Difference between revisions of "Millet to Stoddard: June 9, 1875"
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| − | [[Millet to Stoddard: | + | Letter 4: [[Letters of Frank Millet to Charles Warren Stoddard: May 10, 1875 - January 3, 1900]] |
| + | ----- | ||
| − | My dear Charlie: -- Your last with the letter to Donny Adams came the day before | + | |
| − | yesterday. The A’s were booked for going away on Saturday, and not having | + | My dear Charlie: -- Your last with the letter to Donny Adams [nickname of Charlotte Adams] came the day before |
| + | yesterday. The A’s [Charles Francis Adams and his family] were booked for going away on Saturday, and not having | ||
received the letter I went up to call on Mr. Warner on Saturday last and on my | received the letter I went up to call on Mr. Warner on Saturday last and on my | ||
| − | way home dropped in on the Fletchers. | + | way home dropped in on the Fletchers. Found Mrs. F. out and Dudee [Julia Constance Fletcher] at home |
| − | spooning with a young man. As I was evidently de trop, I skimmed off on my ear | + | spooning with a young man.<ref>For the identification of Julie Constance (Dudee) Fletcher see {{Katz, Love}}, page 211. The verb "to spoon", as used by Millet and Stoddard, had a variety of meanings for them. It approximates the contemporary term "making out".</ref> As I was evidently de trop [superfluous], I skimmed off on my ear |
as soon as I could and left ‘em alone. But I, in the course of my short chat asked | as soon as I could and left ‘em alone. But I, in the course of my short chat asked | ||
Dudee if I might present Donny, assuring her it was your desire etc. etc. that they | Dudee if I might present Donny, assuring her it was your desire etc. etc. that they | ||
should know each other. Dudee of course “would be only too happy” and I was | should know each other. Dudee of course “would be only too happy” and I was | ||
[page 2] going to accomplish the deed this week but your letter came as I have | [page 2] going to accomplish the deed this week but your letter came as I have | ||
| − | said and I immediately sent it up by Toni. Donny got dressed to go and present it | + | said and I immediately sent it up [evidently, to Donny/Charlotte Adams] by Toni. Donny got dressed to go and present it [to Dudee/Julia] then got scared and concluded she would not heard the lion in his den and came |
| − | then got scared and concluded she would not heard the lion in his den and came | ||
trotting down here to consult. After much begging she succeeded in persuading | trotting down here to consult. After much begging she succeeded in persuading | ||
| − | me to accompany her that evening. Took the gondola, went up the canal, found | + | me to accompany her that evening. |
| − | Dudee starting out on a spoon with a fellow – the same one – they didn’t see us. | + | |
| + | |||
| + | [Space added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Took the gondola, went up the canal, found | ||
| + | Dudee [Julia] starting out on a spoon with a fellow – the same one – they didn’t see us. | ||
We turned about, got alongside and fired the whole broadside at once. Mutual | We turned about, got alongside and fired the whole broadside at once. Mutual | ||
interchange of compliments between the young ladies, much soft soap and | interchange of compliments between the young ladies, much soft soap and | ||
entertaining chatter for a few moments. Engagement to meet and swap letters | entertaining chatter for a few moments. Engagement to meet and swap letters | ||
| − | on Wed. (this afternoon). We turned about [page 3] and drove on, gaumed about | + | on Wed. (this afternoon). We turned about [page 3] and drove on, gaumed about [hung out] |
a little and came home. So after very much talk about it Donny at last has met | a little and came home. So after very much talk about it Donny at last has met | ||
| − | her idol!! --- Speriamo that she has not created too exalted an ideal. | + | her idol!! --- Speriamo [Italian: hope] that she has not created too exalted an ideal.<ref>The relationship of Donny and Dudee is discussed in {{Katz, Love}}.</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [Space added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Mr. and | ||
Mrs. Warner have gone to the Harris’ to stay as I found and as I went to call last | Mrs. Warner have gone to the Harris’ to stay as I found and as I went to call last | ||
night. I haven’t seen ‘em yet, left your letter and was to call when they were in | night. I haven’t seen ‘em yet, left your letter and was to call when they were in | ||
| Line 30: | Line 43: | ||
