Letter from Kate Field to Charlotte Cushman, Mar 15, 1860
Dublin Core
Title
Subject
Description
Charlotte Cushman is constantly referred to as 'Romeo' in letters from Field.
Credit
Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.Creator
Source
Date
Type
Letter Item Type Metadata
Text
[3295] Beloved Romeo;
We've had a capital instalment from Casa Cushman and now we only need the head of the establishment and her other half to explain "How is the winter of our discontent made glorious by the coming of the House of C." (Good gracious Max! Shakspere never divided his winter as I have written it!) I like the Crows very much indeed.. They are charming girls, good looking girls, interesting girls, intelligent girls and for the first time in my long life I find friends of my childhood whom I would be [duly] too happy to make the friends of my old age. They have made good use of their advantages and are the only American girls I have seen who do abroad, who do credit to our country. very glad I've seen them, very sorry they leave so soon and very desirous to meet them again. After all is said and done, there are no girls like American girls, no boys like American boys and par consequence no men and women like those grown in America. [Hurrah] for the American eagles, Crows and all other birds of freedom! We all think Hattie Hosmer is looking very well, and find her as, abandoned a character as ever [last two words inserted] as for your incorrigible nephew he is as impudent as ever if not more so, but I've had my revenge in making him go through a course of bell-ringing, fire-making, camp. feeding, and general cloaking. I'll give him a first-rate character if the
[3295 reverse] worst ever comes to the worst. He has done a good thing in deserting the treacherous ocean. +++, mother and I are once more together and I hope (for the rhyme) that are never may sever.[?] I am tranquilly happy to have my loving, loved mother caring for me, trying to make me a moral woman and forgiving me though I don't much profit by her efforts, until today she has exclaimed "well Kate, I suppose it is useless to attempt alterations or repairs in you; people will have to take you as you are and if you are misunderstood" you must make the best of the misunderstanding." So you see mother is forgetting her propriety most rapidly and very shortly will be qualified for our set. We are living comfortably in a small way and +++ expect to remain as the M. D. says I ought not to travel. mother is looking wells and is pleased with everything so why should run the risk of my health to be perhaps very unhappy in America[?] – Aunt Corda[?] I now in Turin, thence to Milan, after to Venice. This is all. I know but suppose they will visit here for a few days at least & after returning to America in May. - I've done all I can with respect to myself to reconcile uncle +++. I can do no more. We're all standing on our heads with joy at the undoubted annexation of Tuscany to Piedmont. Only five percent of notes in favor of a separate Kingdom and nearly
[3296] all the voters went to the polls. as this not the best confutation of Codinisen[?] possible. as singular fact that the Contadini belonging to the Ricasoli estate voted one and all for separation. It is supposed that Ricasoli would not have it asserted that he had used his influence, therefore left them to their own devices, priests worked upon their superstition and, therefore hence [inserted] the result. an affray was the consequence. many of the nobles a few days before the voting went to their estates and exharted their contadinis to vote for Victor Emanuel. "But" said they - "We cannot. the priests tell us that we will be eternally damned if we vote for as King whom the Pope has excommunicated." "very well" replied the nobles "you have your choice. Victor Emanuel and my employ or a separate kingdom and you leave presto!" This reducing of the matter down to bread and butter brought the contadini to their senses and of course they preferred good living and nostro Ri to starvation and eternal salvation! Touch the pocket and you touch what is worth more than the promised land to most people especially contadini I've +++ +++ according to orders and found Rome beautitul passaged likewise - the Napolean sketch which pleased me much. But the book as a whole was to me very unsatisfactory. George Sand takes you very far into +++, +++ very poetically but never reaches a landing place and leaves you very uncomfortably flapping your worn out wings
[3296 reverse] half way between Heaven and Earth
16 March.
Such a row last night! our appartment is between Palazzo Ricasoli and the station of the national Guard so that we have the benefit of all the patriotic yelling in town. Yesterday was the festa for annexation. The day passed mildly enough, but the +++ of night was the signal for the rise of forces which reaches a +++ +++ about three this morning. Bands, +++ +++, crowds, so dense that you could have walked on their heads. Of such is the Kingdom of Piedmont; on the rack of excitement from +++ ever till morn, a reverse not conducive to sleep, but one must makes some sacrifices for one's country. – Miss +++ is here at last and not at all well but a fine woman indeed. Hubby sayes she grows an inch in a day in intellect since +++ companionship with Miss C. Think what a Jack's beam. pole of mind she'll be in the course of time. They intend beating up recruit for a ragged, +++ and comprehensive +++ schools all to +++ +++ end in villa +++. Think of the pleas! I don't believe I'm a philanthropist de facto. Give my love to Miss Stebbins, Mr. & Mrs. Browning and Mr & Mrs. Fields. Mrs. Fields is sweet is she not? And Mr. F. was very kind to me when here. Are they to return? - Do you ever see Dr. Burridge? If so, please tell him that Mrs[?] Field of Florence is anxious to know if he returns this spring as she wishes to pay her debt and has more work for him. I'm afraid of the dentists here. — Mother joins in best love to yourself, and we hope you. won't play the traitor and return to England without a drop into Florence. – So if you hear anything about Garibaldi Mr. [Trollope] went to Turin to obtain Gar's paper for a "Life"[?] but nothing could be obtained as the general could not be heard from. Oh dear! How everybody finds his level! I'll have us more heroes. Let me have a phrotagraph of your new bust that I hear hear so highly praised Ever yours, Kate Field.
Miss Charlotte Cushman. Rome Per steamer Young Ned.
