Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, May 11, 1858
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, May 11, 1858
Subject
Cushman, Emma Crow, 1839-1920
Fame
England
Frustration
Reputation
Relationships-- Intimate--Same-sex
Relationships--Networks
Social Events--Travels
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
United States--Boston
United States--Philadelphia
Actors and Actresses
Description
Charlotte Cushman reassures Emma Crow of her love. Cushman calls Emma her "little love" and "bird." Charlotte asks for Emma's permission to keep her letters, which Charlotte calls "heart records," but she would also destroy them if Emma wants her to.
Credit
Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.Creator
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
Source
LoC, CCP 15
Date
1858-05-11
Type
Reference
Letter Item Type Metadata
Text
[p. 1] Ah, my darling, how sorry I am to be kept from you– but it has been inevitableto be! I have never in my life been so entirely occupied as during the last fortnight or three weeks. Since I came to Baltimore I have been suffering from the worst of social excitements very much & my correspondence has suffered also. Staying with friends. I feel as though to all the leisure I can command should be theirs. This, when I am not acting, so easily compatible with duties to my correspondents. But when I am acting & have rehearsals every day & performances every night & late suppers after the play & visitors – I find my time so taken from my friends that I am obliged to neglect those at a distance. But they are not out of my mind – because I
[p. 2] do not get the opportunity of writing to them. I think of my darling sweet "little love" with all the true desires and true affection I have ever know [sic] for her & my heart aches when I cannot come to my communion with her – But I have many[?] heart aches – & must take this among[?] the rest[?]. By & by when I get to England I hope to have more time& then my darling we shall hear from me oftener & more worthily. When I find I have only few minutes to devote to writing to her. I feel that it is uncouthly[?]of her love for me & almost +++ +++ to send the letter – but then I reflect "half a loaf of bread is better than no bread! – & So comfort myself that you will be content if you know I am in the land of the living & loving you just as dearly though I am not able to write you long letters – as when in my western[?] &
[p. 3] southern[?] wanderings – alone – I had time[?]to write you nice long letters. I don’t believe though, that they contained one alone more love than comes to you in these tiny sheets. – Darling mine, my mother & sisters arrived last night[?] from England & Miss Stebbins is with me so that I have lots of company besides my professional duties – I am very nearly crazed for I am not very well. I do want to know what my “bird” is doing. So long since I heard from you: Darling, you must not cease to write to me – though I am compelled from circumstances to +++ +++ mindful of your love & affection. Write to me dear & tell me of your love for me. If your wish +++ your letters shall be destroyed ut they are very safe if you will permit me to keep them until you cease to care so much for me. No one shall see them perhaps I had better keep them until[?]
[p. 4] I see you – when will that be? –and then if you must +++ having them you shall. I cannot bear to destroy "heart records". How are you getting on with your sisters? Are you getting East any sooner? There is a possibility that I may be in Phila [Philadelphia] from the 24" May to the 5" June & ten I go to Boston I believe – but I am a little uncertain of everything +++ the week[?] of the 24’’ May when you must direct to me to the+++ +++ +++ Phila [Philadelphia]. I am here forthis week – next week at the +++Richmond +++ 22nd I shall be in Balto [Baltimore] May I hope for a letter there (care of Rice, Chase & Co) in reply to this. I am very anxious about you dear excitable thing – take good care of yourself for you are very dear to the heart of your
fond & loving
C.C.
Kind love to all at home. I want to see you so [doubly underlined] much!
[p. 2] do not get the opportunity of writing to them. I think of my darling sweet "little love" with all the true desires and true affection I have ever know [sic] for her & my heart aches when I cannot come to my communion with her – But I have many[?] heart aches – & must take this among[?] the rest[?]. By & by when I get to England I hope to have more time& then my darling we shall hear from me oftener & more worthily. When I find I have only few minutes to devote to writing to her. I feel that it is uncouthly[?]of her love for me & almost +++ +++ to send the letter – but then I reflect "half a loaf of bread is better than no bread! – & So comfort myself that you will be content if you know I am in the land of the living & loving you just as dearly though I am not able to write you long letters – as when in my western[?] &
[p. 3] southern[?] wanderings – alone – I had time[?]to write you nice long letters. I don’t believe though, that they contained one alone more love than comes to you in these tiny sheets. – Darling mine, my mother & sisters arrived last night[?] from England & Miss Stebbins is with me so that I have lots of company besides my professional duties – I am very nearly crazed for I am not very well. I do want to know what my “bird” is doing. So long since I heard from you: Darling, you must not cease to write to me – though I am compelled from circumstances to +++ +++ mindful of your love & affection. Write to me dear & tell me of your love for me. If your wish +++ your letters shall be destroyed ut they are very safe if you will permit me to keep them until you cease to care so much for me. No one shall see them perhaps I had better keep them until[?]
[p. 4] I see you – when will that be? –and then if you must +++ having them you shall. I cannot bear to destroy "heart records". How are you getting on with your sisters? Are you getting East any sooner? There is a possibility that I may be in Phila [Philadelphia] from the 24" May to the 5" June & ten I go to Boston I believe – but I am a little uncertain of everything +++ the week[?] of the 24’’ May when you must direct to me to the+++ +++ +++ Phila [Philadelphia]. I am here forthis week – next week at the +++Richmond +++ 22nd I shall be in Balto [Baltimore] May I hope for a letter there (care of Rice, Chase & Co) in reply to this. I am very anxious about you dear excitable thing – take good care of yourself for you are very dear to the heart of your
fond & loving
C.C.
Kind love to all at home. I want to see you so [doubly underlined] much!
From
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
To
Cushman, Emma Crow, 1839-1920
Location
Washington
Geocode (Latitude)
38.8948932
Geocode (Longitude)
-77.0365529
Social Bookmarking
Geolocation
Collection
Citation
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876, “Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, May 11, 1858,” Archival Gossip Collection, accessed April 24, 2024, https://archivalgossip.com/collection/items/show/279.