Rosenberg has married Mrs. Van Hamm, the mother of the little sculptress he | Rosenberg has married Mrs. Van Hamm, the mother of the little sculptress he | ||
| − | was so much interested in. | + | was so much interested in. Mrs. Harris has spent all winter in getting her (Mrs. H’s) [Mrs. Van Hamm's] property transferred or twisted about so I could be of service to [page 4] them here and now. The poor Mrs. Harris is in agony because she has spent all |
| − | H’s) property transferred or twisted about so I could be of service to [page 4] | ||
| − | them here and now | ||
her time and efforts to help the Van Hamms and has only feathered the nest of | her time and efforts to help the Van Hamms and has only feathered the nest of | ||
Rosenberg whom she hates most cordially. | Rosenberg whom she hates most cordially. | ||
| − | Gossip # 2. Someone has written Dudee that Miss Adams is engaged to Will | + | Gossip # 2. Someone has written Dudee [Julie Fletcher] that Miss Adams is engaged to Will Green. It is to my mind only a mistake in the Miss Adams. They meant Donny [Charlotte Adams] & not the Tickor Adamses.<ref>This may be a reference to George Ticknor, an associate of Charles Francis Adams, Senior, and his family. Further research is required.</ref> Donny doesn’t look displeased at the reception of the rumor. |
| − | Green. | ||
| − | & not the | ||
| − | rumor. | ||
| Line 53: | Line 61: | ||
most of the time. Couldn’t stand it any longer and went to see a doctor. He said | most of the time. Couldn’t stand it any longer and went to see a doctor. He said | ||
it was rheumatism and gave me something to rub on and now I am all O.K. I got | it was rheumatism and gave me something to rub on and now I am all O.K. I got | ||
| − | this rheumatism from working out on the loggia in the draughts and too the damn | + | this rheumatism from working out on the loggia [a roofed open gallery especially at an upper story] in the draughts and too the damn winter has foiled it up I suppose. I didn’t know what was the matter, suffocation, |
| − | winter has foiled it up I suppose. I didn’t know what was the matter, suffocation, | ||
pains etc. That’s why I didn’t write you last week. | pains etc. That’s why I didn’t write you last week. | ||
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[page 6] by all means. You go to the Bishopsgate Station. Train leaves about 6 | [page 6] by all means. You go to the Bishopsgate Station. Train leaves about 6 | ||
p.m. and you buy a ticket to Antwerp simply enough second class is good | p.m. and you buy a ticket to Antwerp simply enough second class is good | ||
| − | enough unless you want to come swell. | + | enough unless you want to come swell. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [Spaces added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | If by any mischance I am not there, go | ||
direct to the Hotel du Americain, Rue aux Lits, where I used to live and they will | direct to the Hotel du Americain, Rue aux Lits, where I used to live and they will | ||
fix you up. You will find Americans there too. But I shall be there on that date | fix you up. You will find Americans there too. But I shall be there on that date | ||
| Line 73: | Line 86: | ||
cannot I shall know it long enough beforehand [page 7] to be able to give you | cannot I shall know it long enough beforehand [page 7] to be able to give you | ||
warning. | warning. | ||
| + | |||
I have lost all ambition and am only anxious to get away. | I have lost all ambition and am only anxious to get away. | ||
| Line 84: | Line 98: | ||
| − | Write me often.. | + | Write me often . . that’s a good boy. I’ll do the best I can. All send regards. I |
send more than the sum to the whole with a sandwich of love between the slices. | send more than the sum to the whole with a sandwich of love between the slices. | ||
Eat and be happy. | Eat and be happy. | ||
| Line 94: | Line 108: | ||
Frank | Frank | ||
| − | [Additional note] | + | |
| + | [Additional note included with above letter] | ||
Thursday, June 10 | Thursday, June 10 | ||
| − | P.S. I open this to tell you that it is a damned scirocos day and that yesterday | + | |
| − | the Warners called; also Miss Fletcher came to the door to inquire the way to the | + | P.S. I open this to tell you that it is a damned scirocos [windy] day and that yesterday |
| − | Adamses. | + | the Warners called; also Miss [Julia] Fletcher came to the door to inquire the way to the |
| + | Adamses. [Charles Dudley] Warner [a journalist] says he shall write you soon. He’s got heaps of stuff on | ||
hand, lots of newspaper work etc. Wishes he could transfer some to you. He will | hand, lots of newspaper work etc. Wishes he could transfer some to you. He will | ||
