MELVILLE, Frances Priscilla (1827-1885). Autograph letter signed ("Fanny") to Augusta Melville, Longwood, 19 February 1854.

In pencil. Four pages, bifolium, 200 x 128mm.

Reporting on Thomas Melville's return to sea and other family news. Herman's sister writes that "Tom has just returned from the ship … And says he is going to write you a note this evening…" and that he would be returning to sea aboard the ship Meteor "this Saturday. I am so sorry that he will not have time to go home before he leaves, it is to bad … that you can not bid him good bye, he is disappointed too that he will not see you again. He is very busy, goes in to the city, before breakfast and does not come out until about seven in the evening, so we do not see but very little of him, but that little is something." She adds that she will be "going down to see the vessel some day this week. Mr. Griggs and all. I am delighted at the idea, for I have never been over a ship." She describes a trip into Boston to see the ship, as well as a visit with "Aunt Priss" en route as well as a "call upon Mrs. Shaw" and "on leaving … we took the 'bus" as they say here, and reached home about two o'clock." Thomas Melville was already a well-travelled officer in the merchant service by this time. In 1860 Herman sailed with Tom aboard the Meteor to travel to San Francisco (see lot 600).