less enhanced by the companionship of Charles
Sumner, just then the especial prophet of international peace. She also
aided him effectually in his next book, "The Poets and Poetry of
Europe," in which his friend Felton also cooeperated, he preparing the
biographical notices while Longfellow made the selections and also some
of the translations.

I add this letter from his betrothed, which strikes the reader as
singularly winning and womanly. This also is addressed to the elder
sister of the first Mrs. Longfellow.

BOSTON, June 5, 1843.

DEAR MISS POTTER,--Accept my warmest thanks for the very kind manner
in which you have expressed an interest in our happiness. It is all
the more welcome in coming from a stranger upon whom I have no past
claim to kindle a kindly regard, and touches my heart deeply. Among
the many blessings which the new world I have entered reveals to me,
a new heritage of friends is a choice one. Those most dear to Henry,
most closely linked with his early associations, I am, naturally,
most anxious to know and love,--and I trust an opportunity will
bring us together before long.

But I should feel no little timidity in being known to you and his
family; a dread that loving him as you do I might not fulfil all the
exactions of your hearts; were not such fears relieved by the
generous determination you have shown to approve his choice,--upon
faith in _him_. To one who has known him so long and so well, I need
not attempt to speak of my happiness in possessing such a
heart,--nor of my infinite gratitude to the Giver of every good gift
for bestowing upon me the power of rendering him once more happy in
the hope of a home,--so sacred and dear to his loving nature by
blessed memories to which I fervently pray to be found worthy to
succeed.

Receive again my thanks for your kind sympathy, with the assurance
of my warm regards,--which I trust will not always be imprisoned in
words, and with kindest remembrances to my other Portland friends,

I remain sincerely and gratefully yrs

FANNY E. APPLETON.

Henry sends his most affectionate regards and hopes, tho' faintly,
to be soon able to visit his home, and talk over his future with you
all.{70}

It is pleasant to record in connection with