| − | stay here three weeks to write up his Egyptian trip. Benson came day before | + | stay here three weeks to write up his Egyptian trip.<ref>Charles Dudley Warner, a Hartford journalist, wrote a tongue-in-cheek account of a trip he made to Egypt in 1874-1875 titled My Winter on the Nile Among the Mummies and Moslems (Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company, 1876).</ref> Benson came day before |
| − | yesterday. Ben, Arthur, the Adamses and I gaumed in the moonlight last night | + | yesterday. Ben, Arthur, the Adamses and I gaumed [hung out] in the moonlight last night |
until 11 p.m. then came in and ate strawberries & cherries and sucked all the | until 11 p.m. then came in and ate strawberries & cherries and sucked all the | ||
| − | eggs in the house [ | + | eggs in the house. [The saying, "teach your grandmother to suck eggs" is British & Australian, and means to give advice to someone about a subject that they already know more about than you.]<ref>See: http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/teach+grandmother+to+suck+eggs</ref> They will send regards. Miss F[letcher] sends love and “I will write.” |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | write.” | ||
The A’s think they may meet us in Bruxelles after all. I don’t believe it. Yours | The A’s think they may meet us in Bruxelles after all. I don’t believe it. Yours | ||
| − | [drawing of bleeding heart with arrow through it] How high is that! | + | [Millet here adds a drawing of bleeding heart with arrow through it] [[File:Aaaa Heart.jpeg]] How high is that! ["What do you think of that?"<ref>See {{Katz, Love}} for "How high is that?" meaning "What do you think of that?".</ref> |
Frank | Frank | ||
| + | -------------- | ||
| + | |||
| + | =[[Next: Letter 5: Millet to Stoddard: June 18, 1875]]= | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Notes= | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
Latest revision as of 18:46, 31 March 2012
Letter 4: Letters of Frank Millet to Charles Warren Stoddard: May 10, 1875 - January 3, 1900
My dear Charlie: -- Your last with the letter to Donny Adams [nickname of Charlotte Adams] came the day before
yesterday. The A’s [Charles Francis Adams and his family] were booked for going away on Saturday, and not having
received the letter I went up to call on Mr. Warner on Saturday last and on my
way home dropped in on the Fletchers. Found Mrs. F. out and Dudee [Julia Constance Fletcher] at home
spooning with a young man.[1] As I was evidently de trop [superfluous], I skimmed off on my ear
as soon as I could and left ‘em alone. But I, in the course of my short chat asked
Dudee if I might present Donny, assuring her it was your desire etc. etc. that they
should know each other. Dudee of course “would be only too happy” and I was
[page 2] going to accomplish the deed this week but your letter came as I have
said and I immediately sent it up [evidently, to Donny/Charlotte Adams] by Toni. Donny got dressed to go and present it [to Dudee/Julia] then got scared and concluded she would not heard the lion in his den and came
trotting down here to consult. After much begging she succeeded in persuading
me to accompany her that evening.
[Space added to facilitate reading.]
Took the gondola, went up the canal, found
Dudee [Julia] starting out on a spoon with a fellow – the same one – they didn’t see us.
We turned about, got alongside and fired the whole broadside at once. Mutual
interchange of compliments between the young ladies, much soft soap and
entertaining chatter for a few moments. Engagement to meet and swap letters
on Wed. (this afternoon). We turned about [page 3] and drove on, gaumed about [hung out]
a little and came home. So after very much talk about it Donny at last has met
her idol!! --- Speriamo [Italian: hope] that she has not created too exalted an ideal.[2]
[Space added to facilitate reading.]
Mr. and
Mrs. Warner have gone to the Harris’ to stay as I found and as I went to call last
night. I haven’t seen ‘em yet, left your letter and was to call when they were in
which wasn’t last night. Now I suppose mother Harris will tote ‘em down here.
Gossip:--
Rosenberg has married Mrs. Van Hamm, the mother of the little sculptress he
was so much interested in. Mrs. Harris has spent all winter in getting her (Mrs. H’s) [Mrs. Van Hamm's] property transferred or twisted about so I could be of service to [page 4] them here and now. The poor Mrs. Harris is in agony because she has spent all
her time and efforts to help the Van Hamms and has only feathered the nest of
Rosenberg whom she hates most cordially.
