Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Helen Hunt Jackson, Nov 23, 1869
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Helen Hunt Jackson, Nov 23, 1869
Subject
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
Jackson, Helen Hunt
Relationships-- Intimate--Same-sex
Sentimental
Description
Charlotte Cushman is grateful for a gift from Helen Hunt and tells her that she loves her.
Transcripts courtesy of Nancy Knipe, Colorado College.
Transcripts courtesy of Nancy Knipe, Colorado College.
Creator
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
Source
Colorado College, Tutt Library, Helen Hunt Jackson Papers, Part 2, Ms 0156, Box 2, Folder 34, letters from Charlotte Cushman to HH, 1869-70. Transcribed by Nancy Knipe, 2005.
Date
1869-11-23
Type
Reference
Letter Item Type Metadata
Text
How can I say to you what I feel as the trust you have reposed in me? Thanks are too poor a recompense, & love is only worth, as it is given for love's sake only, so though I do love you I do thank you very dearly, I will only say, how I will cherish & prize your gift = for it brings me not only your mind & its fruits, but it brings me your physical self, in this labour, albeit one of love, of your hand, head & heart. I have then your heart bodily as well as in that other sweet comforting way.
Ought I not to feel rich at finding myself so estimated? Yes, I ought and yes, dear, I know myself so much better than you know me: know that I am not really all you think I am: know that I do not merit the high place you have given me: know that I am not a fitting "Shrine whereon to lay your odorous incense:" know that but for the beautiful drapery which your poetical imagination has thrown around me, I should be, as I am, bare & unworthy, only a practical common sense person, whom God has mercifully blessed by a vocation, that vocation being a willing & anxious helpmate to those who may want her, letting herself go, to help as she may be able, actively or passively!
I have looked only casually through your beautiful [?], at your Eyes, your hands, your [digestion?], how they have worked in this work for me, what have I done, that they should be thus exercised for me? What?
Darling,
I have written these two notes to Miss Cobb & Madame Venturi. I have spoken to them both about you, but it may be sometime before you deliver these notes, and I have brought you to their minds again in a way, which makes musical the Envelopes! You will see a good many curious people through Mad. Venturi (an English woman married to an Italian, now a widow, but so [clever?], under an awkward outside) a worshipper of Carlyle [Maggini?] & all the [Gods?] so, value her) ask her if she knows any way through which first for love of me & then you, she can contrive to let you see George Elliot [sic].
Write to me a line dear to Hotel [Brighton?] telling me what you have done at Malvern. I wrote to Dr Sully last night telling him about the Elliots & your bringing them to him for help. You must make a little love to the Dr. he is very susceptible & not at all troublesome. I never tried this, because I have always been too old, but I know those who have - successfully! God bless you, darling, get well & strong & believe me ever & ever your faithfully loving
Charlotte C-
Ought I not to feel rich at finding myself so estimated? Yes, I ought and yes, dear, I know myself so much better than you know me: know that I am not really all you think I am: know that I do not merit the high place you have given me: know that I am not a fitting "Shrine whereon to lay your odorous incense:" know that but for the beautiful drapery which your poetical imagination has thrown around me, I should be, as I am, bare & unworthy, only a practical common sense person, whom God has mercifully blessed by a vocation, that vocation being a willing & anxious helpmate to those who may want her, letting herself go, to help as she may be able, actively or passively!
I have looked only casually through your beautiful [?], at your Eyes, your hands, your [digestion?], how they have worked in this work for me, what have I done, that they should be thus exercised for me? What?
Darling,
I have written these two notes to Miss Cobb & Madame Venturi. I have spoken to them both about you, but it may be sometime before you deliver these notes, and I have brought you to their minds again in a way, which makes musical the Envelopes! You will see a good many curious people through Mad. Venturi (an English woman married to an Italian, now a widow, but so [clever?], under an awkward outside) a worshipper of Carlyle [Maggini?] & all the [Gods?] so, value her) ask her if she knows any way through which first for love of me & then you, she can contrive to let you see George Elliot [sic].
Write to me a line dear to Hotel [Brighton?] telling me what you have done at Malvern. I wrote to Dr Sully last night telling him about the Elliots & your bringing them to him for help. You must make a little love to the Dr. he is very susceptible & not at all troublesome. I never tried this, because I have always been too old, but I know those who have - successfully! God bless you, darling, get well & strong & believe me ever & ever your faithfully loving
Charlotte C-
From
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
To
Jackson, Helen Hunt, 1830-1885
Social Bookmarking
Collection
Citation
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876, “Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Helen Hunt Jackson, Nov 23, 1869,” Archival Gossip Collection, accessed April 19, 2024, https://www.archivalgossip.com/collection/items/show/436.