Metadata
Title
Alice B. Haven to Sarah Josepha Hale
Date
1863-05-16
May 16, 1863
Subject
Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879
Medium
Manuscripts
Language
eng
Type
text
Collection
Sarah Josepha Hale Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Identifier
46-M-194
Rights
http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html
Text
Mamaroneck
May 16th - 63
My dear Mrs Hale,
I did not hear until
yesterday of your loss,
or I should not have
been as late as this in
offering my sympathy.
Mrs Godey seems to think
that it had been previously
told me - but I have
been so ill and not of
the world that I had
not heard it, - indeed
I could scarcely believe
that what I read was
true. I had measured
my life & health, as it
were - by your daughters,
as our illness was of
almost the same date,
If I had [?] [feverish?]
it would be of like duration.
But how merciful that
she was called away
"suddenly"-. No long
wearing, racking decay, -
In many instances of
which I have witnessed
among invalids the past
three years, & until [?]
and [soul?] cry out for
rest & peace! And you
have been spared that
exhausting [?] watch
of alternate hope and
trembling fear. Truly it
is merciful; for you
know that to her the
transition was all gain.
I will not say, how
sad for you my dear
Mrs Hale. You have lived
too long in the light, and
have seen too many of
life's transitions, to look
on this as more than
a short seperation [separation], - a
going before, - and you
surely have a strong arm
now supporting you. One
on which you leaned
when you struggled so
bravely to lead your children
along the path of life in
goodness & excellence, - One
that will support and
strengthen you, to the last
trial of earth, - whatever
else may be taken away.
Mrs [?] Godey writes me
that you bear up nobly, -
and adds a fervent "God
Bless her!" - with other
words of the deepest sympathy
and appreciation.
I am sure you do, - and
may you find in the
tenderness of friends, and
the filial piety of those
of your children who
remain, all the earthly
comfort that can be
given.
Owing you more a
daughter's respect & duty -
Gratefully as of old
Alice B Haven
May 16th - 63
My dear Mrs Hale,
I did not hear until
yesterday of your loss,
or I should not have
been as late as this in
offering my sympathy.
Mrs Godey seems to think
that it had been previously
told me - but I have
been so ill and not of
the world that I had
not heard it, - indeed
I could scarcely believe
that what I read was
true. I had measured
my life & health, as it
were - by your daughters,
as our illness was of
almost the same date,
If I had [?] [feverish?]
it would be of like duration.
But how merciful that
she was called away
"suddenly"-. No long
wearing, racking decay, -
In many instances of
which I have witnessed
among invalids the past
three years, & until [?]
and [soul?] cry out for
rest & peace! And you
have been spared that
exhausting [?] watch
of alternate hope and
trembling fear. Truly it
is merciful; for you
know that to her the
transition was all gain.
I will not say, how
sad for you my dear
Mrs Hale. You have lived
too long in the light, and
have seen too many of
life's transitions, to look
on this as more than
a short seperation [separation], - a
going before, - and you
surely have a strong arm
now supporting you. One
on which you leaned
when you struggled so
bravely to lead your children
along the path of life in
goodness & excellence, - One
that will support and
strengthen you, to the last
trial of earth, - whatever
else may be taken away.
Mrs [?] Godey writes me
that you bear up nobly, -
and adds a fervent "God
Bless her!" - with other
words of the deepest sympathy
and appreciation.
I am sure you do, - and
may you find in the
tenderness of friends, and
the filial piety of those
of your children who
remain, all the earthly
comfort that can be
given.
Owing you more a
daughter's respect & duty -
Gratefully as of old
Alice B Haven