"Memories of Three Great Women," New-York Tribune, Jul 21, 1890
Dublin Core
Title
"Memories of Three Great Women," New-York Tribune, Jul 21, 1890
Subject
Hosmer, Harriet Goodhue, 1830-1908
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
Stebbins, Emma, 1815-1882
Relationships-- Intimate--Same-sex
Gender Norms
Gossip--Published
Italy--Rome
Social Events--Salons and Receptions
Social Events--Travels
Artists--US American
Description
The article shares some memories of the private and artistic lives of Charlotte Cushman, Emma Stebbins, and Harriet Hosmer. Emma Stebbins is mentioned as Charlotte's "friend" and "sharer in [...] artistic aims and pleasures" who "shared an 'apartment' in Rome" with Cushman. The article mentions the social gatherings in Rome at their place, which were so characteristic of Rome's society.
Publisher
New York Tribune
Date
1890-07-21
Type
Reference
Article Item Type Metadata
Text
MEMORIES OF THREE GREAT WOMEN.
LENOY LIFE OF HARRIET HOSMER, CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN AND EMMA STEBBINS.
Lenox, Mass., July 10 (Special). – From time to time Lenox has been the inspiring home of artists.
Harriet Hosmer, the daughter of a physician in Watertown, Mass., educated by her father to delight in all out-of-door employments, was for many years a pupil at Mrs. Sedgwick's school. Her genial nature and pleasant greeting on the street made her a universal favorite. Here soon appeared that talent that has made her famous. At an evening entertainment given in Mrs. Sedgwick's house by her scholars Harriet Hosmer, dressed in antique guise, read Miss Edgeworth's article on "Bores." Knee-buckles, a long silk coat with deep lace ruffles at the wrist, and a well-powered wig metamorphosed the young girl intto a veritable "Dr. Primrose." Just such honor perhaps the well-known authoreas had never before received, for Miss Hosmer had illustrated the reading by busts and other figures modelled in clay by her own hands. Her Lenox life was characteristic, and her exploits numberless. A day's drive to Monument Mountain was always in order for the summer session. Upon one of these excursions our heroine was seized with the mild ambition of climbing the east side – a mass of bowlders and see precipices. Accompanied by two young gentlemen of the party, her willing companions, the attempt was made. "With toilsome step and slow" they reached a point within twenty feet of the summit – a pitiless expanse of smooth rock giving neither twig nor crevice for rest of foot or clasp of hand. Only a rope-'lift' could bring the climber to her firends, eagerly watching the athletes, and for this her valiant knights were eager and ready. But the fiat of refusal went forth, softened by Mrs. Sedgwick's comforting assurance that "Hatty could climb better than any girl, but not so well as a boy."
One winter nigt, when sleep had locked the whole household in its embrace, and a brilliant moon illumined the lanscape, Miss Hosmer with two or three of her companions, sought the "Court-House Hill" famous for its coasting facilities. The +++ was well-worn and a storm has made the snow everywhere as smooth as polished glass. In an old sleigh, the +++ fastened perpendicularly to the body, the girls started upon their +++ decsent, the speed increasing every instant. Before the foot of the hill was reached some slight obstacle +++ aside the vehicle and overthrew it, the ley road-side receiving an indiscriminate mass of blankets, robes and bruised girls, who crept painfully back and silently returned to their rooms to repair, possibly to conceal, their injuries. By the dim and friendly light of an early school breakfast few questions were asked. Lenox preserves an interest in Miss Hosmer and always rejoices in her +++.
Miss Charlotte Cushman became a resident here when, through sunshine and storm, assured success had ripened and she had gained the delight of doing what she desired for her beloved family. She bought a plain little cottage just below Fair Lawn and +++ it up with simplicity, adapting it to her own wants and the pursuits of her firend, Miss Emma Stebbins. Miss Cushman always spoke her "little home" with great affection. There she spent a part of her remaining summers. Her magnificent presence in the one reading she gave at Lenox – almost her last – left and indelible impression upon the audience. When the end came the cottage, with all its belongings, was left as a memento to Miss Emma Stebbins, a sharer in all Miss Cushman's artistic aims and pleasures. Miss Stebbins was herself an artist whose works are well known. The drinking fountain in Lenox is a tribute from an ENglish friend to her lovely spiri and her tender care for animals. She shared an "apartment" in Rome with Miss Cushman, each pursuing her own line of study during the day, their evenings a reunion of that society so dear to artists and so characteristic of the Eternal City.
