Accession: L02679
Editorial Title: Mary L. Bean to Augusta Holmes Swasey, January 6, 1839
Author: Mary L. Bean 
Recipient: Augusta Holmes Swasey 
Date: January 6, 1839
Manuscript Description: Handwritten by Mary L. Bean on unlined paper from Meredith, New Hampshire.
Archival Note: Although this letter has been sometimes assumed to have been written by Mary Baker Eddy (see note 64 on pages 317-318 of Robert Peel’s Mary Baker Eddy: The Years of Discovery), it was in fact written by Mary L. Bean and not by Eddy. A portion of the letter is quoted on page 43 of Peel’s Years of Discovery and mistakenly attributed to Eddy.
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L02679
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Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
My very dear friend,

Your letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. of the 3rdAs Written:d instantAs Written:inst. was received with the most heartfelt pleasure.

Yes, for I waited for a long time with impatience to receive a letter from you, and more than once during that long period, did I ask myself the question, "can it be possible that my dear Augusta has so soon forgotten her friend for whom she professed so much attachment, her little spouse"?

I could not believe but that you yet had at least a "transient thought" of your young friend. Oh, it does appear to me, that nothing in this world would be more afflicting to me, than the feeling, the agonizing thought that my friends had forgotten me. "To be forgot". Who would not dread it? You ask in your letter if you must "recall your plighted love & affection".

Oh agony, (as you say) to lose the blessed privilege of being called your "little spouse", would be more than I could well endure. You do not call me by those "endearing epithets", as you were wont to do, in times past. And why not? Have I done anythingAs Written:any thing my dear husband to merit this? If I have, just tell me, and I will humbly ask your forgiveness,―

The friends of my "school-days" are bound to my heart by too strong ties, to be forgotten, or even remembered with indifference, in the space of 5 weeks. When at "twilight’s pensive hour"Editorial Note: This is probably a reference to a poem titled “The Nightingale,” by Felicia Hemans. Its first line reads: “When twilight’s gray and pensive hour.” I sit, and recall to mind the happy hours I spent the last term at P―Editorial Note: Teachers’ Seminary, Plymouth, New Hampshire with you, and those few chosen friends, I can scarcely refrain from weeping. And not only at twilight do I "ruminate", but much of my time is thus spent. Can it be that I never shall attend school again with those friends?

Do you expect to return to P―Editorial Note: Teachers’ Seminary, Plymouth, New Hampshire in the spring? I should like very much to return there, but do not expect to. My Mother thinks she cannot "spare" me at present again.

It is the Sabbath. I do not approve of writing letters on the Sabbath you know, but could not find time yesterday to write, & last evening I attended meeting.

We have had a very interesting meeting today. Do you enjoy your mind most of the time? Have you yet united with the church?

O dear, how much you have to say about "Enoch". As to my being married, I don't begin to think much of that 'decisive step', neither do I intend to be "married" at present. I am sure, I feel as though I should like my liberty a while longer.

As it regards Mr. Noyes, you will recollect that he said he never had been at Meredith VillageAs Written:M. V. and that he thought he should come and see it, at some time. Well, he accordingly came, and you know to be polite, he must call and see his old school friendsAs Written:school-friends. But enough of this.

You ask me if I keep a Journal now. I have not written in it since the 17th November. I have nothing to write in it now. You will find nothing in it, such as you imagine If I should write anythingAs Written:any thing like that I am afraid my conscience would smite a little.

I received a letter and paper from Betsy R― yesterday. How I do wish I could see her.

I heard from Charlotte T― the other day, by way of my Uncle. She was well I believe. You ask me if I am pursuing a course of study now. I have not studied any as yet, being so interested in reading. I am now reading the Diary of a Physician. It is very interesting. Perhaps you have read it.

You speak about parties in your villageEditorial Note: Sanbornton Bridge (later Tilton), New Hampshire. We have not had one here as yet. I presume you enjoy yourself finely this winter and I am glad of it. As for myself, I have enjoyed myself very well most of this time. I am low-spiritedAs Written:low spirited occasionally, as you know I am subject to such "fits."

Excuse this worse than horrid writing, for I have written in haste.

How I do wish I could see you, were it only for an hour.

Don't forget your little spouse. I shall expect a letter very soon. Do not disappoint me.

Your affectionate
Mary―

I almost forgot to say that I heard Mr. Lawrence is inquiring where "Miss Holmes" is now. I suppose you recollect the walk up to the Falls, and Mr. L's incoherent speech about "Diana" et ceteraAs Written:&c.

Have you received any of Mr. Stow's wedding cake?

Good night, good night dearest.


