Hell Gate, Long Island
]
New York, July 14.
Friend Greene from Portland is here and will dine with us to-day; a
fine opportunity for me to write to my friends. I have quite a packet
of newspapers which I shall send by him to amuse you; they contain all
the public amusements and shows in celebration of 4th July. The
Procession passed our house and was very elegant. In the evening we
were at Davis Hall Gardens; the entertainment there you will see by
the papers; ’twas supposed there were 4,000 people there; tickets half
a dollar; and ’tis said he made very little money, so you may think
what the entertainment was. Indeed there is every day something new
and amusing to me. Whenever we have nothing particular in view, in the
cool of the evening we walk down to the Battery, go into the garden,
sit half an hour, eat ice-cream, drink lemonade, hear fine music, see
a variety of people, and return home happy and refreshed. Sunday we
dined at Mr. Delafield’s near Hell Gate, Long Island; the most superb,
magnificent place I ever saw, situated directly on the East river, the
finest view you can imagine. I was delighted with our visit, so much
ease, elegance and hospitality. I am very glad you liked your gown.
Long sleeves are very much worn, made like mitts; crosswise, only one
seam and that in the back of the arm, and a half drawn sleeve over and
a close, very short one up high, drawn up with a cord. I have just
been having one made so. All Mrs. Delafield’s daughters, even to
little Caroline, no older than our Mary, had their frocks made exactly
like the gown I sent you, only cut open in the back, a piece of bone
each side and eyelet holes laced,—long sleeves as I mentioned above;
short sleeves and open behind. I should admire to be in Portland, now
all the Coffin family are there. Give my best love to Mrs. Coffin and
Ellen Foster; the others will have returned. I am astonished at what
you say about my calling on Mrs. Sumner, and what Mrs. Coffin said.
When I got to Boston I determined to call nowhere but at Mrs.
Sumner’s, as my intimacy in the family was such and I was fearful she
might not hear of my being in town and should not see her; accordingly
the day I got in town we went out purposely to call there, and to
prevent any one calling on us (for I did not wish to see much company)
we said we expected to go out of town immediately. However, there were
a great many called to see me notwithstanding. In Cap hill we met Mr.
Sumner. I introduced Mr. Bowne, said we were just going to call on
Mrs. Sumner, enquired how she did, etc., and Mr. Sumner said they were
just going out to ride, but if I would go immediately with him I could
see her. I was fearful of detaining them, and thought I should
certainly see her, now she knew I was in town and had set out to call
on her; and Mr. Sumner particularly asked where we were to be
found,—we told him Mrs. Carter’s, and parted. From that time, every
time I heard the bell, I supposed ’twas Mrs. Sumner. We staid 2 days,
and neither Mr. nor Mrs. Sumner called. I felt amazingly hurt, as so
many ladies I was very little acquainted with called on me
immediately. Late in the evening before we left town, Tom Coffin
called in, appeared rather formal, never mentioned Mrs. Sumner or any
reason why they did not call, nor any apology. As I could no way
account for such mysterious conduct, it greatly mortified me. This is
the true statement, which you may mention to Mrs. Coffin, and then ask
her who has a right to feel offended. The great dinner given in honor
of Uncle Rufus I have not yet mentioned; ’twas very superb, and 200 of
the most respectable citizens of New York attended. Mr. Bowne says,
tho’ he has been at many entertainments given in honor of particular
persons, yet he never saw one that was so complimentary, and never a
person conduct himself on such an occasion with such ease, elegance,
and dignity in his life. He returned quite in raptures,—such
insinuating manners—such ease in receiving those presented and
introduced,—he is a most amazing favorite here. Democrats and
Federalists and all parties attended. French Consul on his
right—English Consul on his left. When Mr. Bowne went up, he held out
his hand with all the ease of an old friend, without even bowing, and
said, “How! is it Bowne? How’s your wife?”—so familiar. I went to see
the tables: very novel and elegant—there was one the whole length of
the Hall and 4 branches from it; there was an enclosure about 2 feet
wide, filled with earth, and railed in with a little white fence, and
little gates every yard or two ran thro’ the centre of all the tables,
and on each side were the plates and dishes. In this enclosure there
were lakes, and swans swimming, little mounds covered with goats among
little trees,—some places flocks of sheep, some cows laying down,
beautiful little arches and arbors covered with green,—figures of
Apollo, Ceres, Flora, little white pyramids with earth and sprigs of
myrtle, orange, lemon, flowers in imitation of hothouse
plants,—nothing could have a more beautiful effect in the hot weather;
those opposite to you were divided, their plates quite hidden. Adieu;
some ladies have just called. We are going about 20 miles to enjoy the
sea, Rockaway, a place of fashionable resort; ’tis intensely hot,
exceeded only by Ballston Springs. We don’t go to Bethlehem till the
last of the month. Mr. Bowne’s business detains him in the City only
one or two days in a week perhaps, yet prevents a long journey just
now. We ride out every day or two, go into the baths whenever we
please, they have very fine public ones. Adieu. The ladies will think
I am Yankee. Love to all.