Senator Daniel S. Dickinson to Lydia L. Dickinson, June 8, 1850

WASHINGTON, June 8, 1850.

MY DEAR LYDIA L.—I received your pretty letter this morning, and was very glad to hear from you all. I hope the fine weather and pleasant home will soon improve your health. It is getting too hot here for comfort, and you may be glad to be away. We had a very pleasant time at Annapolis; visited the naval school; saw them shoot cannon-balls and grapeshot out upon the bay, &c., &c. Annapolis is an old place one of the earliest towns built, and in the old English style. Baltimore has for many years taken away its commerce and prevented its growth, and absorbed its wealth and enterprise. But it has yet the State Capitol, and its old-fashioned grandeur and aristocracy. It is said that, in its glory, at a funeral there were thirty-four private carriages; now there is not one.

Governor Pratt's eldest daughter and eldest child is about twelve years old, but quite large and rather beautiful. She has a new album; General Foote told her I could write poetry, and she importuned me until I wrote in it hastily the following lines:

TO RACHEL.

May thy fair face, like this bright page,
    Remain without one line of sadness,-
From girlhood's morn to evening's age
    Be lighted up with smiles and gladness.

And may fond hope, our charmer here,
    Garner new pleasure for each morrow;
Thy cheek ne'er feel a scalding tear,
    Nor thy young heart be wrung with sorrow.

May life's pure current, as it flows,
    Pass, like the streamlet, to its river,
Until it finds that bless'd repose,
    The bosom of its bounteous Giver.

Your affectionate father,

D. S. DICKINSON.

SOURCE: John R. Dickinson, Editor, Speeches, Correspondence, Etc., of the Late Daniel S. Dickinson of New York, Vol. 2, p. 444-5