Chapter XI HOME-LIFE IN HARTFORD Letter written by Philander Chase to his two young sons at school: Hartford, Dec 16, 1812 "My Dear Sons: "We were very glad to see Mrs. Beach and to receive your letters by them. Phil'rs. shoes I have engaged and they will be sent by Mr. Beach. The watch, I this morning carried to be mended and regulated --- I fear more time will be required to this end, than to have it in my power to send it by this opportunity; as soon as it is done, you shall have it. "I am happy to hear, dear George, that you are admitted to the society of young men associated for religious improvement: This however is in the full trust that there will be no food for vanity in extemporaneous effusions on the subjects o four Holy Faith. If ever there should be anything of this nature, I enjoin it upon you to give me early notice, and from that moment you must withdraw. "I hope, Geo., that you keep your mind, as often as occasion permits, on the subject of the Holy Eucharist and that you inseparably join Devotion with all your inquiries. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to hear you and Philander make good progress in this bounden duty and that your hearts accompany your faith, as the Soul, the body. Next Easter, should it please God, and your requirements be adequate and your conduct worthy, I shall admit you to the participation of that Heavenly Sacrifice thro' which is the forgiveness of sins and eternal Life. To this end may God bless all that you do. "And dear boys, let me say something to you of the pleasure which the news of your good conduct, brought by Mr. Beach, gave me. Never can I be too thankful that you preserve and exercise the principles of Honor and Truth and that you keep your minds and bodies from the pollutions of a wicked world. This as to the main things , I trust is the case. But George, I do not like the smoking habits of a boy of 15, especially after what has passed between you and your hon'd mother. "Be above board in all you do --- while you are young learn to submit to the wishes of those who have a right to command and who love you. Should this not be sufficient, you will hear from me again. "Mr. Imlay and family and Mrs. Glover and Mrs. Sigourney often mention you with much affection as do many others. "I have filled my paper ---should anything more occur, I shall give it to you in a post-script. In the meantime, ever be assured of my love, my prayers and my constant exertions to promote your happiness. "May God ever have you in His Holy keeping. "Philr. Chase" >From George Chase, a boy of sixteen, to his cousin, Intrepid Morse, describing life at Hartford: "Hartford, Aprl 30th, 1814 Dear Cousin Intrepid: "You can scarce conceive of the pleasure I felt when I beheld the tall spires of Hartford and the cloud of smoke that rose from her buildings. 'Away with care and melancholy' was the expression I made as I jumped from the stage before our door. Our family were all well and very glad to see me. Grandmother has gone to Vermont to see Aunt Batchelor, who is dangerously ill. Our respected Grandpa died on the 13th of the month. Thus we drop off one after the other, till all with whom we are now enjoying life (or rather enduring her miseries) shall be forgotten, beneath the turf. Our fathers where are they? and do the prophets live forever? "Uncle Dudley returned this way from Congress and we spent two days very agreeably together. As to politics, he is very much altered, instead of hitching that into conversation everywhere, he is modest and silent. Disgusted with slave holders and company of the South, he spoke with rapture of beholding the streets here crowded with white people and rosy healthy children, issuing from school. No slaves are here forced to lift the heavy burden, to feel the lash of the Negro driver, or know that they are bound to sweat for another until their labors and their life shall be finished by death. Never did Uncle Dudley appear so great and so noble as at present. His ingenuous confessions have endeared him to me more than ever. "The Church still increases and it affords us sincere delight to observe people once so violently opposed to her ordinances returning like the prodigal son, to their duty. . . . two young men, the pupils of Parson Flint in he languages, came to Church one Sunday out of pure motives of curiosity. They were astonished at the Beauty of Holiness there displayed, as they afterward told, and returned to the synagogue no more (Cheshire Meeting House). Hunting I am particularly pleased with, for he is a brother bard. 