Letter from Charlotte Cushman to James Thomas Fields, Dec 31, 1864

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[page 1] Dear friend
many thanks for your welcome [?] +++ of Nov. 10". Parcel of books reached me quite safely in Liverpool & are now reposing on my table in the Eternal City. some of them delighting good Americans who love the "feel" of Ticknor & Fields books. many thanks for the same! Please continue to send me the Atlantic here. & always to care of Maquay [?] +++ & Hooker [?]. So that when I am away in the summer they may be taken care of. Miss Hosmer brought gave [inserted] the Dr [?] number [?] - which is capital! I am so +++ to hear of the illness of Annies [sic] mother it must be great sorrow to you all. I had recognized the little poems & most charming they are. she should have nothing to do but think & write. Give her one dear love! I have heard of her through Annie Brewster. an old dear friend of my younger days. – I have heard from Miss Seward that the books had arrived - for this & all I am your debtor. but I am "good for the +++". & will pay! when?" burn [?] — by. The news from home fill us with wonder love & praise. & we commence the fear with +++! The news of the 17^th is with us! When will exchange go down. ask we poor people — when [?] as sculptors — are obliged to live in Rome. Give it a pull down — do. & " +++ will ever pray +++" - If it goes on much longer we had better have no money

[page 2] to send. & appropos [sic] of this. I am sending a letter through you to D^r Howe Though on second thoughts I dont [sic] suppose you could speak to him. Still you can agitate. & so. force some action on his part without appearing personally to him. He sent again for the measurements of the +++ of the statue. having lost them. This is the fourth time they have been sent. & in replying to his letter Emma has taken occasion to speak about getting the money which they paid into Henry Stebbins hands--over to pay Müller for the casting. she cannot pay the exchange & though the statue is ready to come. she cannot pay Müller for it on an account of exchange. Will you read her letter for your own guidance. & then seal it up & send it to D^r Howe. You might perhaps speak to +++ & +++ about it. Will you do this for me. & greatly oblige me. she has to pay Müller interest on the value of the statue. to prevent his pressing for payment! Take this matter into your giant hands & do what you can for her.—When the statue gets home & is ready to be put up +++ +++ intention to come to Boston. & get up a performance at the Theatre. to raise something to pay Emma for her labour in the statue — but say nothing of this all well. Rome not full. weather dreadfully wet not cold. You have seen the little "Englisher" — what thinks you
affy [affectionately] yours
Charlotte & Emma