studying geography & Miss
Pierce has been examining us every day, the evenings I have spent in
studying.
* * * * *
_Monday_ Wrote geography, _Tuesday_, the same, visited at Miss
Pierce’s, had a very agreeable visit, spent the remainder of the week
in studying geography....
[_Letter from Lucy Sheldon to her mother, addressed “Mrs. Huldah
Sheldon, Litchfield.”_]
NEW YORK November 29th (1803)
MY DEAR MAMA.
We did not get away from Litchfield till ten o’clock, the stage was
very much loaded with baggage and besides that, there were twelve
passengers—at Watertown there were two got out. I did not stop at
Uncle Cutlers, because the stage drove on, We arrived at New Haven
about half after eight called for at supper at Butlers, and after
eating as many oysters and other good things as we could went directly
on board a packet, there was no wind and we could not sail, we stayed
in the packet that night, and the next morning went on shore. I do not
like New Haven much better than Hartford, it may be a pleasanter
summer residence but I should prefer Hartford in the winter, and like
Litchfield better than either, I dined at Mrs. Twining’s, and went to
Mrs. Goodrich’s in the evening, because we expected to sail, but the
wind proving contrary I stay’d with Susan. Mrs. Twining was very kind
to me, and I think Mr. Goodrich’s a very agreeable family, The next
day about eleven the Captain sent for us and we went on board again,
but we did not sail till evening—I was very sick all the next day and
did not get out of my berth till night, the sailors said we should go
thro hell gate in a few moments so I went upon deck but as it was high
water I could not see any thing of any consequence—we arrived in New
York at Nine o’clock—and I assure you I was very glad to get on the
shore, As Aunt Leavenworths was some ways from Burling Slip the place
where we landed, I went to Mr. Hopkin’s, and staid that night, and the
next morning went to aunt L—— she has a most delightful situation on
the bank of the river—and I am certain I shall not be homesick,
yesterday Aunt, and Myself, went a shopping. I believe I shall never
learn to go alone, there are so many thousand streets here, I believe
it would not be a very good place for Harry, his head would be turned
in less than two hours, he would however be very much diverted, and so
was I yesterday to see the old women sitting in the market and so many
thousand ugly faces and dresses passing you constantly Harry’s money
would not last long here for you cannot go any where without seeing
some very pretty playthings or something very good to eat. I have not
seen the girls of my acquaintance, yet but as soon as I get my cloaths
made I shall call on them, then Mr. M^cCrackan was here last night, he
said that Aunt Hopkins and the child were well, but Nancy was not she
had a cough but they supposed it was only occasioned, by a cold, tell
Miss Mary Pierce that I am not homesick, but shall expect to see her
here soon I have not seen her brother yet, she said I should be
frightened with the singing of the chimney sweepers, but I am not, at
all, I hear them go past all the time but I have not seen one yet—be
kind enough to give my love to all the girls and tell them, that tho I
have got to be a _City Lady_ I think of them very often and wish to
see them very much—that I should certainly write them, but I am afraid
Mr. Hopkin’s will go, but they must not fail to write by Miss
Mary—give my love to Papa and all the family. I want to see little
William. very much, you must not let him forget sister Tuty present my
love to all who enquire after me—The weather looks very much like snow
this morning—I suppose Frederick is not sorry—as he will probably
enjoy much pleasure, in gallanting the girls about in our little sley
this winter do make him and Harry write and tell me everything that
has happened since I came away I suppose you had the honor of Mr.
Nash’s company to dine with you on thanks giving day—Aunt Leavenworth
is _pretty_ well and sends her love she would write but thinks it
unnecessary as I have written you so particular—adieu Mama, and
believe me to be ever your affectionate and dutiful daughter
L. SHELDON.
I fear I shall want some more money.