LENOY LIFE OF HARRIET HOSMER, CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN AND EMMA STEBBINS.
Lenox, Mass., July 10 (Special). – From time to time Lenox has been the inspiring home of artists.
Harriet Hosmer, the daughter of a physician in Watertown, Mass., educated by her father to delight in all out-of-door employments, was for many years a pupil at Mrs. Sedgwick's school. Her genial nature and pleasant greeting on the street made her a universal favorite. Here soon appeared that talent that has made her famous. At an evening entertainment given in Mrs. Sedgwick's house by her scholars Harriet Hosmer, dressed in antique guise, read Miss Edgeworth's article on "Bores." Knee-buckles, a long silk coat with deep lace ruffles at the wrist, and a well-powered wig metamorphosed the young girl intto a veritable "Dr. Primrose." Just such honor perhaps the well-known authoreas had never before received, for Miss Hosmer had illustrated the reading by busts and other figures modelled in clay by her own hands. Her Lenox life was characteristic, and her exploits numberless. A day's drive to Monument Mountain was always in order for the summer session. Upon one of these excursions our heroine was seized with the mild ambition of climbing the east side – a mass of bowlders and see precipices. Accompanied by two young gentlemen of the party, her willing companions, the attempt was made. "With toilsome step and slow" they reached a point within twenty feet of the summit – a pitiless expanse of smooth rock giving neither twig nor crevice for rest of foot or clasp of hand. Only a rope-'lift' could bring the climber to her firends, eagerly watching the athletes, and for this her valiant knights were eager and ready. But the fiat of refusal went forth, softened by Mrs. Sedgwick's comforting assurance that "Hatty could climb better than any girl, but not so well as a boy."
One winter nigt, when sleep had locked the whole household in its embrace, and a brilliant moon illumined the lanscape, Miss Hosmer with two or three of her companions, sought the "Court-House Hill" famous for its coasting facilities. The +++ was well-worn and a storm has made the snow everywhere as smooth as polished glass. In an old sleigh, the +++ fastened perpendicularly to the body, the girls started upon their +++ decsent, the speed increasing every instant. Before the foot of the hill was reached some slight obstacle +++ aside the vehicle and overthrew it, the ley road-side receiving an indiscriminate mass of blankets, robes and bruised girls, who crept painfully back and silently returned to their rooms to repair, possibly to conceal, their injuries. By the dim and friendly light of an early school breakfast few questions were asked. Lenox preserves an interest in Miss Hosmer and always rejoices in her +++.
Miss Charlotte Cushman became a resident here when, through sunshine and storm, assured success had ripened and she had gained the delight of doing what she desired for her beloved family. She bought a plain little cottage just below Fair Lawn and +++ it up with simplicity, adapting it to her own wants and the pursuits of her firend, Miss Emma Stebbins. Miss Cushman always spoke her "little home" with great affection. There she spent a part of her remaining summers. Her magnificent presence in the one reading she gave at Lenox – almost her last – left and indelible impression upon the audience. When the end came the cottage, with all its belongings, was left as a memento to Miss Emma Stebbins, a sharer in all Miss Cushman's artistic aims and pleasures. Miss Stebbins was herself an artist whose works are well known. The drinking fountain in Lenox is a tribute from an ENglish friend to her lovely spiri and her tender care for animals. She shared an "apartment" in Rome with Miss Cushman, each pursuing her own line of study during the day, their evenings a reunion of that society so dear to artists and so characteristic of the Eternal City.
Location
NYC, NY, US
Geocode (Latitude)
40.7127281
Geocode (Longitude)
-74.0060152
Social Bookmarking
Geolocation
Collection
Citation
“"Memories of Three Great Women," New-York Tribune, Jul 21, 1890,” Archival Gossip Collection, accessed April 16, 2024, https://archivalgossip.com/collection/items/show/409.