Transcript of Letter from Emma Stebbins to Sidney Lanier, April 13, 1877

Emma Stebbins apologizes for delay in responding to Lanier but she has not been feeling well nor has she been able to work on the biography of Cushman. She is still grieving the death of her "beloved friend." She mentions Lanier's contribution to the biography but predicts that the whole process of writing will take another couple of months.

Transcripts by Jennie Lorenz

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[page 1] My Dear Lanier 
a much longer time than I +++ has  +++ since the reception I of your lettr [sic], but you will pardon  it, when I tell you that I have been much more unwell,  and forbidden to indulge in more brain exercise than I could help. The harsh cruel spring weathr [sic] – has given in much the same sort of  setback, that it did last year, the consequences of which were so disastrous for our enterprise Much the same result obtains now. I have been for more than a month unable to do even the little, I bad been doing in the way of systematizing and  arranging materials, and recalling memories, and I am not yet in a conditions to return to my work – for the last six weeks I have been under Watr [sic] treatment - from which I  have just emerged - not I fear greatly benefitted by it. It seems hard and slow work to pull me up from the depths into which I/ descended after my Beloved friend and I almost believe now it is not to to done at all I shall by this summer again what change of air will do and if this fails – why - the will of God be done! You will see by this – that there is no hurry about your contribution to the work – I do not see any immediate  prospect of tho completion, or even of the prosecution of it, and indeed I doubt whether you are any bettr [sic] able than I am - to tap your brain You can well understand how this inability tries me for I have this mattr [sic] as much at heart, but I am literally  helpless – just is I was last summer, +++ dear friend I am anxions to know something about you – how you are getting on - and how Mrs. Lanier is – Where you are and

[page 2] all about you. Let me hear from you – +++ do not tax youself to into much – I will keep you informed of my progress, and the moment I see any prospect of getting on with the work I will apprize you – meantime this is nothing for it – but patient submission to higher powers — With kindest greetings to Mrs Lanier 
I am ever yours faithfully 
E.S.