Post, Matilda. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Title

Post, Matilda. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Creator

Post, Matilda

Contributor

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889

Description

Handwritten letter from Matilda Post to Amy Kirby Post, n.d.

Is Part Of

Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Rights

The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Identifier

260

Location

Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Transcription

(Page 1)

                                                 First day - 28^th     Dear Aunt A.
                                I returned from N York little
more than a week ago - and found thy kind
letter awaiting me. Every moment has seemed
so filled with cares, that I have found myself
reluctantly compelled to wait until this time
to acknowledge its reception. My mind loves
to dwell upon recollections of Rochester - -
I sometimes think that, notwithstanding the
bitterness of separation, there is no other equal portion
of my life, so little chequered by regrets, as the months
spent in your city. The earnest and steady pursuit
of health and those benign and mental gifts, which
the fair Goddess dispenses - were to my interion nature
ennobling objects - She kindly influences of hope
were a solace to my spirits - hope, that so often
decieves [sic] us - Still, I will bless the sweet singer
altho' I have perhaps drank too eagerly the honey
dew of her flattery. I am better now, than I have
been at any time since the severe attack of inflame-
-mation. The visit of N Y, changed me entirely –
and I came home with tenfold strength. Indeed
I am sanguine enough to believe that under some
circumstances, I might attain pretty good health.
Stephen feels ancious [sic] to try all that can be done

(Page 2)

to render LI. tolerable, and I too think it is best
to make the trial at least. We have made arrange-
-ments for a hall stove - and we have a house-
-keeper - and two girls beside. With all these
advantages, would it not be a crime to be sick?
Surely, I have gained much of physical power
within the last year - have experienced a radical
change in regard to ^the^ chronic difficulties which so long
afflicted me - oh, I will try to gain more - I will try
to walk in the same path where our good Doctor
introduced us - and profit yet more by his coun
-sels. Can I live out those teachings - can I make
those beautiful precepts mine, now in this stern
hour of trial? I will try. It is not an easy thing
to grow in knowledge. It is not the work of a
moment. The instantaneous thrill of pleasure, which
penetrates the inner being at the perception of a new
and grand idea, may fade away like rainbow
tints, from our mental vision - or remain only
as a cherished memory of the pictured pasts. But
it is quite another thing ^to^ realize a growth within
us of that which the mind recognizes as truth. Dear
Aunt Amy, may we not liken our experience to the
steady, tho unseen silent changes which are ever
working in nature's great laboratory? -the cir-
cumstances which surround us, to the genial
influence of shower & sunshine, darkness &

(Page 3)

dewy morning? What tho the storm cloud may
darken the sky, and burst above the earth, the
little plant in the hedge-row heeds it ^not^ - or only
bends her head lovingly beneath its weight; for
that tempest brings to her a blessing - And
so, after many changes - there is a growth
attained which no other conditions could have
furnished. For this cause, came we unto this
hour - Surely life's mysteries are full of meaning!
How much do we with that it ^were^ possible often to drop
in and make one of your pleasant circle - I feel
that I could take your hands in mine, and glad
-den my spirit with the reflection of your kindly
countenances. Please accept our heartfelt
thanks for thy letter of friendship - as also for
many a word of cheer from thy lips.
We are all well as usual, the children attending
school and Stephen taking the benefit of plank
road improvements. Sister Phebe remains greatly
improved in health. with a careful diet, and an
occasional pack - her thirst seems nearly gone,
She comes up here to be packed it is so difficult
to have it done in N Y. She was greatly in hopes
that our respected Doctor, would establish himself
in N Y, this winter. We have heard nothing
from him for some time. He paid us a short
visit, which we all enjoyed. It is sad to me to

(Page 4)

reflect that in such a sick world as this, capacities
like his for usefulness, should fail to find an appro
-priate field of labour. May success attend his
efforts. It is ^a^ lovely Autumn day - would that
my own heart could chime in more lovingly
with the sweet voices of nature! I trust it will
not long be thus - that a gentler spirit will sweep
all misanthropy from my bosom - During my
long absence from L I all that I could feel as a
wife & mother was touched in the tenderest ^part^ and
it seems as tho that very suffering, in the eyes
of those who judge me - has been my offence.
"Life (they tell me) 'loses all its value when pur-
-chased with such deviations from duty, as
I have committed - and sickness and death
they would fain array in attractive guise, as an
expedient, and alternative. I suppose that health in
Rochester, to the wise, seems but another name for
a long list of spiritual maladies, quite incurable –
Well, when I have become somewhat used to the crushing
weight which has fallen upon me - I shall realize
something more harmonious than at present - and
then dear Aunt A - I hope to be able to converse with thee
in this manner, without being so egotistical. Pardon
me - we have used so much freedom hitherto - that I
could keep back no thought from thee, Please remember
me to inquiring friends - to the branches, of your own
family especially - We think it a long time since brother
Edmund left us - shall look for him soon I think
                                                              Lovingly – Matilda -

Tags

Domestic Servants; Family; Medicine

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Post, Matilda, “Post, Matilda. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 23, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2561.

Transcribe This Item