Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Feb 25, [1858]
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Feb 25, [1858]
Subject
Relationships-- Intimate--Same-sex
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
Cushman, Emma Crow, 1839-1920
Hosmer, Harriet Goodhue, 1830-1908
Social Events--Misc.
Description
Charlotte writes to Emma Crow about her feelings for her. Apparently, Emma is very fond of Charlotte and Charlotte fears that she cannot meet Emma's expectations. Charlotte also hints at her troubled relationship with Mrs Kemble and mentions 'little Hattie.'
Presumably, the letter is sent from St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, LA. Charlotte mentions the beautiful flowers in New Orleans and the prior letter that she sent to Emma, dated Feb 22, was sent from that very same hotel.
Presumably, the letter is sent from St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, LA. Charlotte mentions the beautiful flowers in New Orleans and the prior letter that she sent to Emma, dated Feb 22, was sent from that very same hotel.
Credit
Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Creator
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
Source
LoC, CCP 1:55
Date
1858-02-25
Type
Reference
Letter Item Type Metadata
Text
Thursday Morning
[55] I did not send my letter of Monday & Tuesday hoping that the Wednesday post might bring me a line from you. [some words crossed out] I could not send it off until I could acknowledge a word from my "little love". and it came! +++ +++ so sweetly so kindly – so full of love & tenderness. ah. my pet you must not nurse an ideal of me before which my real self will prove poor & valueless. you must see me as I really am. full of imperfection full of poverties[?] & +++! Dont overestimate my little good through the virtue & richness of your own large sweet nature. but believe me a poor mortal as I am! Thank you, though, darling for all the pretty things you say to me they fall upon my heart very gratefully, & +++ +++ +++ taken me back to my own younger days. I will come [all three words underlined] to you. dear. Early in April. Not to stop long I fear. but just enough to talk to you as I must seriously of myself – of my many obligations in affection. to show you where I am [last three words underlined]. & what you have to expect with one who has so many claims upon her. Bless your "love mine" for all your loving care & words I must talk to you, too, about myself and Mrs Kemble. We have had some passages in our lives full of trouble & +++ & mortification to me. and Mrs Kemble does not love me more from misunderstanding, than any worry
[reverse] +++ me. so you must not be surprised if you find her silent with regard to me. I am glad to hear of your going to parties, and wearing pretty dresses & having sweet +++ I wish I could send you some of the +++ bouquets which fill my window. The flowers in New Orleans are so lovely. I am glad to hear of you looking "nice" & should dearly love to see you dressed for your young conquest[?] I would send you on your way with a loving kiss. which should be as a guard to you all the night. I am glad your father has come home well, & brings you so good accounts of the +++ I am afraid it will +++ ++ +++ to be +++ before I am with you. however I will hope: What a funny thing that the children should find my photograph little Hattie - but then must +++ something like perhaps it is more in +++ & bearing. My letters bring good accounts of Hattie she is getting to love my house so much that she hardly gets time for anythings else. but her studies & practising for the hunt[?]. which it seems is allowed again! Now God bless you. darling – keep well & happy. dont [sic!] love me too much or think me too good or you will see your God tremble[?] & you will weep over the fragments. oh I hope this letter will not be so long as 8 days, reaching you as was the case with yours. Hold me +++ lovingly yours CC
[55] I did not send my letter of Monday & Tuesday hoping that the Wednesday post might bring me a line from you. [some words crossed out] I could not send it off until I could acknowledge a word from my "little love". and it came! +++ +++ so sweetly so kindly – so full of love & tenderness. ah. my pet you must not nurse an ideal of me before which my real self will prove poor & valueless. you must see me as I really am. full of imperfection full of poverties[?] & +++! Dont overestimate my little good through the virtue & richness of your own large sweet nature. but believe me a poor mortal as I am! Thank you, though, darling for all the pretty things you say to me they fall upon my heart very gratefully, & +++ +++ +++ taken me back to my own younger days. I will come [all three words underlined] to you. dear. Early in April. Not to stop long I fear. but just enough to talk to you as I must seriously of myself – of my many obligations in affection. to show you where I am [last three words underlined]. & what you have to expect with one who has so many claims upon her. Bless your "love mine" for all your loving care & words I must talk to you, too, about myself and Mrs Kemble. We have had some passages in our lives full of trouble & +++ & mortification to me. and Mrs Kemble does not love me more from misunderstanding, than any worry
[reverse] +++ me. so you must not be surprised if you find her silent with regard to me. I am glad to hear of your going to parties, and wearing pretty dresses & having sweet +++ I wish I could send you some of the +++ bouquets which fill my window. The flowers in New Orleans are so lovely. I am glad to hear of you looking "nice" & should dearly love to see you dressed for your young conquest[?] I would send you on your way with a loving kiss. which should be as a guard to you all the night. I am glad your father has come home well, & brings you so good accounts of the +++ I am afraid it will +++ ++ +++ to be +++ before I am with you. however I will hope: What a funny thing that the children should find my photograph little Hattie - but then must +++ something like perhaps it is more in +++ & bearing. My letters bring good accounts of Hattie she is getting to love my house so much that she hardly gets time for anythings else. but her studies & practising for the hunt[?]. which it seems is allowed again! Now God bless you. darling – keep well & happy. dont [sic!] love me too much or think me too good or you will see your God tremble[?] & you will weep over the fragments. oh I hope this letter will not be so long as 8 days, reaching you as was the case with yours. Hold me +++ lovingly yours CC
From
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
To
Cushman, Emma Crow, 1839-1920
Location
St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, LA
Geocode (Latitude)
29.992544
Geocode (Longitude)
-90.107379
Annotations
archivist added [1858]
Social Bookmarking
Geolocation
Collection
Citation
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876, “Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, Feb 25, [1858],” Archival Gossip Collection, accessed April 23, 2024, https://archivalgossip.com/collection/items/show/80.