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[stationery mark on page Englischer Hof Frankfort A/M]
Hotel d'Angleterre Frankfort A' Main Dec 13th '68
My dear Mrs Slataper
In this distant land, how can I sufficiently express the great pleasure your kind letter, has afforded me! It is such a pleasure to be thus remembered, when we are separated from those we truly love!
I came to Frankfort, expecting to remain a week, and now Christmas is almost upon us. When I was reading "John Ross Browne's" description of a winter & very especially a "Christmas" in Frankfort, I then scarcely expected to be here, to witness & pass through similar scenes. It was in the famous Alleghanies last summer, that his account was read. Certainly I expect in no place on the habitable globe do they make greater preparations for these holy days, than in F. There appears more to tempt one here than elsewhere. The shops are very beautiful and [illegible] [illegible] Americans [illegible] said to
have increased the prices. We are considered in Europe (& very justly) a most prodigal people---and this place has become a great resort for more quiet Americans. We have quite a little colony, at our hotel---which is considered the aristocratic one in F. All the nobility stop here, Counts, Dukes & Dutchesses abound in the house, and on my table, their cards are frequently laid. Yet in consideration of poor health & deep mourning, I have of course accepted no dinner invitations & have kept very quiet. Popp, the most charming of all dress makers, who receives many orders from America and makes for the royal family of Prussia & all the nobility, has just made me up some heavy mourning silks, richly trimmed with crape. The heaviest blk English Crape here, is only in our money $1.50 cts per yard. think of it. when in war times---I once gave, ten dollars per yard, for the heaviest! [Herr?] Popp has made dresses for Queen Victoria's daughters so long that a [illegible] years since when [illegible rest of line]
at this house---she sent for him & of course he obeyed the summons. He is a very modest man & never speaks of it himself! How different some of our boastful Americans, would be! I like Frankfort exceedingly, the true secret is, I suppose, I am enjoying peace, which in my deepest, heart sending sorrow, I was not allowed in my native land! I find it quite as expensive here as in America & as I am urged by my physicians to proceed to Italy very soon---at least I expect to start about the 22nd of January & remain until 1st April. That fearful, sorrowful month, will be spent very quietly here on my return. I wish those dear eyes of yours could become clairvoyant & [visit?] sunny Italy---its churches, paintings & all objects of interest with me. What happiness it would be of you were only with me! I am beginning to realize, why it is, that Europe spoils so many men & [illegible] [especially?] women. There is [illegible next line]
which we do not dream of in America. My rooms are on the same floor with Consul Murphy & wife, Mrs Mason of N.Y. & Mrs General Robert Allen & daughter of U.S. Army. Mrs M. is the wife of the Organ Mason, a very superior woman, we are much together---yet the attraction is so different from what I feel towards you. Her children have been so long going to school here & she has been in Germany so much herself, that she has imbibed many of their philosophical ideas, which are often startling to me. She requires that softness of character, without which no woman can be lovely. Notwithstanding I like her, I can perceive that she has been demoralised, as we called our Army men often. On yesterday, two American gentlemen friends, called to see me, they asked me if I was homesick, I told them I pined for a glass of American ice water---the latter here is impossible & really dangerous to drink. Wine, of course is universally used & yet I have never seen a person the least [illegible] intoxicated [illegible] days
Since I visited a building one thousand years 1,000 years old to see the portraits of about fifty German Emperors, some of them older than the building. The chairs on which these men sat, the stone floors on which they trod, every thing, of course possesses a charm for me---as I advance in my travels, the interest will certainly increase. I am sending you, my dear friend, a tedious account [of?] my movements, write me, I pray you, and tell me what dear Mrs Gross & yourself are doing. The weather is so mild here, at present, that my fire has died out, so different, from your weather I suspect. I often hear from Robert & Mary---the latter writes me often calling me "Dear Mother"---and says she is so happy. Wonders whether I am not almost ready to return to them. Dear child, it may be a weary day, ere I recross the broad Atlantic, not that my thoughts will not be daily, hourly with [illegible] so dear [illegible]
I am convinced the longer I live that life and its blessings are not so entirely unjustly distributed, are when we are suffering greatly, we are inclined to suppose. My home for so many years, was so rich in love & happiness; now I am so lonely & isolated whilst others live on in a careless lukewarm state---not appearing to fill 'Longfellow's measure. "Into each life, some rain must fall." I have read his "Tragedies, there is no doubt, but what he us a spiritualist. Himself & Daughters are now in Paris. I hope we will all meet "somewhere". Taddie, has some little Christmas remembrances for your daughter & Mrs Gross---which I hope ere long, he will have an opportunity to send. He likes his school & is a most affectionate, amiable tempered child. he is recovering from his homesickness. Do write me so soon as you receive this---so that I may hear from you before I leave for Italy. With much love to all your family, Mrs Gross & husband I remain, with much affection
[line illegible]
M Lincoln
[written vertically on page 1]
Will you be able to decipher this [scrawl?] M.L.
Via Hamburg Mrs Felician Slataper Pittsburgh U.S.A.=Pennsylvania
Care of F. Slataper Esq Civil Engineer
[stationery mark on envelope Englischer Hof Frankfort A/M]