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Frankfurt – A. M.
Aug. 21st 69
My Dear Mrs. Slataper:
On my return from Scotland, three days since, I found your most acceptable letter quietly awaiting me written now, so many weeks since. Taddie & myself had been absent from this place seven weeks & have been so far north in Europe, as to see day light closing in upon us at eleven o’clock. PM and morning light, at 3 AM.
2 Our old & dear friend, Dr. Smith, 73 years of age & very feeble, anticipating that he will not live much longer & desirous of seeing us before his departure, insisted so much upon our visit to him this summer, that we concluded to do so. We went to London via Paris, remaining at the latter place only 5 days, but sight seeing every moment of our time. In London – the kind good old man came down by steamer & met us. There we also remained 5 days. Beautiful, glorious Scotland has spoilt me for every other Country. It appears to me, that
3 we saw every place, yet I presume we might remain five months there, continually travelling round, without doing so- We visited. Abbotsford, Dryburgh Abbey – passed six days in charming Edinburgh seeing oh so much! Glascow, journeys on the Clyde – all through the west of dear old Scotia, Burn’s birth place, saw the nook in the wall – where he first saw light. Went to Greenock – heaved a sigh over poor “Highland Mary’s grave – went out into the ocean – entered Fingal’s Cave visited Glencoe – Castles innumerable Balmoral – Dunsimore
4 the latter perfectly fairly land. Visited Glamis Castle – saw the room & the bed on which poor King Duncan was murdered – Stepped on the same step – that Mary Queen of Scots, jumped into the canoe from her prison home at Lochleven. I cannot begin to enumerate all the places of interest we visited. I am convinced that I shall never again be able to arouse myself to take such another interest in any other country, I may chance to visit. I hastened back as Taddie had been delayed ten days after the commencement of his school.
5 We returned via Ostend- Brussels. Went out to the battle field of Waterloo. I returned here with rather a heavy heart, my usual accompaniment of the last few years. But have had a very agreeable surprise in finding a very particular friend with her family – from Philadelphia. A most charming lady, she had searched for me every where written me letters enquiring my whereabouts when I was in. Went out to Hombourg and strange to say but it will not surprise either you or I – the day after my return
6 stopping myself, at an hotel here where I never dreamed I should be she came here also – bag & baggage as she said in quest of me. She is now here – and we sat up in my room last night & until 3 this morning talking over former happy days. We were very intimate in Washington. They remain in E. three years & I suppose we will be much together. Her name is Mrs James Orne of Phil. They are immensely wealthy & she is as unaffected & overflowing with love for her friends as if she were penniless. She is accompanied by two very sweet young daughters – her
7 maid & valet. I forgot to mention a brother. She is very much shocked that I should have no waiting woman & says a better time is coming for me. Poor me! Heaven grant it. Her brother, Charles O’Neil is a member of Congress from Phil. They are a very delightful family – and has written to me continually, since the fearful loss of my darling husband. If you remember, her writing me when we were at Bedford, to come on to Phil & make her a visit before sailing for E. I wish you knew this sweet woman.
8 She said it was an irresistible impulse, for her two or three ago, to leave Homburg for Fr. & on entering the hotel, remarked to her daughters “I have a presentiment that Mrs Lincoln, is in this house” and before she had taken off her bonnet she was in my room & we sat up that whole night together too. A gentleman next door, knocked several times during the night saying “ladies, I should like to sleep some.” We amused ourselves very much, over his discomforture. Last night – another sufferer – rang the bell for the waiter & quiet at [continues as overlapping sideways writing on bottom right margin] 2 o’clock this AM.
[Overlapping sideways writing on page 1- top left side reads as]
Please burn this & oblige me, by telling no one save Mrs Gross of my recent journey to S. Will explain hereafter.