Sandbornton BridgeEditorial Note: Sanbornton Bridge (later Tilton), New Hampshire
New HampshireAs Written:N. H.–
L02679
-
Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
My very dear friend,

Your letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. of the 3dOriginal:rd inst.Expanded:instant was received with the most heartfelt pleasure.

Yes, for I waited for a long time with impatience to receive a letter from you, and more than once during that long period, did I ask myself the question, how "can it be possible that my dear Augusta has so soon forgotten her friend for whom she professed so much attachment, her little spouse"?

I could not believe but that you yet had at least a "transient thought" of your young friend. Oh, it does appear to me, that nothing in this world would be more afflicting to me, than the feeling, the agonizing thought that my friends had forgotten me. "To be forgot". Who would not dread it? You spe ask in your letter if you must "recall your plighted love & affection".

Oh agony, (as you say) to lose the blessed privilege of being called your "little spouse", would be more than I could well endure. You do not call me by those "endearing epithets", as you were wont to do, in times past. And why not? Have I done any thingCorrected:anything my dear husband to merit this? If I have, just tell me, and I will humbly ask your forgiveness,―

The friends of my "school-days" are bound to my heart by too strong ties, to be forgotten, or even remembered with indifference, in the spa [?] Unclear or illegible ce of 5 weeks. When at "twilight’s pensive hour"Editorial Note: This is probably a reference to a poem titled “The Nightingale,” by Felicia Hemans. Its first line reads: “When twilight’s gray and pensive hour.” I sit, and recall to mind the happy hours I spent the last term at P―Editorial Note: Teachers’ Seminary, Plymouth, New Hampshire with you, and those few chosen friends, I can scarcely refrain from weeping. And not only at twilight do I "ruminate", but much of my time is thus spent. Can it be that I never shall attend school again with those friends? D

Do you expect to return to P―Editorial Note: Teachers’ Seminary, Plymouth, New Hampshire in the spring? I very should like very much to return there, but do not expect to. My Mother thinks she cannot "spare" me at present again.

It is the Sabbath. I do not approve of writing letters on the Sabbath you know, but could not find time to yesterday to write, l & last evening I attended meeting.

We have had a very interesting meeting today. Do you enjoy your mind most of the time? Have you yet united with the church?

O dear, how much you have to say about "Enoch". As to my being married, I don't begin to think much of that 'decisive step', neither do I intend to be "married" at present. I am sure, I feel as though I should like my liberty a while longer.

As it regards Mr. Noyes, you will recollect that he said he never had been at M. V.Expanded:Meredith Village and that he thought he should come and see it, at some time. Well, he accordingly came, and you know to be polite, he must call and see his old school-friendsCorrected:school friends. But enough of this.

You ask me if I keep a Journal now. I have not written in it since the 17th November. I have nothing to write in it now. You will find nothing in it, such as you imagine If I should write any thingCorrected:anything like that I am afraid I should my conscience would smite a little.

I received a letter and paper from Betsy R― yesterday. How I do wish I could see her.

I heard from Charlotte T― the other day, by way of my Uncle. She was well I believe. You ask me if I am pursuing a course of study now. I have not studied any as yet, being so interested in reading. I am now reading the Diary of a Physician. It is very interesting. Perhaps you have read it.

You speak about parties in your villageEditorial Note: Sanbornton Bridge (later Tilton), New Hampshire. We have not had one here as yet. I presume you enjoy yourself finely this winter and I am glad of it. As for myself, I have enjoyed myself very well most of this time. I am low spiritedCorrected:low-spirited occasionally, as you know I am subject to such "fits."

Excuse this worse than horrid writing, for I have written in haste.

How I do wish I could see you, were it only for an hour.

Don't forget your little spouse. I shall expect a letter very soon. Do not disappoint me.

Your affectionate
Mary―

I almost forgot to say that I heard Mr. Lawrence was is inquiring where "Miss Holmes" is now. I suppose you recollect the walk up to the Falls, and Mr. L's incoherent speech about "Diana" &c.Expanded:et cetera

Have you received any of Mr. Stow's wedding cake?

Good night, good night dearest.


Sandbornton BridgeEditorial Note: Sanbornton Bridge (later Tilton), New Hampshire
N. H.–Expanded:New Hampshire
 
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Meredith, New Hampshire This letter is not extant. This is probably a reference to a poem titled “The Nightingale,” by Felicia Hemans. Its first line reads: “When twilight’s gray and pensive hour.” Teachers’ Seminary, Plymouth, New Hampshire Teachers’ Seminary, Plymouth, New Hampshire Sanbornton Bridge (later Tilton), New Hampshire Sanbornton Bridge (later Tilton), New Hampshire