May 10 was a date of great importance to Frances Appleton and Henry Longfellow for, on that date, Frances (Fanny) accepted Henry’s proposal of marriage, ending a long and sometimes tumultuous courtship. The next year, after nearly 10 months of marriage, both remembered the day in their journals as follows. Henry: “The Tenth of May! Day to be recorded with sunbeams! Day of light and love! The day of our engagement; when the bright morning—one year ago—I received Fanny’s note, and walked to town, amid the blossoms and sunshine and song of birds, with my heart full of gladness and my eyes full of tears! I walked with the speed of an arrow—too restless to sit in a carriage—too impatient and fearful of encountering anyone! O Day forever blessed; that ushered in this Vita Nova of happiness!” Fanny: “What can I say of thee, thou birthday of my new life of love and blessedness? Sacredly and silently must thou be honored in my heart, as is the day of its freedom, through death, to a spirit in Paradise. This was indeed my marriage-day, although another bears the title. He who can alone create the mystery of two hearts fused into one was the only witness and priest of that holiest, happiest union. May this day ever bring him nearer then to our hearts than any other. Walked through the little lane and sat under a tree, sending joy into the blithe air like the birds, the insects and every living thing. Alone alas! For though Henry stole this day from the college last year, he dutifully returns the theft this.” One wonders what the conversation was like that evening in the grand old mansion on Brattle Street. -Ranger Garrett Images from LONG Museum Collection
Posted on: Sat, 10 May 2014 14:00:00 +0000