Letter from R. C. Moïse|Sarah Anna Moïse to Isaac Leeser · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from R. C. Moïse|Sarah Anna Moïse to Isaac Leeser

Author

R. C. Moïse | Sarah Anna Moïse

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Location(s)

Charleston

Philadelphia

Format

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

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Isaac Leeser Collection

http://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124370244

content

December 14th
Rev. I. Leeser
Dr Friend
As your monthly has been presented I presume that my ladyship may claim a portion of your time without having it distracted by more important matter: for let me tell you my dear Sir I like not to be numbered with the public in your esteem or attention; & you are sadly mistaken, if you think that by hearing from you through your Occident I am repaid for a reply to my favors. But badinage aside I like to read you as you are not clad in your holy day garb to meet the public scrutiny, but plain friend Leeser with all his odd notions & novel views of men & things The world has tended somewhat to improve me, as they shew me, that I am a very insignificant personage to them, without the claims which fortune Talent or beauty give But to my friends I am still something of une enfante gaté & not content with demi favors. Therefore have I punished myself by not writing before, that when I did I should receive your undivided attention I am not willing to recognize you in your works, for you appear so august that I should never dare to enjoy the pleasure of writing my thoughts as they flow to you. Believe me you are two in one & two very distinct personages.

I often think of them with much pleasure—Will you be kind enough to remember me also to Miss Adler if she has yet retained that name—also to any friends that I may have in sweet Philadelphia Yrs resptly Sarah Anna Rose sends her love to her little playmate Edward and also to Myrtilla. How much I should like to see them again

Our weather has been & continues intensely cold with rain & damp in place of sunshine & a dry genial atmosphere. We can hardly be comfortable with large fires & extra cloathing for our houses are not built for extreme cold nor are our servants prepared for it; there is something in their nature repugnant to cold & like the beaver they would remain torpid until Spring if our demands on their services were not so imperative. We have had some of your citizens among us who seem astonished to meet the cold winds of winter instead of spring & flowers: Among our strangers are Mrs B Henry & daughter of your city very fashionable people. The Mother a very intelligent fascinating woman who has been beautiful but the scythe of father Time has nearly destroyed it all! The daughter is a beautiful blonde brought up too much in fashionable to inherit her mothers talents or acquirements. As they were with their relatives the Henrys I saw much of them. We have also a Mrs & Mr Aulden residents of Philadelphia Mr A is chaplin in the Navy & alth-ough very cultivated & accomplished people, moving in a different circle from the Henrys in your city but receiving much attention in ours. I am happy to learn the good fortune of our friends & trust as they increase in worldly goods so may they in piety & religion & may their purses & hearts be ever open to the wants of their fellow creatures. While the Fickle God is so liberally pouring his blessings on some of

your friends could you not allure him to bestow a few of his favors on a certain friend of yours who would endeavour to make good use of them. I am glad you have by your perseverance succeeded in organizing a Jewish publication Society in America May you be able to carry out your plan. I feel assured many bless-ings will attend your exertions & the poor will more particularly feel the advantage of your untiring efforts. I said from what I could learn you would have many subscribers in Charleston & you have taken a sensible course by acting under the rose & making it appear as if you were only an agent & not an originator of this good object! Those who know you feel that the benifit of the Jews & their Salvation is your highest aim. Like all great men your good deeds will live after you & this must console you for the many hard rubs you have received from those you have by your independence prejudiced you against you. I have inclosed the poetry I would satisfy your curiosity which seems to be equal to a womans but The Dying Hebrew was sent S A by a friend & we know not the author. Mana? is not re-converted that I know of, she is not however more advanced in the Christian faith as she only attends church occasionally-but she rides & goes to parties on Sabbath in truth I cannot tell what she is for she appears different at different times. I do not believe she is writing or studying any thing & I asked Anna & she said she knew no more than I did about it. Her Father reques

ted her to examine the scriptures before she decided & she may be making up her mind. She is my relative but I think her of the ? Worldly entré nous. As S A wishes to add a few lines, I must conclude after requesting you to remember me to all those who ask after me. What can a plain moderate sized bible with good print be bought at? We want them for our Sunday school. May your health & strength be equal to your exertions in the cause of our blessed faith prays an unworthy
member of the house of Israel
R C Moïse
Mr Leeser
Dear Sir
Mother asked me to copy the piece sent, I hope it will suit you, and if it does, I have another given me by the same friend thought I am acquainted with the authoress. The other piece is called “Rachael's pillar in the wilderness” and though the style is quite simple I think it pretty. Perhaps it is requisite for you, to have only superior productions, if so I fear my contributions will be deemed unworthy. There are a few questions Dear Sir that I have for some time wished to have answered satisfactorily, if it would not be too much trouble I would really feel indebted if you would explain them. Pray excuse this informal visit of mine, you no doubt deem me an intruder, but forgive this first act & like the children I promise not to do so again Pray give my love to cousin A & R. Hart and tell them

Identifier

LSKAP0250