Jenny Lind letter to Catherine Stanley, 1860 September 18

[in pencil:] sheet 2?

[handwritten in ink:] Hawbury 18. sept. 1860

Blessed Mrs. Stanley --

I just received your dear letter of the 26 Augt. from Meran, when I was leaving [ ? ] -- and full as my heart was then of all I felt on that occasion I took care not to open your letter before I arrived here - well knowing how every one of your words sink down deep down into my soul and I could not receive more impressions than

I was able to bear - but now - since I am rested after my journey and quite up to a conversation with you - I have read your refreshing letter - and see everything before me what you describe and am delighted that Meran has made just that impression upon you as I thought it would. My heart is too full about all what you and I myself have seen this [summer?] so I can write not much about it - I must talk to you - and this will be - I trust - not very far off.

how I rejoice that you have had so much to interest you in Germany, and - [now? ] what did I say you about dear Doctor Vaughan? Was there any reason for you, dearest Mrs. Stanley, to have distrust in his future? how happy we are to know that Dr. V. himsef and all dear to him have now a reason to be happy and contended. What a thing for Mrs V. to be able to lead a more quiet life.

We left Stockholm

on the 10th inst. and had a beautiful and quick passage over the Baltic. We are all, thank God, very well. I am very actif and even happy and have been ever since I through God's grace overcame the [ first? ] impression of unexpected new responsability most cheerful and contended, and when a woman in circumstances like mine at present is bodily so strong, so well - it is only to

have the more reason to wonder at God's wonderful arrangements in these as in all things. I with the children remain here still 1012 days, during which time Mr. Goldschmidt is going to Munich, Nürnberg, Leipzig and [ ? ] all in business, partly for his Choral books and partly or our privat affairs. Josephine returns to Argyle Lodge tomorow morning, and

3.

takes this letter with her. I go to Dover in about 2 weeks and intend remain there for a little time until they get our house ready. I suppose I shall be at home - will God - in the middle of October. Will you then be in London? I long to press your hands and see your smile and to pour out my heart before you. how grieved I am to find my poor Sweden

still so immoral - so indolent - so allmost forsaken by God. - but - how can God bless a people or a country wherein the Devil in all his different shapes and qualities is so worshipped and so called upon in the most awful oaths that any Swede allmost bears on his tongue! With heavy heart I left my darling rocks and wild flowers and cristel-clear lakes - but am thankful to have got rid of my

countrymen's swearing though still echoing in my sensitive ears! - so it is, dear Mrs. Stanley O - life has so many bitter drafts that we must empty. still - I don't know, but I feel cheerful and thankful and am not so easily put down as I was before. Otto is my earthly treasure and feels so the same things as I do - that I only have to carry the half of every thing. Walter is nervous, wild - sometimes not easy to manage - but I try to keep my authority over him,. both children are extremely lively. Jenny is sweet - quite a little girl now.

God bless you - keep on loving a little your loving child

Jenny