[_Reply addressed Miss Lucy Sheldon, New York._]
LITCHFIELD December 14th, 1803
MY DEAR CHILD:
I neglect no opportunity to let you know we are all well, and think of
you pretty often we received your letter by mail, but not before Miss
Mary was gone and as I do not like to trouble Mr. Allen. with a bundle
shall send the muslin you mentioned next week by the Mail, you will
see I cut William a shirt from one of the breadths, and fear I have
spoiled it, but since I do not know what use you want to make of it,
shall send it as it is. Miss Pierce has begun her winter school which
is so small that she keeps in her dining-room and probably will unless
more come than she expects, Mrs. Dr. Smith drank tea with us this
afternoon and Betsey & Polly Sanders are here at work and have been
here till I am quite tired of them, you must write me more particular
what you are adoing from the time you get up till you go to bed, and
what time in the morning you get up, and what your Aunt is doing and
where she is, and everything you can think off I shall read it with
pleasure let it be ever so trifling, you will not forget to remember
me to your Uncle & Aunt
I am your affectionate
Mamma
HULDAH. SHELDON
Both of these letters were sent by private hand.
EXTRACTS FROM HER COMMONPLACE BOOK.
In Lucy Sheldon’s Commonplace Book, where we find but one date,
September 12, 1811, there are selections from “Christian Morals,” Hannah
More, Montgomery, Milton, Pope, Young, Miss Porter, Scott, Sir John
Suckling, Sheridan, Thomas Moore, Burns, Stewart, Swift, Burke, Doctor
Johnson, Goldsmith, Shakespeare, Cowper, Thompson, Chesterfield,
Shenstone, Dryden, Ossian, Bolingbroke, Grattan, Anthony Pasquin,
Savage, Curran, The Spectator, Dean Kirwan, Blair, Doctor Cotton, John
Howard Payne, Mrs. Opie.
[_Acrostic written to Miss Sheldon, by John Pierpont._]
A CHARACTER.
Like the valley’s soft lily sweet modesty’s flow’r,
Under virtues mild care L—— days happy flow,
Cupids bow shines resplendent & graces her bow’r,
Youth, Science and Beauty rejoice on her brow.
· · · · ·
Lucy, how emmulous is each
To swell your treasury by a mite!
Here poets sing, here sages teach,
And wits here sparkle, in your sight.
Each hand assiduous, culls a flow’r,
To blush in your Pierian wreath,
And o’er your brow in musing hour,
The sweets of Poesy to breath.
And why with emulative zeal,
This garland, do we thus entwine?
’Tis for the fair whose soul can feel,
Whose taste can relish, lays divine
’Tis for the fair, whose modest eye,
Approves when beams of Genius shine,
The poets sing, that lovers sigh,
And we this garland thus entwine.
JOHN PIERPONT.
Judge Tapping Reeve writes:
When my Lucy calls to mind the unnumbered blessings which God her
Maker & Redeemer bestows upon her midst the comforts of this life,
born & educated in a land where the pure precepts of the blessed
gospel are constantly inculcated, will she not adopt with gratitude
the language of the poet
“My days unclouded as they pass
“And every gentle rolling hour
“Are monuments of wondrous grace
“And witness to thy love & power.
If the opportunities afforded to her for the acquisition of whatever
is valuable & ornamental are improved for the purposes of elevatedness
of heart to God, they will indeed be blessings, the language of her
heart will be “_thy will be done_,” the poets language will accord
with her feelings
“Seal my forgiveness, in the blood
“Of Jesus his dear name alone
“I plead for pardon gracious God
“And kind acceptance at thy throne.
Judge James Gould quotes a passage from Pope’s Iliad; Mrs. Elizabeth
(Burr) Reeve quotes verses; Miss C. A. Austin quotes from Fessenden:
A deficit of Cash is
An obstacle to cutting Dashes.
Augustus Hillhouse adds a poem on Despair; Miss Amelia Ogden adds
several quotations; Miss M. Tallmadge quotes from Mrs. Opie; Miss M.
Baldwin quotes from Logan; Mr. Pierce quotes from “World without Souls.”
At the end of one collection are the following conundrums:
Why is a school master like Orpheus,
Because he strikes the trembling liar
What colour is the wind, what colour is the storm
The wind blew and the storm rose
Why is a sidesaddle like a four quart measure
Because it holds a Gallon.
When an American or an Englishmen leaves his country, he says farewell
my native land——
An Irishman says Jesus be with you, this day & forever sweet Ireland
my country
Letter written by Lucy Sheldon to her brother Henry just after the death
of another brother, William, in Paris. Daniel was Secretary of Legation
at the Court of France under Albert Gallatin.
LITCHFIELD August 7th, 1826
MY DEAR HENRY,—