Transcript of Letter from Charlotte Cushman to [Sidney Lanier], June 23, 1875

Dublin Core

Title

Transcript of Letter from Charlotte Cushman to [Sidney Lanier], June 23, 1875

Subject

Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
Lanier, Sidney, 1842-1881
Illness
Relationships--Networks
Transcript

Description

Charlotte Cushman wants to meet Lanier. Her illness is always present. She asked for another operation to improve her help but her doctor from Boston informed her that it was too late for such a treatment. Cushman reads the press reports about Lanier's works, here referring to the Tribune.

Transcripts by Jennie Lorenz

Credit

Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Creator

Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876

Source

LoC, JLP 1

Date

1875-06-23

Type

Reference

Letter Item Type Metadata

Text

[page 1]

Dear friend.

Your sweet & welcome lettr [sic] of 17th reached me 22nd. I was so glad to hear from you for I had become anxious that perhaps your work had been too much for you & that your enemy had tried to overtake you again. Hearing that Miss Stebbins' letter had not reached you & that a papr [sic] which I wished you to receive about Sidney Dobell—would not get to you in safety I sent it to Mr. Peacock—think if he would hear of or from you or your wife before we did—he was to forward it. I wanted you to see it—for I knew that you appreciated the sweet gentle scholarly mind—I thought you would send me some word about it—which I might send to his dishard delicated [inserted] & feeble widow (who will not be long behind him&) who craves every word with hungry affection—which is said of him in a praiseful intelligent way. I knew you would say something & that something I should ask you to let me send to hr [sic] as a solace in hr [sic] loneliness. I was too busy & too suffering to send you a line when I sent the papr [sic]—but have intended writing you 'every day in the hour.' Fate has been stronger than my will—Ever since I came hre [sic] in the 5th inst—I have been suffering more than I like to tell you of—and—and—shall I confers[?, sic] it— despair seized me & threw me & for a time I was demoralized to an hourly weeping—but at last—not being able to face the pain longer I sent to Boston for my surgeon offering to lie down again undr [sic] heroic treatment—to escape the terror of this increasing & growing gnawing near my heart. When he arrived & declared we were too late for such or any othr [sic] treatment but anodynes & palliation. he also spurned me for my want of 'pluck! Why should I give way?' I 'plucked up drown'd honour [from Shakespeare, Henry IV]! and since a week ago have +++  a little better what is very hard— for I am not an enduring woman—fighting—struggling

[page 2] rebelling—conquering—but not enduring for one moment physical pain—So you see—I have not been able to write— —Dear Dr. Lippi of Phila whom the Peacocks so love & honour—came on here to pass Sunday with me & comforted me a little with 'Ponds Extract' outwardly & a '+++ inwardly—but so inflen infinitesimal?— that but for a faith in him—muy courage would fhy again. Miss Stebbins and hr [sic] two lovely women sisters are with me new [sic]—but wend [sic] their way to Lenox on the? 1st of July—to finish up Miss Stebbins [sic] cottage—which needs the mistress' foot & eye—I shall remain here until into August at least—I want you to find me any time you can make it convenient to come—either here or at Lenox—we have always a room for you. & what would be so nice for your wife—if she can come with you—If you must be in New York for the +++ & your book—I can send you the address of two little nieces of mine who keep house there—where they would be thankful to board you cheaply. & you would find care and thoughtfulness—If you are in Phila. you will be watched over by the Peacocks who love you 'evr [sic] so much!—You can easily run to me from eithr [sic] city—& I shall be so glad for you to see me surrounded by my belongings which are sweet & healthful.—come do come! The 'symphony' reads better every time—& the Powr [sic] of Prayer' is sweet touching & strong. do one has ever placed the southern negro so faithfully or picturesquely. No. a thousand times, no. There is no discredit on being able to write such a poem—only the daring to write & publish such a poem. so early in your career may make vulgar people wonder as they always do & will—You have sent +++  criticism of you in the Golden Age? Have you seen the Tribune article yr [?, sic] Cabuls [(?/?)] book +++ I do so want you to know him: Come here & rest a bit & believe me evr [sic]—whethr [sic] in pain or out of it,

affectionately yours

Charlotte Cushman 

From

Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876

To

Lanier, Sidney, 1842-1881

Location

Villa Cushman, Newport, RI, US

Geocode (Latitude)

41.4899827

Geocode (Longitude)

-71.3137707

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Geolocation

Collection

Citation

Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876, “Transcript of Letter from Charlotte Cushman to [Sidney Lanier], June 23, 1875,” Archival Gossip Collection, accessed March 28, 2024, https://www.archivalgossip.com/collection/items/show/289.

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