'Birds of a feather flock together' On Sunday evenings we used to have meetings at our house, composed of principally of Church people. To these father gave such advice as was proper, or read one of Jones' lectures, or some other good book. One evening unfortunately I fell asleep owing to my infirm state of health. Father pointed to me before the whole company, in which was the long loved C. (???) I was mortified , in the usual way of expressing it, to death, but my dear mother came up with her reserve of excuses and secured my retreat in the other room. They have since changed the meetings to the Church, where father preaches a sermon of his own. The writing and delivering three a week almost overcomes him. ............. "May 3rd. "The celebrated and the charming Mrs. Emily Phillips has favored us with her company two or three weeks since I have been home. She displayed her books, her writings and various collections for our amusement,but the greatest was the display of her own lively talents. The more I am acquainted with her, the more I admire her extraordinary talent and taste. The Nine (???) seem to accompany her, for one evening when the fire blazed cheerfully and every face was illuminated with smiles, the whole family struck their harps, and such sweet music never was heard since the days of Orpheus and Eurydice. In short we all turned poets. (hmmm.) The method of writing was this, each one wrote a verse upon some subject and doubling the paper down passed it down to the rest. Philander (his brother) was considered passionately fond of Ally Painter, now gone to her home in MIddlebury, Vermont and Orrin always bowed very low to Miss Harriet Norton. Mine they have never discovered. That's lucky. "Philander (his brother) requested me to assist him in writing some posey which he intended to send to Miss E. R. accompanied with a beautiful rose << Alas Miss Painter>>. I proposed an acrostic and putting our heads together we composed the following: "Eliz dear, this blushing rose, Like Heaven's fair tints at evening's close I send to you in manner plain, Zealous your smiles esteem'd to gain. And when, dear girl, this rose you see, Remember, oh remember me! Of this fair rose, though short the stay, Yet let remembrance longer sway, Still as the fading flower you view Eliz, pleasing thought renew." "You dear Intrepid, who like us have ganwed your pen & dash'd it to the ground, when writing acrostics, can fancy perhaps how difficult it was to make those plaguey initials come in just right ............. "Thus far, dear cousin, I have written a great deal concerning myself. I now revert with increas'd pleasure to you and yours. I have reserved this page to give you freely my mind concerning certain subjects. I have asked father what he would think if I should enter into the society of the Moravains. 'If you had any real design of going there I would tell you, but it is not possible, you should have got any whim in your head' 'Well, suppose I had what would you say?' 'all I should say would be this, you would one day bitterly repent it.' ........ .................. These few thoughts, dear coz, I have flung together,hoping you will excuse their boldness and their imperfection and view only the heart and feelings with which they are delivered. "This letter I have written at different times, and therefore excuse the want of regularity, the mistakes, egotism, &c. with which is crowded, and I am your affect. George Chase "The gallant Com. McD.---- was confirmed with us two or three years since, --- perhaps you do not remember him, as his utmost exertions had procured him little celebrity on the lake. The Secretary of the Navy is his bitterest enemy merely because he is a federalist. Such conduct ought to displace him from office. "The Commodore married a Miss ___ in Middleton. He is a communicant in our Holy Church. His bravery is needless for me to mention, he has prov'd it by the most glorious actions. "Last night an express came into town announcing the arrival of between 10 and 11 sail of the line of New London, and that they had demanded the surrender of the place, giving them one day to prepare. They can never take the place until half the men are killed. Such enthusiasm prevails here and everywhere. A great many young men have gone from this place. Thus you see the effects of this hasty, ill judged and wicked war, when will it end? Heaven knows! "Salmon was here to return with aunt, when we arrived home. I wish, Intrepid, he had more experience. Would you believe it? he has enlisted in the U.S. Army, and he even wished to associate with the troops here in town. Could you once behold these miserable creatures you would exclaim. 'Alas, for my country when its honor is defended by such creatures as these.' "Write me a long letter soon and tell me where I shall direct the answer. Tell me of every circumstance that has befallen you, what were your thoughts when climbing the steeps of the Green Mountains and what have been your adventures on the romantic banks of the Hudson? "My dear father sends his best love to you and tells you to continue in that path of virtue you have so sincerely begun. He cannot write to you at present, for he has scarcely time to write his two sermons a week, and besides he sees a great deal of company. "Pray excuse this hasty, ill written scrawl and believe me your affectionate friend. George "P. S.--- Dear Mother sends her love to you & requests you to remain as good a churchman as you were at Cheshire; End Chapter XI Harriet M. Chase hatchase@uswest.net