Post, Amy Kirby. Letter to Mary Ann Burkes?

Title

Post, Amy Kirby. Letter to Mary Ann Burkes?

Creator

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889

Contributor

Mary Ann Burkes?

Date

1826-09-11

Description

Handwritten letter from Amy Kirby Post to Mary Ann Burkes?, September 11, 1826.

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

1979

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)

Somers Town 9 Mo 11 1826.

My dear Amy,

I do not know but thou wilt think

me intrusive, but really I feel such an inclination

this morning to write to thee, that I scarcely know how

to withhold. Thou knowest that we, as a people, do not ap-

prove of ceremony. I was aroused very early this morning

by a dear cousin, she called me to look at the planet Saturn

and as we had not seen it this fall, I very readily obeyed

the summons. The sky was unusually clear, and ^all^ around

was still, except the cheerful note of one little bird, which ten[-]

ded to enliven the scene. How do the beauties of the morning

seem calculated to inspire devotion; but alas! dear friend, so

stupid are ^we,^ that the silent invitation of the sweet charms of

nature, is too often extended in vain. They are by no means

confined to the morning; every succeeding hour has its pecu-

liar charm. Then is it not astonishing, that we can be so un-

mindful of Him who only should engross our affections, when almost

every surrounding object, (in the natural world I mean) seems to

speak his name in the most emphatic language? I think

thou seems to answer in the affirmative. We see those beauties

and we admire them superficially; yet as Watts observes,

“But when we go to read his name,

A dimness veils our sight.”

I believe I have dwelt long enough on this subject, which I

confess, is quite too sublime for my pen, but I hope I have

not treated it irreverently. I did not intend to.

Last 2^nd day morning, I was very agreeably surprised by the

arrival of brother Joseph. I was surprised because ^he^ came sooner

than I expected him. He will be the bearer of this, & I hope

thou wilt favour me with a few lines by him, for he intends cal-

ling to see thee. I think we shall not reach home in several

(Page 2)

weeks yet, & I wish thou wouldst conclude to go with us. I know of no

female company, & for that reason, I rather dread going, tho’ I have not

suffered much uneasiness on the account. I believe I must close with

desirings to be remembered to the several members of thy father’s

family, not forgetting to include thyself.

I remain thine in extreme haste,

Mary Ann Burkes

[Address at bottom of page, written upside down]

Amy Kirby

Jericho

Long Island

Attention of J. B.

[M. B. 1/24/2018]

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889, “Post, Amy Kirby. Letter to Mary Ann Burkes?,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed December 21, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/4253.

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