169 25 22278 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/539de334b84934df1bbd2f6678e30ccb.pdf 7b1bd0348dff38afc0a970083dc631f1 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 14 June 18th 1880 My dear Jervy I am more sorry than I can say not to have a chat with you before I sail. I’ve had a deal of trouble the past week---of a very serious nature, and the day I went to breakfast I was [fitter?] for my bed. That fact led me to do the foolish thing I hoped I would not do; I was so low-down & blue that I "tipped the rosy“ once too often & it upset me---a little. I was so sick from all the troubles that have huddled on my back of late & culminating just as I am about sailing, that I did not leave the house all next day & hoped you would call. <hr /> My wife got the tan-trums, the jim-jams, or the dim-dams & hell’s-bells (what you will) into her head the night before breakfast, & went to her Ma, at the Gilsey where she has been ever since. She concludes to remain with her parents for several months perhaps ‘till my return from Europe; but at the last moment she may change her course again. Now if you would only share my state-room, and let Julia Vaux share Edwina’s---how happy we two (and perhaps we four) would be! <hr /> Just for a few months, or weeks---if you please. The expense would be so insignificant compared with its pleasure & comfort we wd both get from you that I’d willingly quadruple it. This, of course, must be secret & will depend on the change of mind that may occur in the next few days. But if there is no change in that quarter, & you & Julia could pack up & go on short notice---why, bless you my boy! ‘twould put new life into the lot of us. (Forgive this mutilated sheet.) Think seriously of this--- ‘tis only for a short pleasure trip & keep it within your own circle---specially <hr /> about my domestic disturbance, but that’s idiotic to ask of you---I know you’ll be mum. Wish I could have a chance to open all my innards for you---perhaps you’d think you were not the most miserablestest mortal after all. Now, this proposition of mine is really no more than [illegible] to have us visit you---only it seems so. Edwina has her hands full & we both feel badly, of course. Everything being upset by this disturbance. I scratch in haste that you may have it for Sunday's consideration. Ever yours Booth Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 21 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300411 T1880.06.18-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1880-06-18 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth confesses to Jervis McEntee that he is not feeling well because he was "so low, down & blue that I tipped the rosy once too often & it upset me a little." Now, his wife has "the jim-jams" and has gone to be with her parents. Booth is planning a trip to Europe and wishes that McEntee would share his stateroom and Julia Vaux could share Edwina's. Julia Vaux is the sister of Edwina's fiance. The bottom of the last page has been torn off. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 14 June 18th 1880 My dear Jervy I am more sorry than I can say not to have a chat with you before I sail. I’ve had a deal of trouble the past week---of a very serious nature, and the day I went to breakfast I was [fitter?] for my bed. That fact led me to do the foolish thing I hoped I would not do; I was so low-down & blue that I "tipped the rosy“ once too often & it upset me---a little. I was so sick from all the troubles that have huddled on my back of late & culminating just as I am about sailing, that I did not leave the house all next day & hoped you would call. <hr /> My wife got the tan-trums, the jim-jams, or the dim-dams & hell’s-bells (what you will) into her head the night before breakfast, & went to her Ma, at the Gilsey where she has been ever since. She concludes to remain with her parents for several months perhaps ‘till my return from Europe; but at the last moment she may change her course again. Now if you would only share my state-room, and let Julia Vaux share Edwina’s---how happy we two (and perhaps we four) would be! <hr /> Just for a few months, or weeks---if you please. The expense would be so insignificant compared with its pleasure & comfort we wd both get from you that I’d willingly quadruple it. This, of course, must be secret & will depend on the change of mind that may occur in the next few days. But if there is no change in that quarter, & you & Julia could pack up & go on short notice---why, bless you my boy! ‘twould put new life into the lot of us. (Forgive this mutilated sheet.) Think seriously of this--- ‘tis only for a short pleasure trip & keep it within your own circle---specially <hr /> about my domestic disturbance, but that’s idiotic to ask of you---I know you’ll be mum. Wish I could have a chance to open all my innards for you---perhaps you’d think you were not the most miserablestest mortal after all. Now, this proposition of mine is really no more than [illegible] to have us visit you---only it seems so. Edwina has her hands full & we both feel badly, of course. Everything being upset by this disturbance. I scratch in haste that you may have it for Sunday's consideration. Ever yours Booth Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/a7a9f3b439d40397495b9c51238f2c11.pdf 6de1443bd5018a8907ca1ef6cd6604af Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 15 Glasgow, July 20th 1880 My dear Jervey I have deferred you 'til' I could locate some where long enough to write more than a mere reminder but it seems as though I am fated to be hurried---to be moved on from place to place without a breathing spell. Yet we are not "doing" Europe---but somehow we have everyday some where to go, which consumes the day, and at night we are fagged out. I want to write you a good long letter and shall do so---as soon as I get settled somewhere, but tonight ( 12.M) I am compelled to scribble <hr /> a breif howdydo & good night, for I must rise at six tomorrow to start for a Clyde tour. We reached here at 4 & Love Love the City. Bret Harte is Consul here---saw him today, for an hour only---as he is gone to London, not to return 'til' I am gone. Had a letter from [Hennessey?] full of gush, &c. I don't "tie to him" "very tightly anymore. "He soured on me," as the Arabs say. Our trip over was like a carol sail , & our tour of Ireland from the extreme [south?] to the northernmost end of the isle was very pleasant, <hr /> marred only by the fogs and rain which thrive there.Today we have had a full feast of sunlight. You know more about Europe than I can possibly tell you, & shall merely state the fact that we are all well & [thriving?] That not a day has passed but I have mentally said "now I must writ Jervy" & as it turned out, you know now I didn't 'till' now. We shall remain here a few days & then go to Edinburgh for several more prior to our English tour. I expect to be in London about the end of August & after a Couple of weeks there to go to catch a glimpse of the Passion <hr /> Play, which I desire to see as a study, not for curiosity. Have not yet written to either Launt or Boughton---indeed have had no chance to write anything that could be called a letter. This scenery so far is behind [America?]--as you doubtless know, but of course, antiquity & association render it very interesting. We have worn our winter clothing ever since we left New York. This is really a note to let you know that you are not forgotten & that I still live. You shall have a letter before many days pass. But don't wait for that---write soon & often Love to all. Ever yours---Booth Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 20 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300412 T1880.07.20-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1880-07-20 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource While traveling through Scotland, Edwin Booth writes Jervis McEntee that even though they are not "doing" Europe, he has no idle time. Booth called on Bret Harte, the U.S. Consul to Scotland, but Harte was in London. Booth hopes to see the Passion Play and describes the scenery and weather. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 15 Glasgow, July 20th 1880 My dear Jervey I have deferred you 'til' I could locate some where long enough to write more than a mere reminder but it seems as though I am fated to be hurried---to be moved on from place to place without a breathing spell. Yet we are not "doing" Europe---but somehow we have everyday some where to go, which consumes the day, and at night we are fagged out. I want to write you a good long letter and shall do so---as soon as I get settled somewhere, but tonight ( 12.M) I am compelled to scribble <hr /> a breif howdydo & good night, for I must rise at six tomorrow to start for a Clyde tour. We reached here at 4 & Love Love the City. Bret Harte is Consul here---saw him today, for an hour only---as he is gone to London, not to return 'til' I am gone. Had a letter from [Hennessey?] full of gush, &c. I don't "tie to him" "very tightly anymore. "He soured on me," as the Arabs say. Our trip over was like a carol sail , & our tour of Ireland from the extreme [south?] to the northernmost end of the isle was very pleasant, <hr /> marred only by the fogs and rain which thrive there.Today we have had a full feast of sunlight. You know more about Europe than I can possibly tell you, & shall merely state the fact that we are all well & [thriving?] That not a day has passed but I have mentally said "now I must writ Jervy" & as it turned out, you know now I didn't 'till' now. We shall remain here a few days & then go to Edinburgh for several more prior to our English tour. I expect to be in London about the end of August & after a Couple of weeks there to go to catch a glimpse of the Passion <hr /> Play, which I desire to see as a study, not for curiosity. Have not yet written to either Launt or Boughton---indeed have had no chance to write anything that could be called a letter. This scenery so far is behind [America?]--as you doubtless know, but of course, antiquity & association render it very interesting. We have worn our winter clothing ever since we left New York. This is really a note to let you know that you are not forgotten & that I still live. You shall have a letter before many days pass. But don't wait for that---write soon & often Love to all. Ever yours---Booth Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/ec05149e6bf9f8c38b7b75de8d609010.pdf 15f9f0c3baef0b95c722423929bd75dd Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 16 Leamington Aug: 13th ‘80 My dear Jervy – I forget just where and when your letter caught me---somewhere near Chester, from which point I intended to write you & did begin a letter, after a breif call at Toft Hall, Knutsford, where the Leycesters dwell. They pressed us so earnestly to renew our visit---since we could not prolong it, that we could not resist their kindness & so---I destroyed the letter I began with the intention of writing a full account of our delightful visit. But we were hurried & tired & so days have elapsed without my putting pen to paper. Here we are near the actors’ Mecca yet am I calm; not the least anxiety do I feel to visit the shrine. Indeed the prosaic, matter-of-fact Present degrades the poetic, venerated Past. To rush by grand old castles, <hr /> venerable Abbeys, ivy-clad & fairly reeking with hallowed memories, in a rail-car, and finding the station “cheek by jowl" with ‘em knocks the stuffin out of one’s romance, and therefore I dread to find the house in Henly Street a mere museum of questionable antiquities and dubious relics. Of course I shall go there---if it kills me! But it will be the farewell to my long cherished dreams, I know. However, I’m used to waking up from pleasant dreams & facing stern realities, and I shall go---with the herd--- to see the show & to say “I’ve been there.” If all the guides were dead & only one or two visitors at a time could enter such sacred precincts, to think one’s fill & not be hurried through in such a show-shop, business-like way, ‘twould be delightful, but as it is---I’d rather see pictures of such places & <hr /> dream my little absurd dreams uninterrupted by the constant dropping of H’s---and shillings. Well, the Leycesters were sincerely pleased & overwhelmed us with kindly hospitality. Asked first of you, then of Church & wished you were both with us. So did I---so far as you were concerned, not knowing Church so well. We took rail to their little town of Knutsford, then a cab & caught ‘em at lunch. She is in mourning for her dead mother, but she pressed so hard that we had to promise a return (lack of shirts & [sick?] prevented our remaining that day) On Saturday night we went again & stayed ‘till Sunday evening. During the day (Sunday) Leycester, a Sir Hurbert, or Herbert Maxwell, M.P. & myself walked 4 (it seemed 40) miles over fields & fences, at a rapid rate, to a place called Tably---the queerest, quaintest, most delicious old [ruined?] Baronial Hall I ever imagined! To attempt descrip <hr /> tion of it would weaken the effect of any gush, therefore accept it as I have given it---a dear old, superb old, rotten old gem of a ruin! “My lord & my lady” Tably were at church near the Hall & when they came forth, followed by the slender congregation of country folks & tenants, I was introduced & the old gent (lord, I should say) took us through the Hall & explained many things about it. He is like a good old lazy farmer & lives close by, in a grand new mansion. He conducted me through & showed me some charming pictures. Several by Lawrence of his mother & other ladies & one (the only decent one I’ve seen) by Turner. One of his (Lord T.’s) god-father, Geo 4th, when P. of Wales, the only gift he ever received from his grace & for which he “my lord,” had to pay! After this we tead with lady T. on the lawn in front of the house. She was jolly & very gracious. <hr /> Mary & Edwina missed all this---the walk was too long, it used me up. Altogether we had a delicious time & regretted our departure as much as, I am sure, the Leycesters did. I found Cheshire/whose history I read while tothers went to church) full of Booths & to my surprise found the Booth arms carved in a panel in Leycester’s library. A Jane Leycester, sometime B.C., married a Booth. I threatened to dispute his title to Toft & bade him look up his title-deeds betimes. His lord Tably is Leycester’s cousin. If I can find the “missing-link” I shall put in my claim for all their estates. It turns up that my contemplated continental loaf for a year is frustrated. I have agreed to open the new Princess’s theatre in London sometime late in Octr., or in early November, whenever it is finished. <hr /> A success there will be a very serious thing, quite as much so as a failure would be. It may mean several years of Europe! There was but one chance that I could see---for at least another year, I mean beyond the year I set, and I dared not let the opportunity thus forced upon me, slip! I seized it & shall endeavor to make the best of it. After a few days here & a week or two more of travel I shall be in London for a rest before going to Ammergau, which place I yet hope to visit in time to see the “Play”. Then for serious work. The final turning-point in my twisted life, at least so far as my public career is concerned. If I miss it I shall bid farewell to my American friends & retire to <hr /> roost & rust. Whatever comes I have a heart for any fate! So soon as I get to London I shall endeavor to see Boughton & be assured, Jervy, I shall handle you discreetly---“afar off, as it were”. I had a gushing letter from [Hennessey?] some two weeks ago; have not yet answered it---don’t know if I shall do so. Do not love him as of yore; think he is too good; too sweet to last long. However, I’m inclined to deal kindly by all---if they’ll only let me do so. Poor old neglected Launt! I must write to him---although he dropped me long ago. You must be lonely indeed, Jervy, with your sister so far off & none but bad memories for your associates. I wish I could drop in & blow you up a bit. Dern [love?]