Transcriber's Note:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation in the originaldocument have been preserved.
On page 130, "we sate long" should possibly be "we sat long".
LOVE LETTERS
OF
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE
LOVE LETTERS
OF
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE
PRIVATELY PRINTED
THE SOCIETY OF THE DOFOBS
CHICAGO
1907
Copyright, 1907, by
WILLIAM K. BIXBY
LETTERS
TO MISS PEABODY
Oak Hill, April 13th, 1841
Ownest love,
Here is thy poor husband in a polar Paradise! Iknow not how to interpret this aspect of Nature—whetherit be of good or evil omen to our enterprise.But I reflect that the Plymouth pilgrimsarrived in the midst of storm and stept ashore uponmountain snow-drifts; and nevertheless they prospered,and became a great people—and doubtlessit will be the same with us. I laud my stars,however, that thou wilt not have thy first impressionsof our future home from such a day as this.Thou wouldst shiver all thy life afterwards, andnever realise that there could be bright skies, andgreen hills and meadows, and trees heavy withfoliage, when now the whole scene is a great snow-bank,and the sky full of snow likewise. Throughfaith, I persist in believing that spring and summerwill come in their due season; but the unregeneratedman shivers within me, and suggests a4doubt whether I may not have wandered withinthe precincts of the Arctic circle, and chosen myheritage among everlasting snows. Dearest, providethyself with a good stock of furs; and if thoucanst obtain the skin of a polar bear, thou wiltfind it a very suitable summer dress for this region.Thou must not hope ever to walk abroad, exceptupon snow-shoes, nor to find any warmth, save inthy husband's heart.
Belovedest, I have not yet taken my first lessonin agriculture, as thou mayst well suppose—exceptthat I went to see our cows foddered, yesterdayafternoon. We have eight of our own; andthe number is now increased by a transcendentalheifer, belonging to Miss Margaret Fuller. Sheis very fractious, I believe, and apt to kick overthe milk pail. Thou knowest best, whether inthese traits of character, she resembles her mistress.Thy husband intends to convert himselfinto a milk-maid, this evening; but I pray heaventhat Mr. Ripley may be moved to assign him thekindliest cow in the herd—otherwise he will performhis duty with fear and trembling.
Ownest wife, I like my brethren in afflictionvery well; and couldst thou see us sitting roundour table, at meal-times, before the great kitchen-fire,thou wouldst call it a cheerful sight. Mrs.5Parker is a most comfortable woman to behold;she looks as if her ample person were stuffed fullof tenderness—indeed, as if she were all one great,kind heart. Wert thou here, I should ask fornothing more—not even for sunshine and summerweather; for thou wouldst be both, to thy husband.And how is that cough of thine, my belovedest?Hast thou thought of me, in my perilsand wanderings? I trust that thou dost museupon me with hope and joy; not with repining.Th