Octavia.
Bath, October, Sunday.
After a fortnight very pleasantly spent in Wiscassett I return to Bath.
In my last I mentioned that Judge Lowell’s family were expected in
Wiscassett; they came immediately after, and Eliza, the youngest,
brought letters from Ellen Coffin, thus I very readily got acquainted
with them. Judge Lowell appears to be one of the mildest, most amiable
men I ever saw. Mrs. Lowell is a fine ladylike woman, yet her manners
are such as would have been admired 50 years ago, there is too much
appearance of whalebone and buckram to please the depraved taste of the
present age. Nanny L., the oldest daughter, is animated, sensible,
enthusiastic, and very easy and pleasing in her conversation and
manners, you would be delighted with her conversation—’tis elegant and
refined, she has no airs. Eliza is a little, charming, sweet creature,
she is about 17 or 18, short, fat, and a blooming complexion, handsome
blue eyes, light hair, beautiful dimples, artless and unaffected in her
manners,—indeed I was delighted with her, she is so perfectly amiable in
her appearance. I was much pleased at an acquaintance with them. At
Wiscassett I was invited to accompany them to Bath, as they were going
in a boat. I accepted with pleasure. In the morning, which was Monday,
they called for me and I went with them as far as Tincham’s where they
kept; at last, after a long debate, it was thought too hazardous to go
by water while the wind blew so violently, ’twas determined to go by
land. Mr. Lee took the two Miss Lowells and myself in his carriage,
which holds 4 very charmingly. Judge Lowell and wife in a chaise with a
boy to carry it back. Judge Bourne in a chair with a boy, and Mr.
Merrill on horseback. About 5 miles on our way Mr. Lee took Mr.
Merrill’s horse and he sat in with us, and he sang us a number of songs;
we had a charming time. At the ferry Mr. Lee, Mr. Merrill, and the boys
with the chaise left us; we then all got into a boat and landed at
Uncle’s wharf; ’tis about 3 miles, a most charming sail, indeed we had a
very pleasant time. They went directly to Page’s, and in the evening I
went up to see them; left them at 8 and with real regret. I had passed
several pleasant hours in their society. They set out in the morning for
Portland. Only think of Eleanor going to be married; ’tis no more than I
expected and believed at the moment I heard it. Poor Mrs. Sumner, what
an afflicting loss she has met with, my heart bleeds while I think how
_very fond_ she was of the little creature, she was a lovely child. How
do all do at home? I long to get home, I never wanted to see home more
in my life, yet I am very happy here. I wish Mamma would send me two of
my cotton shifts and my habit or great-coat to ride home in; send them
by Uncle. Pray get the instrument tuned. If you see Moses[14] soon tell
him I think it impossible to find words to express my obligation to him
for his many and long letters, yet I shall endeavour to convince him I
have a due sense of them. I shall make all the return in my power. I was
going up to Topsham this week. I wish to very much, but Mamma King and
Uncle both going, Nanny would be quite alone, I must stay to comfort
her. As to Aunt Porter I believe she will think I am never coming to
Topsham. I begin to think so myself, but what am I to do? However I
must. I shall go as soon as Uncle returns and stay till I return home. I
want to see Aunt Porter very much. Write me soon and tell me what news
you hear. Love to all. Is Pappa gone to Salem?