[Lydia] Maria [Child] ALS to Louisa [Gilman Loring], May 30, 1836

West Boylston. May 30th 1836

Dear Louisa,

Lest you should think there is never any
hope of keeping our trail, after we are once fairly out
of sight and hearing. I will inform you that we have
been quietly domesticated at W. Boylston, ever since the
date of my letter by Mr. Appleton, who made us a
charming visit here. How he has been in so many courts,
and yet kept himself so whole-hearted, is more than I
can imagine. His body has suffered more from diplo-
-matic dinners, than his soul has from diplomatic
habits. He is a thorough abolitionist; and "shuns not to
declare the whole counsel" among the high and mighty
of the earth. In his "pecuniars" I am afraid he is more
straitened, than so generous a nature should be.

You have no idea of the exceeding beauty of
the country here. The apple and cherry trees have been
so abundantly covered with blossoms, that they looked as
if a white veil were entirely spread over their green
foliage. The petals are now falling on the grass so
plentifully, that the fields seem covered with snow.
The little birds are so familiar that they come pecking
at the windows, and hopping across our door-steps. One
little sparrow now attending to her family cares, in her

[written perpendicularly in the left margin}

I have written to Park Benjamin concerning the publication of my novel, which was long
ago promised to him, if he continued in the book line. I informed him that the copy-right
and proceeds of the work were formally transferred to Convers Francis of S. Natick, and that
E. G. Loring was his agent.

{end perpendicular writing}