Transcript of Letter from Emma Stebbins to Sidney Lanier, May 11, 1876

Emma Stebbins desires to get in touch with publishers, she wants to contact Osgood & Co. first. She consults with Ned and Emma Cushman. They are still in the processing of collecting material for the memoir to which they refer as "the book." Stebbins informs about Cushman's estate and fincancial issues about the biography.

Transcripts by Jennie Lorenz

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[page 1] (John Hopkins Libr.) Hyde Park, N.Y. May 11^th 1876

My Dear Lanier—

I have been lookig[sic] with anxiety for news of you—and fear from your not writing as you promised—you must have been—prhaps [sic] are still—ill, you seemed so far from well when I last saw you—I have been very poorly myself, and am still weak, from a succession of bad colds, and the general low and depressed condition of mind and body, still this could not have prevented my writing if I had not felt uncertain of your whereabouts. I have so poor a memory that I had forgotten your Southern address, and it has only been by looking back among your letters that I am reminded of it—Mr. Cushman returned from St. Louis about two weeks since—and Mrs. C. being also in New York we talked over all the possibilities regarding the book arriving at the conclusion that it was not worth-while to send out especially to England for material, as he thinks whatever there is there, can be gathered for us by these on the spot. I have already written to several friends there—for this purpose We also decided that I should write to the Publishers and see what they would be inclined to do. I began with Osgood and Co.—as I had promised them they should have the first chance. I took the whole matter on my own shoulders and plainly said I was not prepared to meet any pecuniary outlay in advance. If they were willing to entr [sic] into negotiations it would be necessary for them to make all the disbursements— and especially to meet all your expenses while you were engaged upon the work. To this lettr [sic] I have as yet received no answer I thought I would hear what they had to say before applying elsewhere—from their delay, I presume they are considering the proposition—I told them/ we could not promise the book for any special time—was indeed to be in a hurry with it—as materials had yet to be gathered together, etc. as soon as I hear for them I will let you know the

[page 2] result—meantime I wish you would drop me a line—or if you are not able—perhaps your wife will kindly do so. We are all anxious to hear from you—I should explain to you Ned's reasons for holding back from pecuniary outlay upon the look at present. He finds that for this year the entire income of Miss C's will be absorbed in paying the various +++  and heavy expenses incident to the settting up of an estate—It is beside a good deal affected by the present low financial condition of affairs, so that he cannot count upon anything from it— while his own personal expenses are increased by the change. I am writing from Hyde Park—My sister's place on the Hudsen where we have come on a picnis expedition, for change of air and scene. If I could enjoy anything—it would be the loveliness of the early spring in this exquisite +++. but all the sweetest things now make me the saddest—they go +++ too deep—and +++ use[?] too much that innermost which has been +++ used[?] [inserted] so long and so sorely wounded—I have suffered so much here—as indeed, where have I not—sad associations chester round every placl, and between them and the sadness within—they is not a gleam of joy—This one cannot be helpee, can it dear poet—for one who cannot sing?—I wish I had you her now to enjoy what I cannot— Sister sends you hr best remembrances, she loves nature so well that its beauty and ple peace fills her to the exclusion of despondency—I am so glad it is so for her—but although oldr [sic] than I am—I think how much younger she is in spirit always with true affection— your friend
E.S.