Difference between revisions of "Millet to Stoddard: August 25, 1875"
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[Letter 11: [[Letters of Frank Millet to Charles Warren Stoddard: May 10, 1875 - January 3, 1900]] | [Letter 11: [[Letters of Frank Millet to Charles Warren Stoddard: May 10, 1875 - January 3, 1900]] | ||
| + | -------- | ||
| + | East Bridgewater | ||
| − | |||
August 25, 1875 | August 25, 1875 | ||
| + | |||
Most beloved Chumemeke: -- | Most beloved Chumemeke: -- | ||
| + | |||
A glorious sunset – it only wants the mood to make the evening perfect. But of | A glorious sunset – it only wants the mood to make the evening perfect. But of | ||
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any other sex) with whom I could enjoy any beauties of nature or of art without: | any other sex) with whom I could enjoy any beauties of nature or of art without: | ||
the feeling that one, or both of us was a porcupine with each quill as sensitive as | the feeling that one, or both of us was a porcupine with each quill as sensitive as | ||
| − | a bare nerve. If you were here, Charlie, I could, perhaps, be happy. When am I | + | a bare nerve. If you were here, Charlie, I could, perhaps, be happy. |
| − | coming back? You ask in your letter just received. I have not changed the date | + | |
| + | |||
| + | [Spaced added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | When am I coming back? You ask in your letter just received. I have not changed the date | ||
yet. Immediately after Thanksgiving which comes on the last Thursday in | yet. Immediately after Thanksgiving which comes on the last Thursday in | ||
November. I tell everybody that this is the time I am going back, and everybody | November. I tell everybody that this is the time I am going back, and everybody | ||
| − | is | + | is [page 2] making up their minds that on that date I leave the country. So there |
is no manner of doubt about it at all, my boy, as I have already written two or | is no manner of doubt about it at all, my boy, as I have already written two or | ||
| − | three times. I have been home but very little as yet – only two weeks in the | + | three times. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [Spaced added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | I have been home but very little as yet – only two weeks in the | ||
country, anyway, and the most of the time in Boston. I wrote you I think, about | country, anyway, and the most of the time in Boston. I wrote you I think, about | ||
my studio. We have just finished shingling the roof today. We work 12 hours a | my studio. We have just finished shingling the roof today. We work 12 hours a | ||
| Line 25: | Line 39: | ||
– stow away all my books and papers and be able to write at my ease there. It is | – stow away all my books and papers and be able to write at my ease there. It is | ||
only a temporary affair but a desirable one so I can lock all my things up when I | only a temporary affair but a desirable one so I can lock all my things up when I | ||
| − | go away and give the keys to Father to keep the children out. Last Sunday I | + | go away and give the keys to Father to keep the children out. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [Space added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Last Sunday I | ||
spent with the Adams in Quincy, or rather we spent it down the harbour in his | spent with the Adams in Quincy, or rather we spent it down the harbour in his | ||
yacht and I passed the most peaceful 41 hours I have since I landed. Great | yacht and I passed the most peaceful 41 hours I have since I landed. Great | ||
house, plenty of servants, a good literary atmosphere, good dinners, good wines, | house, plenty of servants, a good literary atmosphere, good dinners, good wines, | ||
[page 3] and good cheer. Mr. A, who has been a good friend of mine says of | [page 3] and good cheer. Mr. A, who has been a good friend of mine says of | ||
| − | course I must return in the fall. I have, of course, very many invitations. I refuse, | + | course I must return in the fall. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [Spaced added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | I have, of course, very many invitations. I refuse, | ||
all I can. Since I have been in this town I have only been across the street once. | all I can. Since I have been in this town I have only been across the street once. | ||
Stick in my own dooryard all the time. I don’t care, a d--- what my friends think. | Stick in my own dooryard all the time. I don’t care, a d--- what my friends think. | ||
There is a first rate club in Boston, composed of Bohemians, where I can plunge | There is a first rate club in Boston, composed of Bohemians, where I can plunge | ||
into all the magazines and newspapers. Five rooms, the best I ever saw. There in | into all the magazines and newspapers. Five rooms, the best I ever saw. There in | ||
