[1843 Autograph Letter Signed by M.E. Ellison of Providence, Rhode Island to Her friend in Plymouth, New Hampshire discussing Books, Library Cataloging, Lectures by a Polish Military Officer, and a visit by President John Tyler].

“I was quite amused by your story of the Millerites and the gold heads…”

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An appealing letter regarding educational books, a visit to Providence by President John Tyler, the arrival of a circus, and a course of public lectures by Colonel Lemenowsky, a former officer in Napoleon’s army. The letter briefly mentions Charles Coffin Jewett, then of Brown University, who was cataloging the library of Andover Theological Seminary.

M.E. “Elly” Ellison begins her letter to Miss Harriet E. Green of Plymouth, New Hampshire by discussing such books as Virgil’s Aeneid, “Geography of the Heavens,” and “Colebury’s First Lessons.” She then describes happenings in Providence:

I was quite amused by your story of the Millerites and the gold heads. The advocates of their doctrine have been quite still since April, (the time when the last day was expected) – in these quarters. — We had a visit from the President [John Tyler], when he was on his way to Boston. Not much enthusiasm is felt for him in this little State, owing to the two-sided course he took in regard to the Dorr trouble [Rhode Island Governor Thomas Door’s Rebellion]. He was afraid of displeasing either party, & the consequence was that he drew upon himself the indignation of both. They rang the bells and fired the cannons, upon his arrival, as a matter of course, but they showed him no honor which they were not obliged, in common civility, to show him. Not a single volunteer company joined the military part of the escort – & there was no shouting or cheering. The whole looked like a ridiculous piece of burlesque. In Boston they had a grand parade on the 17th – because it was the 17th – but many people say that they were afraid to do all the shouting & cheering they otherwise would, lest the President should take it to himself.

The next day after the President had been here, the caravan of animals which is now exhibiting throughout the land, reached Providence headed by four elephants who kept time with the music, in their march. We have recently had an exceedingly interesting course of lectures from Colonel Lemenowsky, a Polish officer who was in the army of Napoleon, 23 years.  [Lemenowsky often lectured on the end of the Spanish Inquisition and on his friend Empress Josephine Bonaparte.] … He is now a minister of the Lutheran denomination, & of course he does not justify such wars as those waged by the ambitious Bonaparte. Still his enthusiasm for the man is unbounded, and Josephine, who was a very kind friend to him, he seems to love as if she was his mother. He commanded the troops who broke up & destroyed the old Spanish Inquisition, at Madrid, & he give us a very minute description of the scene – of the consternation of the Inquisitors, and of the terrible collection of those who were found chained in the dungeons. Some persons in Boston were inclined to think him a humbug, but there are gentlemen in Providence who have known him these twenty years, & who have perfect confidence in his christian character, & so we had no drawback upon the pleasure we had in hearing him. He is between 70 & 80 years of age. … Mr. Jewett has just gone to Andover for three weeks to attend to his Catalogue. He was very well when he left ... Has the Influenza reached N. Hampshire? About one third of the inhabitants of Providence are suffering from it. My two sisters have had it – Maria, pretty severely. In some cases it has proved fatal & in many others, very severe. Sore throat & very severe pains in the back and limbs, are its usual attendants.

A news-filled letter from one friend to another.

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