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

Dublin Core

Title

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

Subject

Stebbins, Emma, 1815-1882
Transcript
Lanier, Sidney, 1842-1881
Intimacy--As topic
Cushman, Emma Crow, 1839-1920
Intimacy--As Source
Death
England
Relationships-- Intimate--Same-sex
Sentimental
Arts--Literature
Reputation

Description

Emma Stebbins tells Lanier about several letters from Charlotte Cushman to her mother. She does not want to include letters of an early lover of Cushman, a person Cushman seemingly was engaged to. She does not include a name here. The documents have been sent to her by Emma Cushman. Her own letters that Charlotte Cushman sent to Emma Cushman during her time in Rome are with Emma Crow Cushman and she does not want to share them. Stebbins also mentions a scrapbook with articles from Cushman's time as an actress in England. Eventually, Stebbins explains that she does not want to be the author but only an editor of the memoir.

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

1876-07-06

Type

Reference

Letter Item Type Metadata

Text

I can let you know in very few words what I have here. I have about a dozen letters from Miss C. to her Mother – from 1844-1845 (about a year) written on her first arrival in England – covering the +++ of her first success .- then I have a little vol. containing a diary of the same period - not longer - much of it written in pencil - so fine and pale that I can scarcely decipher it even with a magnifying class. I have also a package of letters written to her by an early lover – to whom I think she was engaged – these I have not looked over – but I do not think they contain much that is suitable for our purpose. This is all that Mrs. Cushman has sent me, these I could sift[?] in a very short time expect the Diary which would be difficult – it contains mere memoranda – the parts she acts - the names of people she sees etc. I do not know what other material Mrs. C has beside her own letters from Miß C – which are numerous –but all written from Rome – none covering the England ground – which was before Mrs. C’s time. – Her own letters +++ Mrs. C. is unable at present to look over and she does not feel inclined to give them out of her own hands until she does – naturally. I have asked her to let me have all she can – but I fear she is not in condition now to do anything about it. - I do not see how these obstacles are to be met – do you? There is a scrapbook containing newspaper notices of her acting in England at Villa Cushman – had not this better be sent to you? […] At any rate I would not be willing to appear on the title page as anything but compiler or editor or whatever other name you choose, perhaps Osgood might object to this – as he seemed to think my name might be of some value – but I can’t help it- I want him to understand that I am not to be committed in any manner to authorship where I have no claim – Will you see to this for me without delays in case he wished to begin advertising- it may be known that I have some interested in the book – but it must not be put forth as my production. […] All this makes me feel more and more deeply the loss of my helper and comforter who always stood between me & care of all kinds – this world is a desert for me without her - and I don’t see how I can stay in it.

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, “Partial Transcript of Letter from Emma Stebbins to Sidney Lanier, July 6, 1876,” Archival Gossip Collection, accessed March 28, 2024, https://www.archivalgossip.com/collection/items/show/313.

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