The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-10-20
LAKE GEoRar, Sept. a, 1859.

DEAR G*** / am sure you will see, by wha,
have written, that was at the time in state
OF high excitement--as Twas; and because
had no fitting words of my own to express the
excess of my JOY, borrowed some lines from
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, such as a woman
only can write. sat up thinking and writing
till the day broke, and then, utterly exhausted
| sought my pillow and slept.
How glad l was to leave the United States
Hotel for / was weary of talking to people
whom did not know and never could know
and who knew nothing of me. As conse
quence, conversation never rises above the
platitudes of everyday life at the SPRING" who
has come and who has gone-who dresses with
taste, and who wears fine things 6nically." And
yet, doubt not, these very persons would have
interested me could we have been en- rapport
tor hold thas our hearts are electrical ma,
chimes OF some sort, and, in order to convey the
genial spark, there must be a connection form
ed. Wanting this, nothing can pass by which
the soul is affected Gfsk}
DO not think me wanting in sympathy with
the crowd | met at Saratoga, nor that 1 have
failed to secure some friendships which will
live with me through the future of this life and
of the life to come. Ofthese, first Of all stands
my graceful and gifted friend Mrs. c., OF
whom have written you, from whom parted
with sentiments of highest admiration and pro-
found respect.
We reached this place last evening, and
shall leave for Niagara tomorrow; and when
shall reach home, L am not able to tell. 1t
will depend entirely upon Aunt's wishes and
health, and, to let you into little secret, / am
quite content to stay here, or at Niagara, or
anywhere away from New York, till the first
of November; for you see, since Dick and /
have come to good understanding, End it
very pleasant to be with him in the country,
where we have nothing particular to do-no
office duties to keep him amid the brick walls
of Wall street. and no imperative calls of society
infringing on me, which must be met at any
and all sacrifices of ones time and comfort.
We have concluded to keep our own secrets,
and you see have already enlisted you to help
me keep my share intact and you will please
do so. Dick knows as well as that there is not
the least chance of marrying me these three
years, for father would not let sister Mary marry
till she was twenty-five, and / am not yet nine
teen; and / tell Dick never could endure
long engagement and think father-and pos
sbly grandfather, too-would find some flaw to
pick with Dick, if he were to make proposals
for me now. So, to save ourselves q world of
trouble, and perhaps an entire breakdown of all
our hopes and plans, everything is to stand as
it did before we left New York and we mean
to be patterns of propriety, and think we are.
1 assure you, G***, it is very delightful to be
loved, and hope you already sympathize with
me in the possession of the most precious of all
Gods gifts-the love of q generous, gifted, and
good man-such a man as Dicki God bless
him, and make me worthy of hml
You will pardon all the extravagances of
this letter, well as its length, and rejoice that
it is the last you will receive from me on this
journey.
Always lovingly your friend, META.
NoTE BY THE EDIroK.--LetteHprinted Is NJ,