Gossip # 2. Someone has written Dudee [Julie Fletcher] that Miss Adams is engaged to Will Green. It is to my mind only a mistake in the Miss Adams. They meant Donny [Charlotte Adams] & not the Tickor Adamses.[3] Donny doesn’t look displeased at the reception of the rumor.
“Bless you my children.”
Ben comes down every night now.
I’ve been sick. Began a week ago Sunday and could not work or anything until
Monday last so lost a [page 5] straight week. Was in bed or rather on top of it
most of the time. Couldn’t stand it any longer and went to see a doctor. He said
it was rheumatism and gave me something to rub on and now I am all O.K. I got
this rheumatism from working out on the loggia [a roofed open gallery especially at an upper story] in the draughts and too the damn winter has foiled it up I suppose. I didn’t know what was the matter, suffocation,
pains etc. That’s why I didn’t write you last week.
About meeting in Brussels, I must be there about the 10th of July. The best way
to do is this. You plan now to take the Harwich boat on Friday the ninth of July
and on the morning of Saturday the 10th I will meet you at the dock in Antwerp.
The boat leaves Harwich on Monday, Wed. & Friday and this is the best route
[page 6] by all means. You go to the Bishopsgate Station. Train leaves about 6
p.m. and you buy a ticket to Antwerp simply enough second class is good
enough unless you want to come swell.
[Spaces added to facilitate reading.]
If by any mischance I am not there, go
direct to the Hotel du Americain, Rue aux Lits, where I used to live and they will
fix you up. You will find Americans there too. But I shall be there on that date
unless we make a new appointment. If I have to change this date a few days
sooner or later I will let you know in time enough. If you can’t come then let me
know and if you fail at last moment direct to me care of American Consul,
Antwerp. I see no reason why I cannot be there on the 10th but as I’ve said if I
cannot I shall know it long enough beforehand [page 7] to be able to give you
warning.
I have lost all ambition and am only anxious to get away.
Since I got your last letter I have passed two good nights dreamless and waking
only in the morning. I recon it was the influence of the letter or the prayer.
The Adamses say I am always thinking of you – they ought to know.
Write me often . . that’s a good boy. I’ll do the best I can. All send regards. I
send more than the sum to the whole with a sandwich of love between the slices.
Eat and be happy.
Love with all my heart
Frank
[Additional note included with above letter]
Thursday, June 10
P.S. I open this to tell you that it is a damned scirocos [windy] day and that yesterday the Warners called; also Miss [Julia] Fletcher came to the door to inquire the way to the Adamses. [Charles Dudley] Warner [a journalist] says he shall write you soon. He’s got heaps of stuff on hand, lots of newspaper work etc. Wishes he could transfer some to you. He will stay here three weeks to write up his Egyptian trip.[4] Benson came day before yesterday. Ben, Arthur, the Adamses and I gaumed [hung out] in the moonlight last night until 11 p.m. then came in and ate strawberries & cherries and sucked all the eggs in the house. [The saying, "teach your grandmother to suck eggs" is British & Australian, and means to give advice to someone about a subject that they already know more about than you.][5] They will send regards. Miss F[letcher] sends love and “I will write.”
The A’s think they may meet us in Bruxelles after all. I don’t believe it. Yours
[Millet here adds a drawing of bleeding heart with arrow through it] 
How high is that! ["What do you think of that?"[6]
Frank
Next: Letter 5: Millet to Stoddard: June 18, 1875
Notes
- ↑ For the identification of Julie Constance (Dudee) Fletcher see Jonathan Ned Katz, Love Stories: Sex Between Men Before Homosexuality (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001), page 211. The verb "to spoon", as used by Millet and Stoddard, had a variety of meanings for them. It approximates the contemporary term "making out".
- ↑ The relationship of Donny and Dudee is discussed in Jonathan Ned Katz, Love Stories: Sex Between Men Before Homosexuality (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001).
- ↑ This may be a reference to George Ticknor, an associate of Charles Francis Adams, Senior, and his family. Further research is required.
- ↑ Charles Dudley Warner, a Hartford journalist, wrote a tongue-in-cheek account of a trip he made to Egypt in 1874-1875 titled My Winter on the Nile Among the Mummies and Moslems (Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company, 1876).
- ↑ See: http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/teach+grandmother+to+suck+eggs
- ↑ See Jonathan Ned Katz, Love Stories: Sex Between Men Before Homosexuality (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001) for "How high is that?" meaning "What do you think of that?".
