Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Jane Welsh Carlyle, Jan 28, 1862
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[227] Rome Jany 28th 1862
How shall I tell you, dear, that I have been sad to death over your illness, that I have wanted to write to you, but could not, for many reasons? What comfort can I bring you who have no power Even at this distance to bring you healing of any kind? Tell me — can I serve[?] you? Mrs Dilberoghue says you have been ill — too ill to send me a note & I have been longing for some word — are you better? I had hoped the winter would be friendly to you. & that you would heal[?], but you must have begun Early. & I have the sorrow to love you & not be able to keep you! Can you not write a little pencil note. just a word & Enclose it to my brother — who will send it
[227 reverse] to me in one of his letters — a word under your own hand will bless me! For myself — after coming to Rome, I was, for a time very very poorly with cold & cough. towards the end of the year I had relief from that. but have suffered with neuralgia & rheumatism since. I am now mending from both. Miss Stebbins has been ill for a month, enough to make me anxious & troubled[?] she is now mending & my cares seem lifting. if I could know you were better & not suffering I should be happier. I sent a +++ parcel to you for New Years [sic] day by a package which was sent off hurriedly — too hurriedly to admit of my sending a word of loving greeting[?] — but I fully intended sending a note immediately after — day after day I was prevented, until it was too late. & now this[?] question comes merely to ask if you had a little Roman scarf on New Years [sic] days — just
[228] to remind you that the Eternal city +++ one, who thought of, & wished to be remembered by you. I heard of Emily Ashrush[?] through the Munroes who found her very happy in her new association Poor soul. I pray that it may continue for the way has been hard enough. & I see that Madame Mans[?] has been +++ in England upon the Italian question. When will women learn how little they can do. in such ways? The Italian cause. moves as the master in Paris wills[?]. Rome — is I fear — many years from being the capital of a United Italy. The democratic element is in the ascendant through all the world — just at the moment. but in Europe — this democracy is content to be constitutional How very near we seemed to blows. at one time. but it is postponed. It may be a long day. but it will come surely. I find my people stirred to their souls. at the evident sympathy with our rebels. which exists [sic] among you. We are slowly but surely carrying one way. & if England will let us alone. we shall arrive at the goal sooner & the world be spared much bloodshed. but I despair sometimes — & think that England
[228 reverse] wont [sic] let us alone & that she is thankful to have found a chance to occupy all this immense +++ & navy she has been so long collecting & will make excuses for interfering when we do come to blows — I shall choose my English for fighting with. & you shall be first. I Could be content to be whipped by you & kiss your hands. Oh how long before I shall see you not until the end of June I fear — as Miss Stebbins [sic] work may detain her until then but I shall hurry, do, do send me a little word — if only in pencil [illegible, crossed out] to Mr Cushman Law Fire Insurance office. Chaucery Lane. & he will forward it to me. God ever bless you — dear. & make you well. prays Ever. Your faithfully loving
Charlotte Cushman