! Wake up & gird your "lines" & flee. Never---away! <hr /> I have written thus far without referring to your letter, having looked it over I must tell you how glad I am that have determined to visit. Do so “everytime”---always whenever an opportunity offers, and in your case opportunities may be daily. All who know you love & respect you, & all are glad to have you at their houses, & you know hosts of the best people. I shall do as you advise---cultivate Smalley & others of that ilk, many of whom I shall doubtless find at Boughton’s too. I hardly think I shall feel like writing all I feel until I am settled “for good” somewhere---in London, I suppose, but occassionally I will [chuck?] for a chunk by way of appetizer for something better in the future. God bless you “JARVIS”. Write to me often. With our love to you & [James?]. Always a greeting of Edwin loving thoughts for Johnson & Gifford, Stedman and [Weis?]. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 8 p 21 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300413 T1880.08.13-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1880-08-13 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth writes Jervis McEntee about his travels in England and visit with the Lycesters. He talks about having tea on the lawn and seeing a picture of a Booth who lived before the birth of Chirst. He writes more about his travels and an upcoming meeting. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 16 Leamington Aug: 13th ‘80 My dear Jervy – I forget just where and when your letter caught me---somewhere near Chester, from which point I intended to write you & did begin a letter, after a breif call at Toft Hall, Knutsford, where the Leycesters dwell. They pressed us so earnestly to renew our visit---since we could not prolong it, that we could not resist their kindness & so---I destroyed the letter I began with the intention of writing a full account of our delightful visit. But we were hurried & tired & so days have elapsed without my putting pen to paper. Here we are near the actors’ Mecca yet am I calm; not the least anxiety do I feel to visit the shrine. Indeed the prosaic, matter-of-fact Present degrades the poetic, venerated Past. To rush by grand old castles, <hr /> venerable Abbeys, ivy-clad & fairly reeking with hallowed memories, in a rail-car, and finding the station “cheek by jowl" with ‘em knocks the stuffin out of one’s romance, and therefore I dread to find the house in Henly Street a mere museum of questionable antiquities and dubious relics. Of course I shall go there---if it kills me! But it will be the farewell to my long cherished dreams, I know. However, I’m used to waking up from pleasant dreams & facing stern realities, and I shall go---with the herd--- to see the show & to say “I’ve been there.” If all the guides were dead & only one or two visitors at a time could enter such sacred precincts, to think one’s fill & not be hurried through in such a show-shop, business-like way, ‘twould be delightful, but as it is---I’d rather see pictures of such places & <hr /> dream my little absurd dreams uninterrupted by the constant dropping of H’s---and shillings. Well, the Leycesters were sincerely pleased & overwhelmed us with kindly hospitality. Asked first of you, then of Church & wished you were both with us. So did I---so far as you were concerned, not knowing Church so well. We took rail to their little town of Knutsford, then a cab & caught ‘em at lunch. She is in mourning for her dead mother, but she pressed so hard that we had to promise a return (lack of shirts & [sick?] prevented our remaining that day) On Saturday night we went again & stayed ‘till Sunday evening. During the day (Sunday) Leycester, a Sir Hurbert, or Herbert Maxwell, M.P. & myself walked 4 (it seemed 40) miles over fields & fences, at a rapid rate, to a place called Tably---the queerest, quaintest, most delicious old [ruined?] Baronial Hall I ever imagined! To attempt descrip <hr /> tion of it would weaken the effect of any gush, therefore accept it as I have given it---a dear old, superb old, rotten old gem of a ruin! “My lord & my lady” Tably were at church near the Hall & when they came forth, followed by the slender congregation of country folks & tenants, I was introduced & the old gent (lord, I should say) took us through the Hall & explained many things about it. He is like a good old lazy farmer & lives close by, in a grand new mansion. He conducted me through & showed me some charming pictures. Several by Lawrence of his mother & other ladies & one (the only decent one I’ve seen) by Turner. One of his (Lord T.’s) god-father, Geo 4th, when P. of Wales, the only gift he ever received from his grace & for which he “my lord,” had to pay! After this we tead with lady T. on the lawn in front of the house. She was jolly & very gracious. <hr /> Mary & Edwina missed all this---the walk was too long, it used me up. Altogether we had a delicious time & regretted our departure as much as, I am sure, the Leycesters did. I found Cheshire/whose history I read while tothers went to church) full of Booths & to my surprise found the Booth arms carved in a panel in Leycester’s library. A Jane Leycester, sometime B.C., married a Booth. I threatened to dispute his title to Toft & bade him look up his title-deeds betimes. His lord Tably is Leycester’s cousin. If I can find the “missing-link” I shall put in my claim for all their estates. It turns up that my contemplated continental loaf for a year is frustrated. I have agreed to open the new Princess’s theatre in London sometime late in Octr., or in early November, whenever it is finished. <hr /> A success there will be a very serious thing, quite as much so as a failure would be. It may mean several years of Europe! There was but one chance that I could see---for at least another year, I mean beyond the year I set, and I dared not let the opportunity thus forced upon me, slip! I seized it & shall endeavor to make the best of it. After a few days here & a week or two more of travel I shall be in London for a rest before going to Ammergau, which place I yet hope to visit in time to see the “Play”. Then for serious work. The final turning-point in my twisted life, at least so far as my public career is concerned. If I miss it I shall bid farewell to my American friends & retire to <hr /> roost & rust. Whatever comes I have a heart for any fate! So soon as I get to London I shall endeavor to see Boughton & be assured, Jervy, I shall handle you discreetly---“afar off, as it were”. I had a gushing letter from [Hennessey?] some two weeks ago; have not yet answered it---don’t know if I shall do so. Do not love him as of yore; think he is too good; too sweet to last long. However, I’m inclined to deal kindly by all---if they’ll only let me do so. Poor old neglected Launt! I must write to him---although he dropped me long ago. You must be lonely indeed, Jervy, with your sister so far off & none but bad memories for your associates. I wish I could drop in & blow you up a bit. Dern [love?]! Wake up & gird your "lines" & flee. Never---away! <hr /> I have written thus far without referring to your letter, having looked it over I must tell you how glad I am that have determined to visit. Do so “everytime”---always whenever an opportunity offers, and in your case opportunities may be daily. All who know you love & respect you, & all are glad to have you at their houses, & you know hosts of the best people. I shall do as you advise---cultivate Smalley & others of that ilk, many of whom I shall doubtless find at Boughton’s too. I hardly think I shall feel like writing all I feel until I am settled “for good” somewhere---in London, I suppose, but occassionally I will [chuck?] for a chunk by way of appetizer for something better in the future. God bless you “JARVIS”. Write to me often. With our love to you & [James?]. Always a greeting of Edwin loving thoughts for Johnson & Gifford, Stedman and [Weis?]. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/b4d0f915b686d770d7615c0aeb14e27f.pdf f9c53233272e726310b447b58c33cfae Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 17 Hotel Continental 3 Rue Castiglione Paris 13th Sept 1880 My dear Jervy At Strasburg---three days ago---I read the news of poor, dear Gifford's death, and on my arrival here I found your letter announcing the same sad tidings. Your entire letter is very beautiful! I can fully appreciate you feelings, Jervy, after so long a loving intimacy with one so really lovable as Gifford. Great my misfortune not to have known him closer ---although my acquaintance with him covered many years, but as little as I did enjoy this acquaintanceship it was precious to me. He impressed all with the fact that he was a good man. Mary will write to Mrs Gifford---for <hr /> whom all our warmest sympathies are quickened, and to whom we three send our loving remembrances. We shall doubly value now the beautiful sketch he made for our album just before we left home. We have had rather a rough time since we left London. A hurried trip through Germany to see the Passion Play---encountering all sorts of disagreeables---to arrive here all-of-a dust with our best duds not yet arrived from London [where?] they were sent, per petite vitesse two weeks ago. In Germany---where "everyone speaks English or French"---we had great difficulty in being understood. We found hardly one in either town that could speak even decent German. D-n the boors.' But no, they gave us our first good cooking and clean rooms since we left the [steamer?] <hr /> except London---where things were tolerable---so I'll recant I forgive 'em. Did you visit Munich? Grand! The sculptures particularly & many superb paintings---as you are aware. A supposed Praxiteles (sleeping Faun)---the finest piece of marble I ever saw; pictures of it give no adequate idea of its grandeur. Hope you have seen it. The Passion Play---as a whole was one of the most wonderful things imaginable! The ensemble was perfect, but I discovered no individual excellence. See the many characters (some 200---not 500, as the printed descriptions tell) were beautifully and appropriately costumed and drilled in the minutest detail, but to the actor's eye there were many defects <hr /> which disturbed the harmony of the picture. The scourging for instance and driving of the money-changers from the Temple, were two examples of very great weakness which afforded splendid opportunities for powerful dramatic effects. Many such chances were lost throughout the wearisome eight hours performance, but as a whole & considering who the actors are---it was certainly wonderful! All tales regarding the impression of this acting on the spectators---sobbing, weeping &c &c, are wild imagings of some enthused novice. There was no such effect whatever, on the contrary---I'm inclined to suspect that most of the audience were very much fatigued , if not bored. Maier the Christus of whose acting so much is said, has beautiful <hr /> dark brown hair, very long, is tall, straight and dignified; with a very unsympathetic, sing-song voice; is without feeling and totally without a suggestion of beauty---his face being rather repulsive than otherwise. We were swindled out of our rooms and had the dirtiest hole in that most charming little village assigned us. From Thursday till Sunday night we suffered all sorts of disagreeables & were mighty glad to get back to Munich. Some Herald chap got hold of me here & talked [Ammergan?] with me & I daresay my opinions will be printed in that Journal. Tell Stedman & Winter what I think of the affair. I wish you knew the latter better---he is full of sympathy, and I believe it would do him good to mix a little with colors & oil. Try him. We have met many Americans, but sad to say---none that we are very proud to meet. I wrote Lamb before I left London & asked him to drop me a line here, but none has come. When I reach London, Octr 1st, I shall soon <hr /> 3 look up Boughton---but it may be a couple of weeks before I find him. I hope your picture got safely home. I was told that it was well hung, but that it had been better if placed in some other Gallery. I wish you had sent either the "wings of the morning" or come Autumnal leaves. Remember always that in the severest art a touch of "effect" (theatrical, if you will) is necessary. The Frenchman's dying Napoleon knocked Lamb's healthy old Corsican "gallery-west", you know, and I believe that your 'wings of the morning" would have scattered your "clouds" and many cloudy old daubs, out of the Academy. Try again next year---something for the eye, which must be first caught before the buyer's soul (which oft lyeth in the pouch) can be touched. We have been doing the Hippodrome & theatres here. D-n my awkwardness! That's not meant for your clouds: <hr /> 2 Aside from Coquelin who is really great in exquisite [funnisms?,] I saw no better acting at the Theatre Francois than I saw at Porte St Martin. The French was better, perhaps, but not for me---both tongues were Greek, so far as I could appreciate them, but the acting at both houses was quite equal. There's a great deal of "gammon & spinach", [my?] [cover?], about us theatrical artists; at least I-I-I fear so. At all events it looks so to a mean cuss like me, who pays his francs & takes his choice. [Toss?] me up tonight twixt the Porte and the Francois & I verily believe I should come up heads for the former---always excepting Coquelin of course. <hr /> At the "Porte" I saw the same actress ( [Mdm?] Laurent) act the same part nearly 20 years ago, and saw no difference in her acting or appearance. Today I went to Church (St Roch) with Edwina & am awful good in consequence, therefore you will excuse me for not doing as much as usual. Forgive me! Ill do better next time. Tomorrow we shall begin our tour of inspection about the city & expect to occupy some ten days with sight-seeing, of which I am heartily tired. Well, my wits are in the dry-rot now, I've told you all I know & have tried to be as jolly as 'tis' possible for me to be, and so---I'll leave Your lordship. Wife & daughter join me in love to all of you & yours. Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 8 p 20 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300414 T1880.09.19-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1880-09-19 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource In his letter to Jervis McEntee, Edwin Booth reports that he has reached France after traveling through Germany. He had trouble in Germany because no one spoke English, but they offered great cooking and clean rooms. With his "actors' eye" Booth found some defects with the Passion Play. He met many Americans abroad, but none that he was proud to meet. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 17 Hotel Continental 3 Rue Castiglione Paris 13th Sept 1880 My dear Jervy At Strasburg---three days ago---I read the news of poor, dear Gifford's death, and on my arrival here I found your letter announcing the same sad tidings. Your entire letter is very beautiful! I can fully appreciate you feelings, Jervy, after so long a loving intimacy with one so really lovable as Gifford. Great my misfortune not to have known him closer ---although my acquaintance with him covered many years, but as little as I did enjoy this acquaintanceship it was precious to me. He impressed all with the fact that he was a good man. Mary will write to Mrs Gifford---for <hr /> whom all our warmest sympathies are quickened, and to whom we three send our loving remembrances. We shall doubly value now the beautiful sketch he made for our album just before we left home. We have had rather a rough time since we left London. A hurried trip through Germany to see the Passion Play---encountering all sorts of disagreeables---to arrive here all-of-a dust with our best duds not yet arrived from London [where?] they were sent, per petite vitesse two weeks ago. In Germany---where "everyone speaks English or French"---we had great difficulty in being understood. We found hardly one in either town that could speak even decent German. D-n the boors.' But no, they gave us our first good cooking and clean rooms since we left the [steamer?] <hr /> except London---where things were tolerable---so I'll recant I forgive 'em. Did you visit Munich? Grand! The sculptures particularly & many superb paintings---as you are aware. A supposed Praxiteles (sleeping Faun)---the finest piece of marble I ever saw; pictures of it give no adequate idea of its grandeur. Hope you have seen it. The Passion Play---as a whole was one of the most wonderful things imaginable! The ensemble was perfect, but I discovered no individual excellence. See the many characters (some 200---not 500, as the printed descriptions tell) were beautifully and appropriately costumed and drilled in the minutest detail, but to the actor's eye there were many defects <hr /> which disturbed the harmony of the picture. The scourging for instance and driving of the money-changers from the Temple, were two examples of very great weakness which afforded splendid opportunities for powerful dramatic effects. Many such chances were lost throughout the wearisome eight hours performance, but as a whole & considering who the actors are---it was certainly wonderful! All tales regarding the impression of this acting on the spectators---sobbing, weeping &c &c, are wild imagings of some enthused novice. There was no such effect whatever, on the contrary---I'm inclined to suspect that most of the audience were very much fatigued , if not bored. Maier the Christus of whose acting so much is said, has beautiful <hr /> dark brown hair, very long, is tall, straight and dignified; with a very unsympathetic, sing-song voice; is without feeling and totally without a suggestion of beauty---his face being rather repulsive than otherwise. We were swindled out of our rooms and had the dirtiest hole in that most charming little village assigned us. From Thursday till Sunday night we suffered all sorts of disagreeables & were mighty glad to get back to Munich. Some Herald chap got hold of me here & talked [Ammergan?] with me & I daresay my opinions will be printed in that Journal. Tell Stedman & Winter what I think of the affair. I wish you knew the latter better---he is full of sympathy, and I believe it would do him good to mix a little with colors & oil. Try him. We have met many Americans, but sad to say---none that we are very proud to meet. I wrote Lamb before I left London & asked him to drop me a line here, but none has come. When I reach London, Octr 1st, I shall soon <hr /> 3 look up Boughton---but it may be a couple of weeks before I find him. I hope your picture got safely home. I was told that it was well hung, but that it had been better if placed in some other Gallery. I wish you had sent either the "wings of the morning" or come Autumnal leaves. Remember always that in the severest art a touch of "effect" (theatrical, if you will) is necessary. The Frenchman's dying Napoleon knocked Lamb's healthy old Corsican "gallery-west", you know, and I believe that your 'wings of the morning" would have scattered your "clouds" and many cloudy old daubs, out of the Academy. Try again next year---something for the eye, which must be first caught before the buyer's soul (which oft lyeth in the pouch) can be touched. We have been doing the Hippodrome & theatres here. D-n my awkwardness! That's not meant for your clouds: <hr /> 2 Aside from Coquelin who is really great in exquisite [funnisms?,] I saw no better acting at the Theatre Francois than I saw at Porte St Martin. The French was better, perhaps, but not for me---both tongues were Greek, so far as I could appreciate them, but the acting at both houses was quite equal. There's a great deal of "gammon & spinach", [my?] [cover?], about us theatrical artists; at least I-I-I fear so. At all events it looks so to a mean cuss like me, who pays his francs & takes his choice. [Toss?] me up tonight twixt the Porte and the Francois & I verily believe I should come up heads for the former---always excepting Coquelin of course. <hr /> At the "Porte" I saw the same actress ( [Mdm?] Laurent) act the same part nearly 20 years ago, and saw no difference in her acting or appearance. Today I went to Church (St Roch) with Edwina & am awful good in consequence, therefore you will excuse me for not doing as much as usual. Forgive me! Ill do better next time. Tomorrow we shall begin our tour of inspection about the city & expect to occupy some ten days with sight-seeing, of which I am heartily tired. Well, my wits are in the dry-rot now, I've told you all I know & have tried to be as jolly as 'tis' possible for me to be, and so---I'll leave Your lordship. Wife & daughter join me in love to all of you & yours. Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/7ae839b253f4f022d5bef005dd577eae.pdf 485ded0f11707c76920a85b3912efdcc Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 21 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300415 T1880.11.10-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1880-11-10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth recounts to Jervis McEntee all of the problems going on with the play in England and says that the British mind is dead "to anything above burlesque " Booth conveys that his health is not good; Mary is weak and has lost her singing voice but that Edwina is well. Booth talks about upcoming roles. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20000 Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Start Transcribing https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/6cde700cd7b62d9097fabf53b04609a1.pdf fd96e836e1ef4ddb0cb3fc8bf2443052 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 18 Decr 5th 1880 St James’s Hotel Piccadilly. Dear Jervy – ‘Tis impossible to answer letters---yours of Nov 15th (one of my birthdays) is before me, but if I stop to detail it, line by line, I shall not get through half the correspondence that I have to accomplish this evening. [Stedman’s?] poem reached me, in print, before your copy came---but I shall keep your scrap. Poor, dear old Gifford! I lunched with Boughton tother day & he spoke very enthusiastically (I thought) of your portraits. They attract great attention & privately are highly spoken of, but the d-d press people here are an offish set. I have met a few, but not since I began work. I shall try to have the pictures put in <hr /> some Art gallery. The Boughtons (he, wife & sister– in-law) did not like my costume in Hamlet & consequently could see but little merit in the performance. I was too quiet & genteel---didn’t “belch” enough. In Richilieu my dresses are rich & I bellow much, ergo ---my Richilieu is great! The audiences of the glorious metropolis are very like those I have encountered in Milwaukee & Ypsilanti: polished plates. Somehow I have succeeded in [rousing?] them in Richilieu, but I cannot, for the life of me, realize that I am in great London town. ‘Tis likely the play will run ‘till the holidays. I am not hiding myself, Jervy, and I am <hr /> doing all I can to cultivate folks. Why, I even lunched at a Nob's house this very day & my [docter?] is spending the evening at Profr Huxley’s ---isn’t that making friends? I am [illegible] for the Lycesters---I suspected as much when I was at their place; but their retrenchment means, I suppose, [lopping?] off some paltry thousands per year. He came up for my opening night, but has company at present & cannot call again. I doubt if my Hamlet pleased him. I, too, miss our chats, Jervey; already I feel lost & would like to drop in on you occassionally. I seldom see [Clarke?] . Mary & Edwina are kept pretty well “on the go” & Boughton lives such a world away <hr /> that I haven’t time to visit him often. We are to dine with him next Sunday---or the next and with the [Millar’s?] and the Smalleys---et le Lord knows who else. His boozey old Ldship, Paget, called on me during the play last week & “wobbled” out something about ‘is ‘ighness a comin’ to ther play. Ear, hear & here are Yet, in English---remember when you come, the former pronunciation is Yankeeism. I’m writing a lot of twaddle ---can’t help it---am tired & dull and dyspeptic. If I even can I will write you a sensible letter. Maria, to Mary, says [illegible] is going home---from that I presume she will remain in Florence. He is silent. Smalley doesn’t letter me as he did Irving & Bernhardt. Why? Write often & don’t feel disaffected [illegible] my hurried scrawling. Love to you all. Ever yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 21 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300416 T1880.12.05-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1880-12-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth reports to Jervis McEntee that he is busy in London and praises McEntee's portraits. The Boughtons did not like Booth's costume in Hamlet and therefore found little merit in the performance; also, he didn't belch enough. At the end of letter, he mentions [Henry?] Irving and [Sarah] Bernhardt. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 18 Decr 5th 1880 St James’s Hotel Piccadilly. Dear Jervy – ‘Tis impossible to answer letters---yours of Nov 15th (one of my birthdays) is before me, but if I stop to detail it, line by line, I shall not get through half the correspondence that I have to accomplish this evening. [Stedman’s?] poem reached me, in print, before your copy came---but I shall keep your scrap. Poor, dear old Gifford! I lunched with Boughton tother day & he spoke very enthusiastically (I thought) of your portraits. They attract great attention & privately are highly spoken of, but the d-d press people here are an offish set. I have met a few, but not since I began work. I shall try to have the pictures put in <hr /> some Art gallery. The Boughtons (he, wife & sister– in-law) did not like my costume in Hamlet & consequently could see but little merit in the performance. I was too quiet & genteel---didn’t “belch” enough. In Richilieu my dresses are rich & I bellow much, ergo ---my Richilieu is great! The audiences of the glorious metropolis are very like those I have encountered in Milwaukee & Ypsilanti: polished plates. Somehow I have succeeded in [rousing?] them in Richilieu, but I cannot, for the life of me, realize that I am in great London town. ‘Tis likely the play will run ‘till the holidays. I am not hiding myself, Jervy, and I am <hr /> doing all I can to cultivate folks. Why, I even lunched at a Nob's house this very day & my [docter?] is spending the evening at Profr Huxley’s ---isn’t that making friends? I am [illegible] for the Lycesters---I suspected as much when I was at their place; but their retrenchment means, I suppose, [lopping?] off some paltry thousands per year. He came up for my opening night, but has company at present & cannot call again. I doubt if my Hamlet pleased him. I, too, miss our chats, Jervey; already I feel lost & would like to drop in on you occassionally. I seldom see [Clarke?] . Mary & Edwina are kept pretty well “on the go” & Boughton lives such a world away <hr /> that I haven’t time to visit him often. We are to dine with him next Sunday---or the next and with the [Millar’s?] and the Smalleys---et le Lord knows who else. His boozey old Ldship, Paget, called on me during the play last week & “wobbled” out something about ‘is ‘ighness a comin’ to ther play. Ear, hear & here are Yet, in English---remember when you come, the former pronunciation is Yankeeism. I’m writing a lot of twaddle ---can’t help it---am tired & dull and dyspeptic. If I even can I will write you a sensible letter. Maria, to Mary, says [illegible] is going home---from that I presume she will remain in Florence. He is silent. Smalley doesn’t letter me as he did Irving & Bernhardt. Why? Write often & don’t feel disaffected [illegible] my hurried scrawling. Love to you all. Ever yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/45c50bdde5e529a005b19b41fa64fc9b.pdf 4d20c7d6f7a7a8d1d88d1676be36bce1 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 19 Dec. 19th 1880 St James's Hotel, Piccadilly. My dear Jervy- Your letter did me good. It showed just the feeling that I've been often led to fear had died out of you. Keep it burning. As for the Boughtons--- well, I have lunched with and must dine with 'em, therefore must not criticize, but I share your notion regarding him to the full; as for his folks---I can't bet much on their ideas of artistic excellence, or opinions of art matters in any direction. This--- 'twixt ourselves---will sum up the lot: Miss Ward's success last season was so pronounced that they intended to call on her <hr /> but were prevented---fortunately for this season she failed & they don't care to patronize her! So much for so much. I presume my success is beyond doubt for I have lunched and will dine on 'em! Today I dine---for the 2d course---with Smalley, who has let me go gently by in his Tribune letters---yet he has seen me several times. His wife and family are very attentive & he is pleasant, but I don't think he regards my success as safe enough to write much about. Joseph [Hotton?], just from America, has sent a letter to the N.Y.Times---which ought <hr /> to appear tomorrow---if they print it at all. I wish I could have been at the Century to hear you good fellows talk of dear old Gifford. I can't realize that he is gone-or Billy Floyd, one of the last that I shook hands with at parting; he is the twelveth of my acquaintance (several of them dear friends) that have passed behind the veil since I left home. I don't think your remarks regarding your art & your own correct knowledge of yourself seems at all "irritable." They are solid truths & I recognize their applicability to myself in many respects. You assuredly do, and so do I, know best what is our best. My objection to the choice of picture for the Academy was based solely on the steep and subtle meaning---which always fails to reach the sympathies of purchasers & newspaper critics. <hr /> My business at the theatre is about the same as at the start---the pit & gallery are "sparsely settled" the stalls & boxes over-filled. I change the bill to "Fool's Revenge" on Monday. The critics are luke-warm, even quite cold & all of 'em sour. The public is "applausive" and the nobs I've met are enthusiastic & very hospitable. It is strange that [Leyuster?] should have visited the play tother night (Edwina saw him) without even a card to me. Somehow, I fancy that he fell off after his visit during my first week; but I may wrong him---or myself. God Bless you, Jervy, and send you a happy Xmas & many happier New Years that you've had of late. Mary is about the same-Edwina & I are [well?] All our loves to all of your folks. Sorry I can't give you longer letters. Ever thine Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 20 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300417 T1880.12.19-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1880-12-19 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth writes Jervis McEntee that he still socializes with the Boughtons but he questions their taste in artistic excellence, and asks MeEntee to keep that thought "twixt ourselves." Booth speaks of dear old Gifford (artist Sanford Robinson Gifford?), and cannot believe that he is gone. