Letter from Isaac Leeser to Zalma Rehine;October 19, 1842 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Isaac Leeser to Zalma Rehine;October 19, 1842

Author

Isaac Leeser

Contributor

Zalma Rehine

Date Created

19 October 1842

Location(s)

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 3 page(s) on 4 sheet(s).

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3s46hs3r/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3s46hs3r

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Wax Seal

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Jesselson Family Collection of Isaac Leeser Material

content

Philadelphia October 19th Heshvan 15th. 5603.
Dear Uncle.
I should judge from your letter that when you wrote you had not received the ? liner I had sent you by Mrs. Lyons, who nevertheless had promised to call on you on her journey to her new home. But I have little doubt that she fulfilled her promise by calling before she left, and that she likewise told aunt R all the particulars about the wedding. I am well aware that ladies like to hear such matters; but I am but little acquainted with them to give full particulars. The wedding however was a tolerably merry one, and plenty to eat and to drink was set before all the com-pany. As usual some affronts were given; since some persons thought themselves entitled to an invitation which was not extended to them. Among the rest a cousin of the bride, who expected to be unter-ferer, and not being asked she and and husband did not come at all. However this you know is not uncommon; I myself staid till near one o'clock; as they did not sit down to supper till a quarter before twelve, and I was expected to stay to say prayers. It was rather a later hour for me than I liked to remain out of bed; but as there was no help for it I had to submit.
Old Mr Wolff has been at our house for some weeks. He had a cataract on one eye, and could not see well out of the other. He had accordingly an operation before? to remove the cataract from the one eye, already Sunday two weeks ago; and as yet he has not been down stairs. As my room is I think the most convenient in the house I gave it up to him; though I do not hold him in very high estimation, since he is for a European as little of a Jew as ever I saw in my life. However he too has not escaped without his share of trouble. I hope that in a week or two he may be able to travel southwards as he lives in Mobile, Alabama; a person sick in a house makes a great difference in all arrangements.

As I am writing a message is brought that Rachel Pyke (Peixotto) was last night confined; but the child is dead. I do not admire that couple much. I have recommended him to several persons to give him goods on commission; but he invariably has failed of paying over what he sold, and so he will get but little more from Jews. He has cost me besides somewhat like twenty Dollars in money, and more indirectly, and from me therefore he has nothing to expect. Upon the whole there is little satisfaction in doing anything for the poor of this community. They generally eat up what they get; and but small thanks do even fall to my share at least; I know not how it may be with other people. It would not matter much if I were rich; but having to work for every cent I get, it is rather hard that so many make constant claim to the little I have, and do it in such a manner that a refusal is out of my power. I have determined at times not to be liberal; but I see no way whatever to avoid giving more than I should do for my means. Still as I am a single man and having no one whom I need work for, it makes but small odds at last, as I hope with God's Helping to be always able to earn my living; and if I have this respectably I have no right to ask for more.
My intention was to go to New York last Sunday. But Mr. S. Pesoa was on Thursday & Friday so ill, that the Doctor had no hopes of his living to the utmost more than 72 hours. But last evening I went to see him, and he appeared to me not to be quite so sick as that he might not recover. Doctor Jackson happened to come in as I was going away, and I waited till he was going again, when he asked to ride down in his carriage, and took me to 8th & Chestnut Streets (believe in 8th below Walnut); he then told me that there is but small probability of his recovery, yet there is no symptom which would make his disease necessarily fatal. So I trust, that the poor young man may get up again, especially as he has four to five children & a helpless wife depending for support upon his daily exertions. I thought that the family might think it unkind in me to leave the city under these circumstances, so I reach?

up my mind to defer my journey, though I thereby will in all probability lose the fine weather which we now have. Next Sunday I have Hebrew for my father and on Tuesday I believe they will set a tombstone for Mr Allen, when his year expires; so I shall not get off next week either. So you see, Uncle, that my little excursion depend upon so many circumstances, that I can not even leave within the week if I feel ever so much inclined to travel.
Have any Baltimorean signed the prospectus for the Occident? I have about 60 already in Philadelphia and vicinity, and expect at least 20 more; how many there are in New York I shall learn only when I get there; as the people there are too busy to write. I myself would never have thought of a paper for the present; but I have been induced to give the proposal in consequence of solicitation from various quarters. Whether the very persons who urged me will do any thing appears very doubtful; but there is ? consolation if I do not print the paper I shall lose nothing by ?
All your friends desire to be remembered; Amelia Allen in particular told me I must mention her name. It is hardly requisite to write a page full of names; so I leave you to judge who all enquire about you. Give my love to Aunt R. Rachel, Mr Judah Mr. & Mrs Block, the Ettings, and all our mutual friends.
With high regard
your obt. Nephew
Isaac Leeser
I had last week a letter
from Mr. Nathan of Jamaica
neither he nor his wife was well at
the time. He makes an apology for
not sending Hebrew.

Mr. Zalma Rehine
Care of Hanover & German
Baltimore
Md.
single.

Identifier

LSTCAT_item154

Date

1842-10-19