Letter to Isaac Leeser · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter to Isaac Leeser

Author

R. C. Moïse

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Location(s)

Charleston

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).

Letter

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3hx1670z/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3hx1670z

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

content

Rev I Leeser
Feb 25th
Dear Friend
It was with deep re-gret that I heard through our friend Rebecca that you had been sick & that you were still feeble although recovered. I ardently hope you may be perfectly well ere this receit of this. I fear you exert your physical strength that it may keep pace with the vigor of your mental power now that I must ask you not to do for the activity of your mind tends to weaken a constitution not naturally robust. If you would keep your mind in repose I am satisfied your health would improve I must beg you to be more watchful of it & remember you belong to your people who cannot afford that you exercise your strength to its inquiry. You are too important to our spiritual health for us to allow you without a caution to neglect yourself. My son begs to be kindly remembered I know not whether my commendation or your own kind attentions have impressed him so favorably but certain it is that he awards you all the merit you do readily deserve. S A has just come home from a long visit to Johns island. She is much improved in health & looks from the change; pure country air & the repose

which roaming in the woods & communing with nature in her unsophisticated state is well calculated to improve the health & the heart. The young people have had it quite gay this winter there have been several private balls & sociables & the arrival of strangers in the winter season keeps those who desire society constantly in it. I have been in such close mourning for the 2 past years that I have been nowhere but where misfortune & ill health preside. I however am determined if God protects us from any ill I will for my Childrens sake visit & have company at home & then I dare say catch a portion of their gaiety Even though you were industrious in your efforts that my son should captivate some of the fair assembly at the ? Malgré toute cela he has returned unscathed not but that I should be delighted for him to marry for there only is true happiness to be enjoyed ? the marriage is of two of congenial feelings & habits. The new minister is expected in May I do not anticipate so beneficial a change as many. I am of a strange turn when content with present state of things I prefer no change even though it may be a beneficial one I always fear to require too much both from Creator & fellow Mortals it is more a superstitious fear than an amiable trait For I have found that to rest our hopes too ? on any one desire often ends in disappointment And the trials I have had to encounter have checked all aspiring desires. I am on the ?? to receive my daguerres I presume you know Rebecca is going to send me her & her dear pets it is

so very kind of her to gratify me by such an attention.
What a delightful discovery is that of Daguerres lot certainly should be much better than the ancients for see the advantages we possess Daguerres that give us the positive though inanimate presence of those we love. Rail roads that swift as Eagles wings bring them to us & most extraordinarily the Telegraphic wires, which with a velocity incredible bring us information (of those separated from us) of sorrow or hap-piness! Yet man is no better his passions still unchecked his propensities still leading him to evil temptation lives with her smiles in spite of all the advantages which this age of improvement & discovery affords us. Mrs. Henry is better, Rumor with her poisoned tongue has said that a change had come over here religious feelings & that she did not find that consolation in her own faith that she required. This I could not bring my heart to believe & contradicted the report although it came from authority hard to doubt. I could believe that with the body in torture & the mind enfeebled that she might be vacillating (because my friend wants division of character) & beg the prayers of any good man But as I had acted with her had seen how completely she was satisfied with her own faith, I rejected the idea and believed that as she regained her health she would regain confidence in her own faith! C'ol. Myers has written to beg that all reports injurious to him should be refuted for there was no truth in it. Mrs. Bryan is with her & it is said that Mrs. Henry will never allow

to leave her again she is expected to visit Charleston as soon as she is able to travel & then I will give you a more correct statement — Remember me kindly to my friends the Levys & all who remember me. I am now writing without being able to see, but I have had so many interruptions that I am determined to finish in the dark That you may soon be restored to health is the sincere wish of your friend
R C Moise

Identifier

LSDCBx3FF11_1