| − | Lippincotts I read your “Sawdust Fairy” and Donny’s “Saint Bernard.” | + | Lippincotts [magazine] I read your “Sawdust Fairy” and Donny’s “Saint Bernard.”<ref>"Doonny" was a nickname for Charlotte Adams. See: C. W. Stoddard, "A Sawdust Fairy", and Charlotte Adams, "The Hospice of the Great St. Bernard", ''Lippincott's Magazine'', September 1875. Charlotte Adams does not seem to be related to Charles F. Adams, Jr. and her identity has not been established.</ref> In the |
| − | Overland is published her Provincial Rhapsody. I also have seen in the Overland | + | Overland [Monthly] is published her Provincial Rhapsody. I also have seen in the Overland |
| − | a poem of yours about Venice. Joaquin has changed his spots at least I hear he | + | a poem of yours about Venice.<ref>Charles Warren Stoddard, "The Message" [poem], page 496.</ref> Joaquin [Miller, known as a writer about the American west] has changed his spots at least I hear he has gone to Jersey or some other out of the way state. He is in for lectures on |
| − | has gone to Jersey or some other out of the way state. He is in for lectures on | + | “New Rome & New Romans”, “New Italy”, “Afloat in Venice.[”] The conceited |
| − | “New Rome & New Romans”, “New Italy”, “Afloat in | ||
ass! What does he know about the Italians or afloat in Venice? I’d like to hear | ass! What does he know about the Italians or afloat in Venice? I’d like to hear | ||
| − | the latter. Shall if I possibly [page 4] can. Newspaper business is awfully dull. | + | the latter. Shall if I possibly [page 4] can. |
| − | Can’t get a thing to do or a cent for anything. It never has been so flat before. I | + | |
| + | |||
| + | [Space added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Newspaper business is awfully dull. Can’t get a thing to do or a cent for anything. It never has been so flat before. I | ||
had a little thing in the “Courier” which I send you. It is sort of funny, I think, even | had a little thing in the “Courier” which I send you. It is sort of funny, I think, even | ||
| − | in dog days. Dog days are | + | in dog days. Dog days are scirocos [windy] days and no discount. We have here nothing but |
dog days since I arrived and this and the mixed up state of my affairs makes me | dog days since I arrived and this and the mixed up state of my affairs makes me | ||
write as I do. Hungry! I’d give all I possess if you were here to lie down under | write as I do. Hungry! I’d give all I possess if you were here to lie down under | ||
| − | the pines on the river side and gaum with me for a season! But let us have | + | the pines on the river side and gaum [hang out] with me for a season! But let us have |
| − | patience and we shall meet again. In the same mail with yours (the last | + | patience and we shall meet again. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [Space added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | In the same mail with yours (the last | ||
containing the two letters of introduction for, with many thanks) came one from | containing the two letters of introduction for, with many thanks) came one from | ||
| − | Mrs. Adams. A very good letter I am really glad if there is nothing between | + | Mrs. Adams. A very good letter[.] I am really glad if there is nothing between |
| − | Donny and Will | + | Donny [Charlotte Adams] and Will Green -— but I don’t believe Mrs. A. if she wrote you that. She |
may say so, but what I saw at St. Elisa in Donny’s face told a different story. | may say so, but what I saw at St. Elisa in Donny’s face told a different story. | ||
| − | How could she be so foolish. | + | How could she be so foolish. Oh, I have had a letter from that creature. I |
returned it unopened and without a word. Mrs. Adams who predicted great | returned it unopened and without a word. Mrs. Adams who predicted great | ||
things may now be satisfied that I shall not return with Mrs. Millet. I hope to hear | things may now be satisfied that I shall not return with Mrs. Millet. I hope to hear | ||
| − | from Donny soon. But it is late and I’ll stop. Shall write more a week always, | + | from Donny soon. |
| + | |||
| + | [Space added to facilitate reading.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | But it is late and I’ll stop. Shall write more a week always, | ||
dear old boy and when we meet we’ll have it out. With much love I am always | dear old boy and when we meet we’ll have it out. With much love I am always | ||
yours – | yours – | ||
| + | |||
Frank | Frank | ||
| + | ---------- | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Next: Letter 12: [[Millet to Stoddard: October 19, 1875]]= | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =Notes= | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
Latest revision as of 19:37, 31 March 2012
[Letter 11: Letters of Frank Millet to Charles Warren Stoddard: May 10, 1875 - January 3, 1900
East Bridgewater
August 25, 1875
Most beloved Chumemeke: --
A glorious sunset – it only wants the mood to make the evening perfect. But of
course I cannot enjoy it, for two reasons: First: the soul killing association with
these good country people. Second: the absence of the only one of my sex (or
any other sex) with whom I could enjoy any beauties of nature or of art without:
the feeling that one, or both of us was a porcupine with each quill as sensitive as
a bare nerve. If you were here, Charlie, I could, perhaps, be happy.
