Transcript of Letter from Emma Stebbins to Sidney Lanier, June 6, 1876

Dublin Core

Title

Transcript of Letter from Emma Stebbins to Sidney Lanier, June 6, 1876

Subject

Stebbins, Emma, 1815-1882
Lanier, Sidney, 1842-1881
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
Cushman, Emma Crow, 1839-1920
Intimacy--As topic
Intimacy--As Source
Frustration
Arts--Literature
Transcript
England

Description

Emma Crow Cushman handed over some documents to Emma Stebbins, among which was Charlotte Cushman's diary from the time when she had gone to England (1845). Stebbins admits that it is difficult to read. Stebbins laments that the process of writing the memoir is delayed due to Osgood's (publisher) "silence." Stebbins addresses Lanier as the person in charge of the biography.

Transcripts by Jennie Lorenz

Credit

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

Creator

Stebbins, Emma, 1815-1882

Source

LoC, JLP 2

Date

1876-06-06

Type

Reference

Letter Item Type Metadata

Text

[page 1] My dear Friend—

Your lettr [sic] +++ +++ Lenox and up to my Ithaca journey, which was too severe for me in my preset conditin [sic] of health—as well as by the cares which beset me here. 'Blessed be nothing' as my Grandmother used to say, and as I feel whenever I come into the responsibility of my property—even to write about it is a care to me—I am quite at a loss to understand Mr. Osgoods [sic] silence, because be could easily have got someone to write for him, to explain why he did not do so himself—it looks discouragly [sic], and I feel it on your account—to whom it is of such pressing importance. However, you will probably know all—before this can reach you—I accept whatever you suggest—you are the moving/principle, and must move at your will—my department being simply to feed & tend you duly—This I will strive my best to do if I can only feel a little bettr [sic] and & [inserted] stronger—but just now I am not good for much, even the cares of housekeeping and the necessity of fixing my mind on daily bread & meat & vegbles is quite too much for me. I shall hope to be bettr [sic] after a time and shall do my best to keep you supplied—but oh the difficulties in to way! real ones—not (s)exist lions—though they are rampant—Mrs. Cushman brought me some materials to lot over—among them a diary of C.C.'s own—written before and aftr [sic] hr [sic] arrival in England in 1845—not


[page 2] extending much over/ a year—and so finely written in pencil that I could only decypher it with a magnifiying glass!—no letters yet—Mrs. C. must first go ovr [sic] them herself, and each one of them is so long and so finely written that it would take an hour to go over it. May God give me strength for it—and if he don't— well—I shall think it is all right—I am grieved for your uncertainties dear—and it must not be—If Osgood cannot decide quickly we must apply elsewhere—but for myself I am glad of what you tell me—that you shall be able to go on without burrying me—for I am at present utterly unable to give my mind to the work—I write in haste—while one waits for the lettr [sic]—Addio[sic, ?]— always yours faithfully

E.S.

Present me to the Peacocks with love—ask Mr P. if he has yet got any glimpse or clue to Mr Tiltons [sic] pictures. They were in 'the supply' —the steamship sent out to collect works for the Centl. [Envelope addressed:]

Sydney Lanier Esq. care of Gibson Peacock, Esq. 1425 Walnut St. Philadelphia

[In pencil across end of Envelope:]

2215 Young >del/> Spring Garden — Nelly Keely"

From

Stebbins, Emma, 1815-1882

To

Lanier, Sidney, 1842-1881

Location

Lenox, MA, US

Geocode (Latitude)

40.8816547

Geocode (Longitude)

-94.5619095

Social Bookmarking

Geolocation

Collection

Citation

Stebbins, Emma, 1815-1882, “Transcript of Letter from Emma Stebbins to Sidney Lanier, June 6, 1876,” Archival Gossip Collection, accessed March 29, 2024, https://www.archivalgossip.com/collection/items/show/310.

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