[Spaced added to facilitate reading.]
When am I coming back? You ask in your letter just received. I have not changed the date
yet. Immediately after Thanksgiving which comes on the last Thursday in
November. I tell everybody that this is the time I am going back, and everybody
is [page 2] making up their minds that on that date I leave the country. So there
is no manner of doubt about it at all, my boy, as I have already written two or
three times.
[Spaced added to facilitate reading.]
I have been home but very little as yet – only two weeks in the
country, anyway, and the most of the time in Boston. I wrote you I think, about
my studio. We have just finished shingling the roof today. We work 12 hours a
day and, in a couple of days more it will be all done…and painted inside. It
makes a jolly little room 20 x 15 with great light. I shall carry my desk down there
– stow away all my books and papers and be able to write at my ease there. It is
only a temporary affair but a desirable one so I can lock all my things up when I
go away and give the keys to Father to keep the children out.
[Space added to facilitate reading.]
Last Sunday I
spent with the Adams in Quincy, or rather we spent it down the harbour in his
yacht and I passed the most peaceful 41 hours I have since I landed. Great
house, plenty of servants, a good literary atmosphere, good dinners, good wines,
[page 3] and good cheer. Mr. A, who has been a good friend of mine says of
course I must return in the fall.
[Spaced added to facilitate reading.]
I have, of course, very many invitations. I refuse,
all I can. Since I have been in this town I have only been across the street once.
Stick in my own dooryard all the time. I don’t care, a d--- what my friends think.
There is a first rate club in Boston, composed of Bohemians, where I can plunge
into all the magazines and newspapers. Five rooms, the best I ever saw. There in
Lippincotts [magazine] I read your “Sawdust Fairy” and Donny’s “Saint Bernard.”[1] In the
Overland [Monthly] is published her Provincial Rhapsody. I also have seen in the Overland
a poem of yours about Venice.[2] Joaquin [Miller, known as a writer about the American west] has changed his spots at least I hear he has gone to Jersey or some other out of the way state. He is in for lectures on
“New Rome & New Romans”, “New Italy”, “Afloat in Venice.[”] The conceited
ass! What does he know about the Italians or afloat in Venice? I’d like to hear
the latter. Shall if I possibly [page 4] can.
[Space added to facilitate reading.]
Newspaper business is awfully dull. Can’t get a thing to do or a cent for anything. It never has been so flat before. I
had a little thing in the “Courier” which I send you. It is sort of funny, I think, even
in dog days. Dog days are scirocos [windy] days and no discount. We have here nothing but
dog days since I arrived and this and the mixed up state of my affairs makes me
write as I do. Hungry! I’d give all I possess if you were here to lie down under
the pines on the river side and gaum [hang out] with me for a season! But let us have
patience and we shall meet again.
[Space added to facilitate reading.]
In the same mail with yours (the last
containing the two letters of introduction for, with many thanks) came one from
Mrs. Adams. A very good letter[.] I am really glad if there is nothing between
Donny [Charlotte Adams] and Will Green -— but I don’t believe Mrs. A. if she wrote you that. She
may say so, but what I saw at St. Elisa in Donny’s face told a different story.
How could she be so foolish. Oh, I have had a letter from that creature. I
returned it unopened and without a word. Mrs. Adams who predicted great
things may now be satisfied that I shall not return with Mrs. Millet. I hope to hear
from Donny soon.
[Space added to facilitate reading.]
But it is late and I’ll stop. Shall write more a week always,
dear old boy and when we meet we’ll have it out. With much love I am always
yours –
Frank
Next: Letter 12: Millet to Stoddard: October 19, 1875
Notes
- ↑ "Doonny" was a nickname for Charlotte Adams. See: C. W. Stoddard, "A Sawdust Fairy", and Charlotte Adams, "The Hospice of the Great St. Bernard", Lippincott's Magazine, September 1875. Charlotte Adams does not seem to be related to Charles F. Adams, Jr. and her identity has not been established.
- ↑ Charles Warren Stoddard, "The Message" [poem], page 496.