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 19 Dec. 19th 1880 St James's Hotel, Piccadilly. My dear Jervy- Your letter did me good. It showed just the feeling that I've been often led to fear had died out of you. Keep it burning. As for the Boughtons--- well, I have lunched with and must dine with 'em, therefore must not criticize, but I share your notion regarding him to the full; as for his folks---I can't bet much on their ideas of artistic excellence, or opinions of art matters in any direction. This--- 'twixt ourselves---will sum up the lot: Miss Ward's success last season was so pronounced that they intended to call on her <hr /> but were prevented---fortunately for this season she failed & they don't care to patronize her! So much for so much. I presume my success is beyond doubt for I have lunched and will dine on 'em! Today I dine---for the 2d course---with Smalley, who has let me go gently by in his Tribune letters---yet he has seen me several times. His wife and family are very attentive & he is pleasant, but I don't think he regards my success as safe enough to write much about. Joseph [Hotton?], just from America, has sent a letter to the N.Y.Times---which ought <hr /> to appear tomorrow---if they print it at all. I wish I could have been at the Century to hear you good fellows talk of dear old Gifford. I can't realize that he is gone-or Billy Floyd, one of the last that I shook hands with at parting; he is the twelveth of my acquaintance (several of them dear friends) that have passed behind the veil since I left home. I don't think your remarks regarding your art & your own correct knowledge of yourself seems at all "irritable." They are solid truths & I recognize their applicability to myself in many respects. You assuredly do, and so do I, know best what is our best. My objection to the choice of picture for the Academy was based solely on the steep and subtle meaning---which always fails to reach the sympathies of purchasers & newspaper critics. <hr /> My business at the theatre is about the same as at the start---the pit & gallery are "sparsely settled" the stalls & boxes over-filled. I change the bill to "Fool's Revenge" on Monday. The critics are luke-warm, even quite cold & all of 'em sour. The public is "applausive" and the nobs I've met are enthusiastic & very hospitable. It is strange that [Leyuster?] should have visited the play tother night (Edwina saw him) without even a card to me. Somehow, I fancy that he fell off after his visit during my first week; but I may wrong him---or myself. God Bless you, Jervy, and send you a happy Xmas & many happier New Years that you've had of late. Mary is about the same-Edwina & I are [well?] All our loves to all of your folks. Sorry I can't give you longer letters. Ever thine Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/19b6808674f88198a5b59c614efd1e14.pdf 09c97ec8f95a2f715467c44bd3762d4a Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 20 Jan 30th '81 St. James's Hotel, Piccadilly. My dear Jervy- I don't know if I ought to write to you today. I'm in the mood for it, but my time is limited---having to dine out in the course of two hours, and though that should be sufficient for an ordinary letter---yet the knowledge of such a doom hanging over one prevents a concentration of one's thoughts. Your last was read and burned, according to your wishes, though why it should have been destroyed I failed to comprehend. Although as I said, I'm in the mood for writing you---yet I doubt if it is 'wholesome' to let myself out to you at such times, 'twould be far better if I could distract you with jolly gabble and newsy gossip, but pent up as I am within the "wings" & "foot-lights" of the play-house I can tell you nothing that the papers have not already stated. I think I did let <hr /> myself out a little in my last---to which I hope to have an answer soon. Yesterday I had a note from Lycester, who says he will come to town next week. He saw in some paper that a "Land League" was forming at Rondout and wonders "if McEntee---?" I s'pose no & should tell him so. I'm so [jolly?] green in all such matters that really I don't know what this land league business is all about. I only know that Englishmen seem to be in a sort of "[freeze?]" about something or other that's going on in [Erin?] . No, I've not met Conway---strange, too, that I have not. To be frank---I've rather avoided my countrymen here; most of them who travel are so talky, so spread-eagley; I am sure that they have done me no good by their extravagant praises. I feel perfectly sure, however, that I shall (if time to do it be allowed me) overcome the little prejudice that still exists against me. As to my overestimation of my success here---it <hr /> may appear ungrateful---but really it seems to me a sort of kindly tolerance of something they do not quite appreciate. Many, in society, rave idiotically; some solid heads nod approvingly; the critics pat me gently on the back, & the audiences seem quite as well disposed as I could wish---but in spite of the talk---pro & con---& the fact that I've been steadily acting here since the 1st week of November, the audiences are smaller in number that one would think a real success shd attract. Judging from the Boughton's attentions I presume I am all right, but the Smalley makes me doubt. his wife & daughters are sociable & kind, he is courteous but as you see, his letters to the Tribune almost ignore me---or give but a passing notice of my acting here. Some screw's loose there. It is very difficult to keep from repeating what I've already written you for I have so many correspondents <hr /> now that I forget what I've said to each. You must be indulgent this time---for the hours are getting thin & my wits are wobbling. Six weeks more & then for a long loaf of---perhaps---six months, before I try the provinces. It may be I shall not act again in London for a year---owing solely to my own stupidity in being tricked by a rascally manager, [Gooch?] I'm now in the midst of Othello & Iago---which the critics fail to recognize as good, & compare me with some flop-eared [illegible] here, but those who do not write pronounce perfectly satisfactory. One writer, who finds fault in print, says in private I am the greatest actor he ever saw, & several such asides have been made by those who dare not (for some reason) say as much aloud. The severe winter is gone & the warm damp weather is with us again. The former agreed better with Mary than the present atmosphere. In my next I hope to be more sensible & interesting. Our loves to you all. God bless you. Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 20 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300420 T1881.01.30-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1881-01-30 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource In his letter to Jervis McEntee, Edwin Booth goes on for a full page about difficulty getting this letter written. He mentions the Land League, and knows that McEntee is not interested in it. He talks about acting and his career saying that the crowds are smaller than he might have expected. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 20 Jan 30th '81 St. James's Hotel, Piccadilly. My dear Jervy- I don't know if I ought to write to you today. I'm in the mood for it, but my time is limited---having to dine out in the course of two hours, and though that should be sufficient for an ordinary letter---yet the knowledge of such a doom hanging over one prevents a concentration of one's thoughts. Your last was read and burned, according to your wishes, though why it should have been destroyed I failed to comprehend. Although as I said, I'm in the mood for writing you---yet I doubt if it is 'wholesome' to let myself out to you at such times, 'twould be far better if I could distract you with jolly gabble and newsy gossip, but pent up as I am within the "wings" & "foot-lights" of the play-house I can tell you nothing that the papers have not already stated. I think I did let <hr /> myself out a little in my last---to which I hope to have an answer soon. Yesterday I had a note from Lycester, who says he will come to town next week. He saw in some paper that a "Land League" was forming at Rondout and wonders "if McEntee---?" I s'pose no & should tell him so. I'm so [jolly?] green in all such matters that really I don't know what this land league business is all about. I only know that Englishmen seem to be in a sort of "[freeze?]" about something or other that's going on in [Erin?] . No, I've not met Conway---strange, too, that I have not. To be frank---I've rather avoided my countrymen here; most of them who travel are so talky, so spread-eagley; I am sure that they have done me no good by their extravagant praises. I feel perfectly sure, however, that I shall (if time to do it be allowed me) overcome the little prejudice that still exists against me. As to my overestimation of my success here---it <hr /> may appear ungrateful---but really it seems to me a sort of kindly tolerance of something they do not quite appreciate. Many, in society, rave idiotically; some solid heads nod approvingly; the critics pat me gently on the back, & the audiences seem quite as well disposed as I could wish---but in spite of the talk---pro & con---& the fact that I've been steadily acting here since the 1st week of November, the audiences are smaller in number that one would think a real success shd attract. Judging from the Boughton's attentions I presume I am all right, but the Smalley makes me doubt. his wife & daughters are sociable & kind, he is courteous but as you see, his letters to the Tribune almost ignore me---or give but a passing notice of my acting here. Some screw's loose there. It is very difficult to keep from repeating what I've already written you for I have so many correspondents <hr /> now that I forget what I've said to each. You must be indulgent this time---for the hours are getting thin & my wits are wobbling. Six weeks more & then for a long loaf of---perhaps---six months, before I try the provinces. It may be I shall not act again in London for a year---owing solely to my own stupidity in being tricked by a rascally manager, [Gooch?] I'm now in the midst of Othello & Iago---which the critics fail to recognize as good, & compare me with some flop-eared [illegible] here, but those who do not write pronounce perfectly satisfactory. One writer, who finds fault in print, says in private I am the greatest actor he ever saw, & several such asides have been made by those who dare not (for some reason) say as much aloud. The severe winter is gone & the warm damp weather is with us again. The former agreed better with Mary than the present atmosphere. In my next I hope to be more sensible & interesting. Our loves to you all. God bless you. Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/7ffbd67f8f2ce668e7fc577128f1173b.pdf 373d246339baf35a70dc7b7ba24e066e Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 21 (Notation at top left-hand corner of page 1) March 1st '81 St. James's Hotel, Piccadilly. Dear Jervy -- I haven't written many letters lately -- only such as demanded immediate attention: I think I have several of yours unanswered -- certainly two of them. Excefsive fatigue -- an accumulation of bile -- but above all great anxiety are the causes of my inability to write to my friends. Only very lately have I been convinced of the fatal nature of Mary's disease -- although the doctor knew it from the first. 'Twas kept from me to prevent this very anxiety -- because of my engagement, and following the doctors' advice we have to deceive her in order not to hasten the end and to make the little remnant of her life as pleasant as pofsible. Sir Wm. Jenner was called in by our doctor, who is, himself, considered to be the best throat doctor in England, and they both agree that only a few months are left for her. She has so often said that she does not want to know it until a week at most before she dies that we all think it best to keep her ignorant of the fact -- so long as she is able to be about. <hr /> When I say that she eats nothing -- I do not greatly exaggerate her condition, the result is emaciation, of course, extreme weaknefs of body -- which only her indomitable will-power sustains, and a feeblenefs of mind -- which daily grows worse. A lofs of memory & inability to write the simplest note. When you consider how completely she has been the brain and guiding spirit of my family, how entirely dependent both Edwina & I have become on her superior judjement, you can imagine what utter confusion her helplefsnefs occafsions. Having to act heavy parts every night with the constant dread in my mind that she will be doing some outrageous thing, for her conduct & talk has been so queer of late that everybody notices it, & knowing that she is suffering with a cough that is terrible to hear, I have a strain upon me that is very hard to bear. Add to this my lofs of sleep on her account & you can understand my disinclination to write -- or do anything but die. For twelve years (nearly) I have nursed her like a sick baby, but despite the <hr /> care of this, and the evil that has been wrought by her semi-lunatic brain of late years, I feel for her that strong affection that the mother feels for the "black-sheep" of her family -- that love the prisoner has been known to have for his dungeon after years of hard confinement. I think of the moral slavery that both Edwina & I endure -- for the sake of quiet & for pity's sake, and regard death as our liberation, as well as a relief to the poor soul who suffers so; and then again I think of the desolation her absence will cause. If you knew how utterly helplefs both Edwina & I are you'd be amazed! All these years that Mary has controlled my domestic affairs she has not permitted the slightest interference on Edwina's part & my indolent nature has yeilded everything, only too glad to escape trouble. In one of your late letters you exprefs a confidence in Edwina's ability when the occafsion calls for the exercise of her powers that are now supprefsed, it may be you are right; I hope so -- but I greatly fear that she is in every sense her father's child; except her resemblance and her affectionate disposition I can see nothing of the Mother in her. Her mother had just the same executive faculty and much of the energy that Mary has -- that I have not, and which I greive <hr /> restricted. -- We dined with Leyester Sunday and would have had a pleasant time but for the fact that Mary was taken ill & the effects of Morphia which the doctor applied to her throat made her so queer that I was obliged to explain matters to Mrs Leyuster. The doctor has written to McVicker about Mary's condition & it may bring him or his wife over -- I hope not for they are very hateful to me & Mary, herself, has declared that she does not want her folks to know that she is ill -- nor does she wish ever to go back to America. The doctors say London, in spite of its fogs, is the best place for her & she likes the city & the people we have met better than others. -- Millois saw my Lear & was very enthusiastic; he exprefsed great admiration for those clever little pictures of me. Clever means a great deal in English, much more than in American phraseology. Lear has been the greatest succefs of my plays I've yet given & it will doubtlefs run out the rest of my term -- 4 weeks. Always give my love to all of your folks. I must hurry to an end with this -- for I would only be repeating myself should I write longer. God blefs you, old boy. Have not seen [Boylton ?] for a great while. Adieu! Yours ever Booth <hr /> St. James's Hotel, Piccadilly. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 6 p 20 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300423 T1881.03.01-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1881-03-01 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth confesses to Jervis McEntee that he is very dispirited over his wife's illness. Doctors kept this news from him to prevent anxiety during his engagement; now he must keep the news from his wife "in order not to hasten the end" Sir William Jenner has been called in and agrees with Mary's doctor that she has only a short time to live. Mary's mental condition has declined, and it is hard to act heavy parts every night while worrying about her condition. The doctor wrote to Mary's father about her condition, which may bring him or his wife to London; Booth hopes not because "they are very hateful to me" and Mary doesn't want them to know she is ill. Booth received praise for his portrayal of Lear. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 21 (Notation at top left-hand corner of page 1) March 1st '81 St. James's Hotel, Piccadilly. Dear Jervy -- I haven't written many letters lately -- only such as demanded immediate attention: I think I have several of yours unanswered -- certainly two of them. Excefsive fatigue -- an accumulation of bile -- but above all great anxiety are the causes of my inability to write to my friends. Only very lately have I been convinced of the fatal nature of Mary's disease -- although the doctor knew it from the first. 'Twas kept from me to prevent this very anxiety -- because of my engagement, and following the doctors' advice we have to deceive her in order not to hasten the end and to make the little remnant of her life as pleasant as pofsible. Sir Wm. Jenner was called in by our doctor, who is, himself, considered to be the best throat doctor in England, and they both agree that only a few months are left for her. She has so often said that she does not want to know it until a week at most before she dies that we all think it best to keep her ignorant of the fact -- so long as she is able to be about. <hr /> When I say that she eats nothing -- I do not greatly exaggerate her condition, the result is emaciation, of course, extreme weaknefs of body -- which only her indomitable will-power sustains, and a feeblenefs of mind -- which daily grows worse. A lofs of memory & inability to write the simplest note. When you consider how completely she has been the brain and guiding spirit of my family, how entirely dependent both Edwina & I have become on her superior judjement, you can imagine what utter confusion her helplefsnefs occafsions. Having to act heavy parts every night with the constant dread in my mind that she will be doing some outrageous thing, for her conduct & talk has been so queer of late that everybody notices it, & knowing that she is suffering with a cough that is terrible to hear, I have a strain upon me that is very hard to bear. Add to this my lofs of sleep on her account & you can understand my disinclination to write -- or do anything but die. For twelve years (nearly) I have nursed her like a sick baby, but despite the <hr /> care of this, and the evil that has been wrought by her semi-lunatic brain of late years, I feel for her that strong affection that the mother feels for the "black-sheep" of her family -- that love the prisoner has been known to have for his dungeon after years of hard confinement. I think of the moral slavery that both Edwina & I endure -- for the sake of quiet & for pity's sake, and regard death as our liberation, as well as a relief to the poor soul who suffers so; and then again I think of the desolation her absence will cause. If you knew how utterly helplefs both Edwina & I are you'd be amazed! All these years that Mary has controlled my domestic affairs she has not permitted the slightest interference on Edwina's part & my indolent nature has yeilded everything, only too glad to escape trouble. In one of your late letters you exprefs a confidence in Edwina's ability when the occafsion calls for the exercise of her powers that are now supprefsed, it may be you are right; I hope so -- but I greatly fear that she is in every sense her father's child; except her resemblance and her affectionate disposition I can see nothing of the Mother in her. Her mother had just the same executive faculty and much of the energy that Mary has -- that I have not, and which I greive <hr /> restricted. -- We dined with Leyester Sunday and would have had a pleasant time but for the fact that Mary was taken ill & the effects of Morphia which the doctor applied to her throat made her so queer that I was obliged to explain matters to Mrs Leyuster. The doctor has written to McVicker about Mary's condition & it may bring him or his wife over -- I hope not for they are very hateful to me & Mary, herself, has declared that she does not want her folks to know that she is ill -- nor does she wish ever to go back to America. The doctors say London, in spite of its fogs, is the best place for her & she likes the city & the people we have met better than others. -- Millois saw my Lear & was very enthusiastic; he exprefsed great admiration for those clever little pictures of me. Clever means a great deal in English, much more than in American phraseology. Lear has been the greatest succefs of my plays I've yet given & it will doubtlefs run out the rest of my term -- 4 weeks. Always give my love to all of your folks. I must hurry to an end with this -- for I would only be repeating myself should I write longer. God blefs you, old boy. Have not seen [Boylton ?] for a great while. Adieu! Yours ever Booth <hr /> St. James's Hotel, Piccadilly. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/1714a9934612f6cc646acd8bc20b0eba.pdf e239cf39527cf246bd5b5fcf029fde59 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 22 Mar: 20th ‘81 St James’s Hotel Piccadilly Dear Jervy Only a rambling word or two. I have no heart for letter writing. I think I owe you two---but when you know how ill my over-work and great anxiety have made me you’ll look over my neglect. The doctors---three---have no hope for Mary’s recovery & very little for her return to reason, she has been insane an entire week, necessitating two nurses---to guard her day & night. So feeble that for two days past we have looked for her death at <hr />any moment. She is but a mere shadow, can eat but morsels. Thank God! my engagement terminates this week. I hope she will last through it. All advised me, some days, ago to place her in an asylum---but I could not bring my heart to do it, & now I’m glad I did not. Poor Edwina is being sorely tried---her duties now are manifold & I fear will affect her health---indeed she already shows the effects of her two-fold anxiety, on Mary’s and my account. Launt came early yesterday & was with me most of the time. he <hr /> has just left for bed & starts for Liverpool tomorrow to sail on Tuesday for N. Y. You will see him soon, therefore I will not say more of him . I find him changed only in his complexion, which does not indicate good blood. My dyspepsia in its most violent form came on with my worry of mind & for several weeks my tortures have been hell-like, rendering me utterly unfit for anything & interfering very seriously with my acting; I’ve barely had strength to pull through the performances at night. I close with Shylock & Petruchio for six nights <hr /> one of the actor's miseries---to simulate the emotions of another while his own are, wolf-like, tearing at his heart-strings. Every night that I go to the theatre I expect to be summoned to Mary’s death-bed. Poor, poor little girl! I must cease to think of her mistakes & recall only the good she tried to do, but wt a disordered brain frustrated. Your last letter was unusually cheerful & made me happy & hopeful for you. You may not hear soon from me after this; but you know the cause & will not, I hope, fail to write me often. Love to all your people. Ever & always yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 21 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300425 T1881.03.20-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1881-03-20 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth tells Jervis McEntee that Mary McVicker Booth is even sicker, and has been insane for at least a week, which necessitates two nurses. Doctors advise Edwin to place her in an asylum but he doesn't have the heart to do that. Much responsibility has been turned over to Edwina. His dyspepsia is bad and interfers with his acting. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 22 Mar: 20th ‘81 St James’s Hotel Piccadilly Dear Jervy Only a rambling word or two. I have no heart for letter writing. I think I owe you two---but when you know how ill my over-work and great anxiety have made me you’ll look over my neglect. The doctors---three---have no hope for Mary’s recovery & very little for her return to reason, she has been insane an entire week, necessitating two nurses---to guard her day & night. So feeble that for two days past we have looked for her death at <hr />any moment. She is but a mere shadow, can eat but morsels. Thank God! my engagement terminates this week. I hope she will last through it. All advised me, some days, ago to place her in an asylum---but I could not bring my heart to do it, & now I’m glad I did not. Poor Edwina is being sorely tried---her duties now are manifold & I fear will affect her health---indeed she already shows the effects of her two-fold anxiety, on Mary’s and my account. Launt came early yesterday & was with me most of the time. he <hr /> has just left for bed & starts for Liverpool tomorrow to sail on Tuesday for N. Y. You will see him soon, therefore I will not say more of him . I find him changed only in his complexion, which does not indicate good blood. My dyspepsia in its most violent form came on with my worry of mind & for several weeks my tortures have been hell-like, rendering me utterly unfit for anything & interfering very seriously with my acting; I’ve barely had strength to pull through the performances at night. I close with Shylock & Petruchio for six nights <hr /> one of the actor's miseries---to simulate the emotions of another while his own are, wolf-like, tearing at his heart-strings. Every night that I go to the theatre I expect to be summoned to Mary’s death-bed. Poor, poor little girl! I must cease to think of her mistakes & recall only the good she tried to do, but wt a disordered brain frustrated. Your last letter was unusually cheerful & made me happy & hopeful for you. You may not hear soon from me after this; but you know the cause & will not, I hope, fail to write me often. Love to all your people. Ever & always yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/791e01689820025d470669a2c11ca270.pdf b4cb6c0d2a2df0f152a7747ea63284ee Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 23 Weymouth Street, Portland Pl'ce 23 April 24th '81 Dear Jervy - I am positively ashamed of my letters to you lately. You have written me such excellent ones---touching me to the very core, yet have I been unable to do more than acknowledge their receipt by a few hurried lines of thanks and selfish moanings. The truth is, Jervy, my brain seems to be threadbare---I feel full of matter and take up my pen to give it vent when a daze comes over my mind & ideas (what few I may possess) fly off at a tangent and leave me in utter vacuity. For all this, Jervy, do not cease to write me just the same for fear your letters are unappreciated, indeed they are not; I keep them all and value them dearly. Under the strange and distressing con- <hr /> ditions to which I am now subjected you can, I know, fully understand just how helpless I am. What a complication of troubles are upon me! My professional success, so far, & its uncertainty in the future (here, I mean) is alone enough to keep me on tenterhooks. I am over run with invitations & various courtesies that cannot be slighted & wh. are a devilish bore to me at best, and the doubt as to the possibility of riveting my hold upon the English by another engagement (for this with Irving is but a few nights' spurt in characters I've already acted here)---and the uncertainty of Mary's condition; whether she will die soon, as the doctors predicted weeks ago, or live a lunatic, and the anxiety I feel for Edwina---whose complexion & frequent <hr /> ails convince me of her ill health---all these agonies drive me nearly distracted sometimes. Then to think that I have to endure the presence of Mrs. McVicker---a vile-tongued virago & slanderer, and shall soon have her husband too, a man who owes me gratitude and gives me unkindness in its stead,--- by Jupiter! my Jervy, the case is complicated, & twisted like the crown of thorns; intertwined and filled with painful prickles. Dear Edwina is, as you said she would be, brave and perfectly capable. She feels great pride in her responsibility & does all things remarkably well. indeed it seems now, at the end of her third week of actual housekeeping, as though she had been as it always; her mistakes have been so few & trifling that they serve merely as a foil to her successes. She is quite matronly---in manner, if not in appearance. She is doubly anxious, for me as well as for Mary---for whom, <hr /> of course, she retains great affection---despite the evils that have chilled the warmth of her filial love. and I worry a great deal on her account. If I were only free now I could start at once for the Continent & give her the advantage of baths &c at the various spas---but I'm kept in bondage by my engagements in the Provinces & Mary's sickness & so must take the chances. If Edwina breaks down I shall give up for "good & all". Mary's madness is assuming a violent form now. 'till recently she has been very docile. Edwina is at church & Mistress McWicked, my delicious mother-in-law, has just entered with a hell-cat's glare in her pale green eyes, so I'll quit you here, with a God Bless you! You see---not a word of you! all of myself, as usual. I expect [Hennessey?] every minute. Will tell of him in my report. Love to all your folks. Adieu! Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 21 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300428 T1881.04.24-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1881-04-24 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth confides to Jervis McEntee that his life is troubled both professionally and personally. Mary's condition continues to deteriorate, and Edwina continues to accept more household responsibility. Mrs. McVicker is currently visiting and is described as "a vile tongued virago & slanderer" and expects his father-in-law to come soon. Booth worries about Edwina's health. He wishes he could take her to the continent for baths and spas but he is kept in bondage by his engagements and Mary's health. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 23 Weymouth Street, Portland Pl'ce 23 April 24th '81 Dear Jervy - I am positively ashamed of my letters to you lately. You have written me such excellent ones---touching me to the very core, yet have I been unable to do more than acknowledge their receipt by a few hurried lines of thanks and selfish moanings. The truth is, Jervy, my brain seems to be threadbare---I feel full of matter and take up my pen to give it vent when a daze comes over my mind & ideas (what few I may possess) fly off at a tangent and leave me in utter vacuity. For all this, Jervy, do not cease to write me just the same for fear your letters are unappreciated, indeed they are not; I keep them all and value them dearly. Under the strange and distressing con- <hr /> ditions to which I am now subjected you can, I know, fully understand just how helpless I am. What a complication of troubles are upon me! My professional success, so far, & its uncertainty in the future (here, I mean) is alone enough to keep me on tenterhooks. I am over run with invitations & various courtesies that cannot be slighted & wh. are a devilish bore to me at best, and the doubt as to the possibility of riveting my hold upon the English by another engagement (for this with Irving is but a few nights' spurt in characters I've already acted here)---and the uncertainty of Mary's condition; whether she will die soon, as the doctors predicted weeks ago, or live a lunatic, and the anxiety I feel for Edwina---whose complexion & frequent <hr /> ails convince me of her ill health---all these agonies drive me nearly distracted sometimes. Then to think that I have to endure the presence of Mrs. McVicker---a vile-tongued virago & slanderer, and shall soon have her husband too, a man who owes me gratitude and gives me unkindness in its stead,--- by Jupiter! my Jervy, the case is complicated, & twisted like the crown of thorns; intertwined and filled with painful prickles. Dear Edwina is, as you said she would be, brave and perfectly capable. She feels great pride in her responsibility & does all things remarkably well. indeed it seems now, at the end of her third week of actual housekeeping, as though she had been as it always; her mistakes have been so few & trifling that they serve merely as a foil to her successes. She is quite matronly---in manner, if not in appearance. She is doubly anxious, for me as well as for Mary---for whom, <hr /> of course, she retains great affection---despite the evils that have chilled the warmth of her filial love. and I worry a great deal on her account. If I were only free now I could start at once for the Continent & give her the advantage of baths &c at the various spas---but I'm kept in bondage by my engagements in the Provinces & Mary's sickness & so must take the chances. If Edwina breaks down I shall give up for "good & all". Mary's madness is assuming a violent form now. 'till recently she has been very docile. Edwina is at church & Mistress McWicked, my delicious mother-in-law, has just entered with a hell-cat's glare in her pale green eyes, so I'll quit you here, with a God Bless you! You see---not a word of you! all of myself, as usual. I expect [Hennessey?] every minute. Will tell of him in my report. Love to all your folks. Adieu! Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/32c554948a36b8f502890eb392bf1bfd.pdf 59a4c647c58bca9b64f8692737832935 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. [24] Windsor Hotel July 25th '81 Dear Jervy - The distressful state my domestic affairs renders me unfit for letter writing-I have been obliged to dance attendance on my wife's parents, not daring, for her sake, to assert myself & turn them adrift. 'Tis too long a story to tell here-lets' drop it 'til we meet, & turn to you. Your letter, my dear Jervy, set my [heart?] "way up!" 'tis the first cheerful, [hearty?] one I've had these many days & be sure it rejoiceth my very core to see the life-blood coursing through your veins. Much as I long to see you I honestly wish you [cd?] stay six months at least in the new world, the new life you are now enjoying. Let its influence be permanent & [whisk?] aside the blues forever and amen! if these parts recall them when you return-pull up stakes & "go west, young man" again, & if need be stay there & send your pictures here & abroad; I'll go out to see you when you get [all?]settled there.- I have not yet <hr /> seen [Laurent?] - but hear that he has several orders: I hope he will stick to work-he was out of town when I called. I have little chance to see anyone out of this hotel. I have such a run of callers when I am here, then I must give some time to Edwina & take her out of town occassionally & run to Long Branch to see Mother now & then. I owe [Stedman?] & Johnson visits & so do I others of lesser import, but don't know when I can pay the debts. It keeps me pretty busy refuting the slanders which Mary & the McVickers daily set afloat. They try now to prevent my paying my wife's hotel bills, in order to prove my meanness & brutality; they do all they can to keep me from her & her people I never visit her. Their object is to get possession of my Chicago property-([standing?] in Mary's name) & fear my influence will check-mate their designs,---- The weather <hr /> here seems hot-after the breeze of Newport, which I inhaled yesterday; I went there to see some land I bought a few years ago & am much pleased with my purchase, though I may never build. I should like to live there-if I ever live any where permanently this side the "Summer-land" (I believe that's the spirit-phrase)---I was going to say the grave, but suddenly bethought me that one doesn't live in such places. Edwina had a jolly time at [Rondout?] (sorry I didn't go), and since Saturday has been with Julia while I went with [name?] to Newport. I expect her return in the course of an hour-after she gets through lunching with Julia. They went to see a regatta in wh Downing took part & I've no doubt she will be full of his prowess, &c.- Mrs Booth keeps about the same; strong enough to do for herself & she looks as well as you ever saw her-but she coughs badly & says she has great pain in her lungs. I learn, however, that tho' she is not improving at all-that she may last six months. <hr /> Would to heaven that I was assured of her living six hours-I'd have a divorce at once & get rid of the hell she has made for me; but I must be patient & endure. You see how I go back to myself every now & then; I can't rid my thoughts of the basic ingratitude & devilish villainy of which I am the victim; therefore sir "Amble off" & let you enjoy the fulness and the ripeness of yr freedom-drink your fill of nature and come home with the determination to digest it leisurely; don't let Dyspepsia ever again depress you. Adieu ! with a thousand God bless you's Yours ever Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 18 x 12 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300432 T1881.07.25-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1881-07-25 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth writes Jervis McEntee that Mary is still very, very ill, and the McVickers, who he would like to set adrift, are still staying with the Booths. Booth speaks of visiting several people and mentions others he should call upon. The in-laws prevent him from paying his "wife's hotel bills in order to prove my meaness & brutality," and they tell people that Booth never visits her. Edwina is enjoying the summer and spends time with Julie [Vaux]. "Mrs. Booth keeps about the same, strong enough to do for herself but she coughs badly and says she has great pain in her lungs. Booth says: "I'd have a divorce at once & get rid of the hell she has made for me; but I must be patient and endure." Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. [24] Windsor Hotel July 25th '81 Dear Jervy - The distressful state my domestic affairs renders me unfit for letter writing-I have been obliged to dance attendance on my wife's parents, not daring, for her sake, to assert myself & turn them adrift. 'Tis too long a story to tell here-lets' drop it 'til we meet, & turn to you. Your letter, my dear Jervy, set my [heart?] "way up!" 'tis the first cheerful, [hearty?] one I've had these many days & be sure it rejoiceth my very core to see the life-blood coursing through your veins. Much as I long to see you I honestly wish you [cd?] stay six months at least in the new world, the new life you are now enjoying. Let its influence be permanent & [whisk?] aside the blues forever and amen! if these parts recall them when you return-pull up stakes & "go west, young man" again, & if need be stay there & send your pictures here & abroad; I'll go out to see you when you get [all?]settled there.- I have not yet <hr /> seen [Laurent?] - but hear that he has several orders: I hope he will stick to work-he was out of town when I called. I have little chance to see anyone out of this hotel. I have such a run of callers when I am here, then I must give some time to Edwina & take her out of town occassionally & run to Long Branch to see Mother now & then. I owe [Stedman?] & Johnson visits & so do I others of lesser import, but don't know when I can pay the debts. It keeps me pretty busy refuting the slanders which Mary & the McVickers daily set afloat. They try now to prevent my paying my wife's hotel bills, in order to prove my meanness & brutality; they do all they can to keep me from her & her people I never visit her. Their object is to get possession of my Chicago property-([standing?] in Mary's name) & fear my influence will check-mate their designs,---- The weather <hr /> here seems hot-after the breeze of Newport, which I inhaled yesterday; I went there to see some land I bought a few years ago & am much pleased with my purchase, though I may never build. I should like to live there-if I ever live any where permanently this side the "Summer-land" (I believe that's the spirit-phrase)---I was going to say the grave, but suddenly bethought me that one doesn't live in such places. Edwina had a jolly time at [Rondout?] (sorry I didn't go), and since Saturday has been with Julia while I went with [name?] to Newport. I expect her return in the course of an hour-after she gets through lunching with Julia. They went to see a regatta in wh Downing took part & I've no doubt she will be full of his prowess, &c.- Mrs Booth keeps about the same; strong enough to do for herself & she looks as well as you ever saw her-but she coughs badly & says she has great pain in her lungs. I learn, however, that tho' she is not improving at all-that she may last six months. <hr /> Would to heaven that I was assured of her living six hours-I'd have a divorce at once & get rid of the hell she has made for me; but I must be patient & endure. You see how I go back to myself every now & then; I can't rid my thoughts of the basic ingratitude & devilish villainy of which I am the victim; therefore sir "Amble off" & let you enjoy the fulness and the ripeness of yr freedom-drink your fill of nature and come home with the determination to digest it leisurely; don't let Dyspepsia ever again depress you. Adieu ! with a thousand God bless you's Yours ever Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/0ee5d32fe8b89f0c74b3da9d0b0fee3e.pdf 8f83d9bf0d208454583ced90690ba595 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 25 I didn't answer Jr. last, because I expected him home earlier. Windsor Hotel Sept. 15th ‘81 My dear Jervy Welcome home! Edwina & I just returned from Met: Music Hall & find a card from Downing under the door & Jr. letter in my box. It is too orphul dern'd bad, Jervy, that we cant come to you this Saturday---but the next we will be free---if you’ll still be at Rondout. I <hr /> have not seen my Mother for a long time & tother day I got a letter from her saying she was very lonely & wanted me to visit her soon---at once I wrote her & promised to go down to the Branch Saturday & stay ‘till Monday. I am delighted at the good accounts of you & the effect of the western wilds upon your health. I sincerely hope twill last & that every summer you <hr /> will take a dose of the same tonic! Alas! I shall see but little of you---for after my four weeks term here I shall be “on the road” ‘till next April & in May I hope to return to Europe for a year. I tried an experiment on Launt & the success thus far is miraculous. Don’t say anything to him about it, but you’ll find a marvelous change in the old boy---unless by some sad accident he should slip up; but I do not fear it. I’ll tell you all about it <hr /> when we meet. For a month he has been as I’ve not seen him for years! Edwina joins me in love to you all. Have not seen Mrs. B. for six weeks---she is, the Dr. says, very much better & is getting stout ---for her. She’ll yet outlive us all. Edwina & I are brought closer together (which is a happiness) by this separation. I presume ‘tis all for the best. I hope you’ve brought some live buffalos and your scalp with you. Bless your old alkali! Good night! Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 18 x 12 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300434 T1881.09.15-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1881-09-15 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth informs Jervis McEntee that Booth and Edwina have been to the Music Hall noting that Booth's mother is lonely and wants him to visit. Booth has a four week engagement that will keep him "on the road" until April and hopes to return to Europe for a year in May. He has not seen his wife for six weeks. The doctor says that she is much better and getting stout. He and Edwina are brought even closer by all of this trouble. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 25 I didn't answer Jr. last, because I expected him home earlier. Windsor Hotel Sept. 15th ‘81 My dear Jervy Welcome home! Edwina & I just returned from Met: Music Hall & find a card from Downing under the door & Jr. letter in my box. It is too orphul dern'd bad, Jervy, that we cant come to you this Saturday---but the next we will be free---if you’ll still be at Rondout. I <hr /> have not seen my Mother for a long time & tother day I got a letter from her saying she was very lonely & wanted me to visit her soon---at once I wrote her & promised to go down to the Branch Saturday & stay ‘till Monday. I am delighted at the good accounts of you & the effect of the western wilds upon your health. I sincerely hope twill last & that every summer you <hr /> will take a dose of the same tonic! Alas! I shall see but little of you---for after my four weeks term here I shall be “on the road” ‘till next April & in May I hope to return to Europe for a year. I tried an experiment on Launt & the success thus far is miraculous. Don’t say anything to him about it, but you’ll find a marvelous change in the old boy---unless by some sad accident he should slip up; but I do not fear it. I’ll tell you all about it <hr /> when we meet. For a month he has been as I’ve not seen him for years! Edwina joins me in love to you all. Have not seen Mrs. B. for six weeks---she is, the Dr. says, very much better & is getting stout ---for her. She’ll yet outlive us all. Edwina & I are brought closer together (which is a happiness) by this separation. I presume ‘tis all for the best. I hope you’ve brought some live buffalos and your scalp with you. Bless your old alkali! Good night! Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/c6ace3196bc139d72ad5e930b7cd6f03.pdf 59ecae1b204ba511b48e9d4735a8ceed Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. (Notation at Top Left of Page 1) 26 (Notation at Top Right of Page 1) 1881? Brooklyn Novr. 5th My dear Jervy -- It seems that since we've been drawn closer we've been longer sundered -- so far as correspondence goes, at least. I have not had the heart or the strength to write -- more than a mere scratch to Mother now & then. Hoping to see you surely before I go on my long trip (this April next) I have deferred writing <hr /> 'till now I'm off & still too tired & too deprefsed to say more than that I am happy in the apparent happinefs of our dear ones & want to see & to chat with you -- about them & about us & other fellus -- very, very much. Glad am I to hear that you sold a picture & if it were well advertised you would doubtlefs sell more; <hr /> You must cultivate a little businefs faculty -- "afsume one if you have it not." My businefs has been fine. My life has been tortured by frequent reports of my wife's expected death & the fowl slanders which the filthy minded parents still circulate about me, but I shall say nothing 'till they force me to defend myself -- then they'll think hell's broke loose on 'em! Downing says he <hr /> telegraphed you to come down for tomorrow -- I shall spend the evening at his house & I do hope you'll be there. In the afternoon we attend the marriage of Horace McVicker & Mifs Weaver -- another blow at the McWickeds! Have lots to talk about -- but can't write. Tried ten times to-day to write a simple note of regret to Mrs. Astor who asks me to dinner & had to give it up -- both -- the note & dinner. <hr /> Lauret, I fear, has gone back on my gold cure! You should be at the Century tonight & help get me reinstated: are you? 'Tis now 3 o'clk A. M. tomorrow & I shall make my usual desperate efforts to get a nap before breakfast -- haven't slept too much o' late. Love to yr. parents & Aunt Faisl. Ever Yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 5 p 18 x 12 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300436 T1881.11.05-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1881-11-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth confesses to Jervis McEntee that he is exhausted and far behind on his correspondence. Booth comments about his wife's expected death and the "slanders which the filthy minded parents still circulate about me." Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. (Notation at Top Left of Page 1) 26 (Notation at Top Right of Page 1) 1881? Brooklyn Novr. 5th My dear Jervy -- It seems that since we've been drawn closer we've been longer sundered -- so far as correspondence goes, at least. I have not had the heart or the strength to write -- more than a mere scratch to Mother now & then. Hoping to see you surely before I go on my long trip (this April next) I have deferred writing <hr /> 'till now I'm off & still too tired & too deprefsed to say more than that I am happy in the apparent happinefs of our dear ones & want to see & to chat with you -- about them & about us & other fellus -- very, very much. Glad am I to hear that you sold a picture & if it were well advertised you would doubtlefs sell more; <hr /> You must cultivate a little businefs faculty -- "afsume one if you have it not." My businefs has been fine. My life has been tortured by frequent reports of my wife's expected death & the fowl slanders which the filthy minded parents still circulate about me, but I shall say nothing 'till they force me to defend myself -- then they'll think hell's broke loose on 'em! Downing says he <hr /> telegraphed you to come down for tomorrow -- I shall spend the evening at his house & I do hope you'll be there. In the afternoon we attend the marriage of Horace McVicker & Mifs Weaver -- another blow at the McWickeds! Have lots to talk about -- but can't write. Tried ten times to-day to write a simple note of regret to Mrs. Astor who asks me to dinner & had to give it up -- both -- the note & dinner. <hr /> Lauret, I fear, has gone back on my gold cure! You should be at the Century tonight & help get me reinstated: are you? 'Tis now 3 o'clk A. M. tomorrow & I shall make my usual desperate efforts to get a nap before breakfast -- haven't slept too much o' late. Love to yr. parents & Aunt Faisl. Ever Yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/1deb8e32ce96b97a6c6996b50a494443.pdf 19445e1fab91f8830857d6e36b84e412 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 6 p 18 x 12 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300437 T1881.11.24-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1881-11-24 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource In his lettter to Jervis McEntee Booth talks about ongoing in-law problems and his wife's death. Booth expresses the hope that the spirits will sway Mary's evil minded parents to do him right. He believes that Mary was kept under alcoholic influence after her parents took her from him. Booth tells McEntee that Edwina received a letter from Mrs. Vaux and adds that he thinks Downing Vaux, Edwina's fiance, "... is a dear good boy." He concludes with more details of his itinerary. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20000 Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Start Transcribing https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/624f5be1afaf651f1df5f9daf2327369.pdf abc0c61e4406edcaeaacc5e12890baee Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 28 London, July 2nd 1882 Dear Jervy---I’m afraid this will be a poor apology for a letter; somehow I have lost the mood for correspondence, I seem to be utterly devoid of ideas or information of any sort. Yours of June 17 from the ‘backwoods’ came duly & since then Julia has heard from you. I regret the hardship you are enduring, but believe it will do you a world of good & result pleasantly. I’ve had some hard work these past four weeks to fashionably bad houses & look for harder times the next two, which will close my London engt, after which we shall tour a little in Holland, Germany & Swit- <hr /> land for a rest, prior to the confounded provincial engagements. I daresay you hear all that I can tell you through the folks at home who hear often from Julia. She is having a jolly time with her relatives here and is as jolly a little fellow as ever. Edwina is quite well now, the doctors say, but she sees few people & visits fewer. I long to be at my German work, my contracts are signed---to begin in Berlin, & with a German company. Have seen nothing of the [Boughtons?] yet---believe they are out of town, ‘tis fashionable to be out of town at this season, the London [term?] is over. I came <hr /> too late, last year I came too early. We three are sitting at one table scribbling away for dear life---this being my first quiet Sunday at home I have lots of letters to answer that have accumulated during the past few weeks. The more of London I see the more I long to live here---I mean in the summer, the fall & winter are perhaps more depressing than elsewhere, but the houses are so cosy & hospitable that ‘outdoors’ is soon forgotten: I daresay, however, that when our cot at Newport is finished & our young ones are married I shall be contented to remain at home. Abbey <hr /> has engaged [Irving?] for six months next year & wants me to fill the time here at the Lyceum during Irving's absence, but I hardly think it would be wise to work so laboriously for mere fame, at my time of life. The English critics have said all they can of me, yet the masses do not come to my theatre; it would take me several years to get a “following” sufficient to fill my benches; were I ten years younger I could seize the opportunity. Met Aldrich here--he, Winter & Barrett come together. they are scattered now; Hutton is here just now & he’s the only one I loaf with. H.R.H. came one night last week & had a chat with the Cardinal during an ‘entire act.’ Julia says he winked at her. Good night, old friend. Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 18 x 11 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300439 T1882.07.02-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1882-07-02 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth apologizes to Jervis McEntee for being a poor correspondent. Julia Vaux is with them and Edwina's health has returned, but she seldom visits with people. He talks of his travels and upcoming engagements. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Needs Review Percent Needs Review The percentage of pages with Needs Review status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 200 Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 28 London, July 2nd 1882 Dear Jervy---I’m afraid this will be a poor apology for a letter; somehow I have lost the mood for correspondence, I seem to be utterly devoid of ideas or information of any sort. Yours of June 17 from the ‘backwoods’ came duly & since then Julia has heard from you. I regret the hardship you are enduring, but believe it will do you a world of good & result pleasantly. I’ve had some hard work these past four weeks to fashionably bad houses & look for harder times the next two, which will close my London engt, after which we shall tour a little in Holland, Germany & Swit- <hr /> land for a rest, prior to the confounded provincial engagements. I daresay you hear all that I can tell you through the folks at home who hear often from Julia. She is having a jolly time with her relatives here and is as jolly a little fellow as ever. Edwina is quite well now, the doctors say, but she sees few people & visits fewer. I long to be at my German work, my contracts are signed---to begin in Berlin, & with a German company. Have seen nothing of the [Boughtons?] yet---believe they are out of town, ‘tis fashionable to be out of town at this season, the London [term?] is over. I came <hr /> too late, last year I came too early. We three are sitting at one table scribbling away for dear life---this being my first quiet Sunday at home I have lots of letters to answer that have accumulated during the past few weeks. The more of London I see the more I long to live here---I mean in the summer, the fall & winter are perhaps more depressing than elsewhere, but the houses are so cosy & hospitable that ‘outdoors’ is soon forgotten: I daresay, however, that when our cot at Newport is finished & our young ones are married I shall be contented to remain at home. Abbey <hr /> has engaged [Irving?] for six months next year & wants me to fill the time here at the Lyceum during Irving's absence, but I hardly think it would be wise to work so laboriously for mere fame, at my time of life. The English critics have said all they can of me, yet the masses do not come to my theatre; it would take me several years to get a “following” sufficient to fill my benches; were I ten years younger I could seize the opportunity. Met Aldrich here--he, Winter & Barrett come together. they are scattered now; Hutton is here just now & he’s the only one I loaf with. H.R.H. came one night last week & had a chat with the Cardinal during an ‘entire act.’ Julia says he winked at her. Good night, old friend. Edwin https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/11cf5b50f8b1944be6f4a7db63911c92.pdf 4bbbe86e8f3d63b6a281faf8901f0489 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. Heidelburgh August 18th ‘82 My dear Jervy – I wrote you from London &, as you directed from your camp in the wilderness, I sent my letter to [Rondout?]. I have no doubt but that another from you, with a host of others we expected here today on our arrival, is following us about Germany & that by the time we are back in London it will catch me. The girls <hr /> Edwina particularly are sadly disappointed at finding nothing here from home; nearly a week since we’ve had a letter. We were obliged to skip Amsterdam (wh I wished so much to see) and get out of Holland as soon as possible on out of the dampness wh affected Edwina, & indeed I, too, felt the bad effects of it; Julia did not feel it in the least – all places agree with her. We stopped last night at [Beringen?] & today had a delightful experience at Castle <hr /> Rhinestein, the cosiest & most interesting castle I’ve ever seen – inhabited by the owner’s servant, [as?] [he?] (the Prince somebody) visits it once in a while for a day or two. Why should such places be owned by such folks? An artist or a student should have it. We have had a very good time of it so far – but we have to hurry & that fatigues us. In Switzerland we will stop longer in each place & give up many that we had intended to visit, hoping to do them at some future time. I think I should like to pass the balance of my life in touring Europe <hr /> leisurely-with a single male companion. I am a poor hand at caring for others. I require so much looking after myself. I hope your roughing it is over & that you are now having a jolly good time in the wilds. Think of my having to pull through 12 weeks of acting in the villages of England! The thought of it [ruins?] my enjoyment of the present holiday, were it to be in London I should not so much mind. it. Good night! My miserable stylograph is giving out & I must quit. All send love. Ever yours Edwin. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 18 x 12 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300440 T1882.08.18-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1882-08-18 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth reports to Jervis McEntee that his travels continue. Booth, Edwina and Julia are disappointed to not receive letters from home. They had to skip Amsterdam because the dampness of Holland affected Booth and Edwina, but "Julia did not feel it in the least - all places agree with her." Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. Heidelburgh August 18th ‘82 My dear Jervy – I wrote you from London &, as you directed from your camp in the wilderness, I sent my letter to [Rondout?]. I have no doubt but that another from you, with a host of others we expected here today on our arrival, is following us about Germany & that by the time we are back in London it will catch me. The girls <hr /> Edwina particularly are sadly disappointed at finding nothing here from home; nearly a week since we’ve had a letter. We were obliged to skip Amsterdam (wh I wished so much to see) and get out of Holland as soon as possible on out of the dampness wh affected Edwina, & indeed I, too, felt the bad effects of it; Julia did not feel it in the least – all places agree with her. We stopped last night at [Beringen?] & today had a delightful experience at Castle <hr /> Rhinestein, the cosiest & most interesting castle I’ve ever seen – inhabited by the owner’s servant, [as?] [he?] (the Prince somebody) visits it once in a while for a day or two. Why should such places be owned by such folks? An artist or a student should have it. We have had a very good time of it so far – but we have to hurry & that fatigues us. In Switzerland we will stop longer in each place & give up many that we had intended to visit, hoping to do them at some future time. I think I should like to pass the balance of my life in touring Europe <hr /> leisurely-with a single male companion. I am a poor hand at caring for others. I require so much looking after myself. I hope your roughing it is over & that you are now having a jolly good time in the wilds. Think of my having to pull through 12 weeks of acting in the villages of England! The thought of it [ruins?] my enjoyment of the present holiday, were it to be in London I should not so much mind. it. Good night! My miserable stylograph is giving out & I must quit. All send love. Ever yours Edwin. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/16d38e9c212dd5db2ae6804cb0a70e8a.pdf 09b1ee21d8ee0bbed62a5ad9c2ac417e Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 30 Hull, Octr: 29th ‘82 My dear Jervy- I have just reread your last (Octr: 1”) and, though dull & stupid as I am tonight, I will endeavor to answer it. You wish me to destroy it & write you a cheerful one in reply. The first I will not do because it is one of your best & most interesting epistles, the latter request I fear I cannot grant, for---as I have said---I am dumpy & dull “as an old cat with the mumps” tonight and, indeed, have been so for some time past, without any cause whatever---unless it be nervous fatigue. I wish I could share your delicious October weather with you, sad though its influence is; tis a sweet sadness such as one cannot feel in this drizzly, smoky & foggy atmosphere of England. I envy you even in the “dumps”---as you say. <hr /> The melancholy that falls on me in this climate is a sort of ‘gone-ness,' an utter lack of interest in everything past, present or future, and this very dearth of feeling, as it were, makes me envy, for the time, those who are really unhappy---which I am not. I used to say it was your liver that caused your ‘blues,’ I presume its' my unstrung nervous system that flattens me out. That express just how I feel most of the time. No, your letter is full of interest & [positive?] feeling and expression, too, therefore I shall keep it with those I put by for winter-night reading in the days to come, when my girl is somebody else’s & I, like you, shall have to poke around in lonely places. I wonder how & where I shall pass my time then (if there be any time for me). I am sure I can never become a club-man, like you I am dependant on the domestic side of life, without it I shall be entirely lost. But I do not let <hr /> such thoughts affect me, though they steal in, I find, more frequently as the weeks roll on. The girls are happy & brighten the atmosphere of our homes, for every [week?] we have a new one, you know. Of course they are very much occupied with their little plans & secrets & their voluminous correspondence. At this season there is little to be done in the way of sight-seeing & most of the places we visit are stupid, dirty & uninteresting. We thought of going to Rome for Xmas, but the touring thither & thence to Berlin would be too fatiguing just before my German engagement in that city--- the first of a dozen towns I shall act in. At the close of which time we expect Downing to join us & return with us in the Spring. I know [Howells?] & like him, but I fear I shall not read his book, for somehow I have lost interest in reading & am too tired (or lazy) when not acting. He, Aldrich, Hutton, [Barnes?] & some dozen others of note---all Yanks were at Asgood’s dinner in London before I began this trip & <hr /> we had a very jolly time ‘till about eleven o’clock, so---you see---we were moderate. [illegible] has sent me his “Rambles”---all delightful: how he can enjoy! I suppose you will take a peek at the lovely Langtry---let me know of her affect on you. I had a very nice letter from [illegible] some weeks ago which I must answer tonight, if possible. He seemed to be himself & at his best when he wrote it. Have heard nothing more from Maria. The ‘Provinces’ are all very enthusiastic, both press & audiences but their sixpences don’t count up very largely on salary day. After next week we go to Dublin for a stop of 12 nights, then back to England on the ‘home-stretch.’ I shall be glad when [this?] useless & profitless trip is ended; just so much wasted time & labor! The girls join me in love to you all. Write often & just as you feel & I’ll do my best for you, wish I could fill another sheet tonight, but I am spent. Ever yours Edwin. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 21 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300441 T1882.10.29-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1882-10-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth begins his letter to Jervis McEntee by saying that he is "dumpy & dull as an old cat with the mumps." He thanks McEntee for the interesting letter which McEntee asked him to destroy. They won't be going to Rome for Christmas because it would be too tiring before his German engagement. Booth expects Downing Vaux to join them and return with them in the spring. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 30 Hull, Octr: 29th ‘82 My dear Jervy- I have just reread your last (Octr: 1”) and, though dull & stupid as I am tonight, I will endeavor to answer it. You wish me to destroy it & write you a cheerful one in reply. The first I will not do because it is one of your best & most interesting epistles, the latter request I fear I cannot grant, for---as I have said---I am dumpy & dull “as an old cat with the mumps” tonight and, indeed, have been so for some time past, without any cause whatever---unless it be nervous fatigue. I wish I could share your delicious October weather with you, sad though its influence is; tis a sweet sadness such as one cannot feel in this drizzly, smoky & foggy atmosphere of England. I envy you even in the “dumps”---as you say. <hr /> The melancholy that falls on me in this climate is a sort of ‘gone-ness,' an utter lack of interest in everything past, present or future, and this very dearth of feeling, as it were, makes me envy, for the time, those who are really unhappy---which I am not. I used to say it was your liver that caused your ‘blues,’ I presume its' my unstrung nervous system that flattens me out. That express just how I feel most of the time. No, your letter is full of interest & [positive?] feeling and expression, too, therefore I shall keep it with those I put by for winter-night reading in the days to come, when my girl is somebody else’s & I, like you, shall have to poke around in lonely places. I wonder how & where I shall pass my time then (if there be any time for me). I am sure I can never become a club-man, like you I am dependant on the domestic side of life, without it I shall be entirely lost. But I do not let <hr /> such thoughts affect me, though they steal in, I find, more frequently as the weeks roll on. The girls are happy & brighten the atmosphere of our homes, for every [week?] we have a new one, you know. Of course they are very much occupied with their little plans & secrets & their voluminous correspondence. At this season there is little to be done in the way of sight-seeing & most of the places we visit are stupid, dirty & uninteresting. We thought of going to Rome for Xmas, but the touring thither & thence to Berlin would be too fatiguing just before my German engagement in that city--- the first of a dozen towns I shall act in. At the close of which time we expect Downing to join us & return with us in the Spring. I know [Howells?] & like him, but I fear I shall not read his book, for somehow I have lost interest in reading & am too tired (or lazy) when not acting. He, Aldrich, Hutton, [Barnes?] & some dozen others of note---all Yanks were at Asgood’s dinner in London before I began this trip & <hr /> we had a very jolly time ‘till about eleven o’clock, so---you see---we were moderate. [illegible] has sent me his “Rambles”---all delightful: how he can enjoy! I suppose you will take a peek at the lovely Langtry---let me know of her affect on you. I had a very nice letter from [illegible] some weeks ago which I must answer tonight, if possible. He seemed to be himself & at his best when he wrote it. Have heard nothing more from Maria. The ‘Provinces’ are all very enthusiastic, both press & audiences but their sixpences don’t count up very largely on salary day. After next week we go to Dublin for a stop of 12 nights, then back to England on the ‘home-stretch.’ I shall be glad when [this?] useless & profitless trip is ended; just so much wasted time & labor! The girls join me in love to you all. Write often & just as you feel & I’ll do my best for you, wish I could fill another sheet tonight, but I am spent. Ever yours Edwin. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/37664450423afbee51e09c2d1e2c2180.pdf a39f1b42ef633b7f273a3537776350aa Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 31 Dublin, Nov. 13th ‘82 Dear Jervy Today I am 49---! How I have scattered my time: at 21 I was in Australia, at 44 in the Mammoth Cave, today in "Erin." I don’t think I shall “go bragh” any more when I once get settled down & have a fixed home---if ever. The girls are abed and I sit lonely with my pipe and [you?]. I won’t be ‘blue’ tho' derned if I will! Although there’s a tendency that way just now. I’ve heard sad things of poor [illegible] & <hr /> am really anxious about him. Two weeks ago, the date of my information, he was on his back at the Grand Hotel in N.[Y.?] with inflammatory rheumatism, helpless & in great pain. I have just sent him a few words of comfort, I hope, & directed the letter to the Century, as it may be that he has left the hotel, if possible to move him, and if you can expedite my letter to him do so, for at the Club his whereabouts, may be unknown. I am also worried about Downing--- <hr /> am anxious to know if he is able to come & if so (his father cabled “yes”) when will he start? Both the girls are impatient & worried, although they feel sure the danger is past. Poor boy! I hope he has been with you & is all right again. His coming will change our plan for the Spring. instead of going to Italy we will take a trip to America in April---at the close of my German engagements. Entre nous ---this is quite an [illegible] for Julia’s sake as for any other consideration; Europe has lost its charm for her now, but this is twixt her & [me?] <hr /> Everything here has been lovely---except the weather; full & fashionable house & sufficient puffery to satisfy the vainest heart, but as I have before remarked “sixpences isn’t dollars.” Five weeks more of English [drudgery?] & then for glory, or fizzle, in Die Vaterland: I expect the latter. Good night, my Jervy. Write often. Love to all our folks & friends---particularly to your dear parents. Adieu! Ever yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 18 x 12 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300442 T1882.11.13-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1882-11-13 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource On the occassion of his 49th birthday, Edwin Booth recalls in a letter to Jervis McEntee of how he spent some previous birthdays. Booth is worried about Downing Vaux, but Downing will be joining them for the remainder of their tour. Downing's mother, Julia Vaux, is tiring of Europe. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 31 Dublin, Nov. 13th ‘82 Dear Jervy Today I am 49---! How I have scattered my time: at 21 I was in Australia, at 44 in the Mammoth Cave, today in "Erin." I don’t think I shall “go bragh” any more when I once get settled down & have a fixed home---if ever. The girls are abed and I sit lonely with my pipe and [you?]. I won’t be ‘blue’ tho' derned if I will! Although there’s a tendency that way just now. I’ve heard sad things of poor [illegible] & <hr /> am really anxious about him. Two weeks ago, the date of my information, he was on his back at the Grand Hotel in N.[Y.?] with inflammatory rheumatism, helpless & in great pain. I have just sent him a few words of comfort, I hope, & directed the letter to the Century, as it may be that he has left the hotel, if possible to move him, and if you can expedite my letter to him do so, for at the Club his whereabouts, may be unknown. I am also worried about Downing--- <hr /> am anxious to know if he is able to come & if so (his father cabled “yes”) when will he start? Both the girls are impatient & worried, although they feel sure the danger is past. Poor boy! I hope he has been with you & is all right again. His coming will change our plan for the Spring. instead of going to Italy we will take a trip to America in April---at the close of my German engagements. Entre nous ---this is quite an [illegible] for Julia’s sake as for any other consideration; Europe has lost its charm for her now, but this is twixt her & [me?] <hr /> Everything here has been lovely---except the weather; full & fashionable house & sufficient puffery to satisfy the vainest heart, but as I have before remarked “sixpences isn’t dollars.” Five weeks more of English [drudgery?] & then for glory, or fizzle, in Die Vaterland: I expect the latter. Good night, my Jervy. Write often. Love to all our folks & friends---particularly to your dear parents. Adieu! Ever yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/1c00b8ed70589a46143a134cd86ece12.pdf 4f263d08430eded18346c5dc71720984 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. Hotel Meurice 228, Rue de Rivoli, 228 Paris H. Scheurich Proprietaire May 4th '83 Dear Jervy Your very interesting letter of April 3rd reached me somewhere in Vienna, I presume, and---like yourself---I have made several ineffectual attempts to write you since its receipt, something always put it off. Since you wrote Edwina has received several very encouraging letters from Downing & she looks forward eagerly & hopefully to their meeting which I pray God may be a very happy one. I wrote Downing some week or ten days ago, from Frankfort, I think, and I hope the proposition I made him will suggest something he can put into shape. I have long wished to read Fanny Kemble’s writings, some of her early things I have. She is a remarkable woman, but I do not think <hr /> that I could ever muster sufficient courage to meet her, although her father (Charles Kemble) and mine were very good friends. I have heard father speak of him as a perfect type of the true gentleman. I shall stay here longer than I intended which will, I fear, prevent my going to Stratford & Leamington as I planned to do. I see my old friend Mr. Flower, the Mayor of Stratford and the founder of the 'Shakespeare Memorial' there is lately dead. I promised to dine with him when I next visited Stratford. When I was last there he was in Scotland. Now he is in Heaven; quite a distance 'twist the places. But I’m ungrateful: the Scotch treated me splendidly & I love em, spite of their <hr /> ‘drizzle’ and ‘mist.’ I have just rec’d a dispatch from Irving asking me to meet H.R.H., Mr Lowell and the American Admiral (who is he?) at supper Monday night. Can’t go---sorry, but must remain here where I am not known & get some sort of rest, even in the whirl of crowded Paris. I know about six folks here & seldom see them. Edwina & I do our little shopping & trot about all day gaping into shop windows & yawn & read ‘till bedtime. Been twice only to theatre & dived out ditto. I am now at the life of Goethe, by Lewes; we visited his house at Frankfort on Shakespeare’s birthday & straightway bought the memoir & I am deeply interested, but reading does me little good. I remember nothing. <hr /> Your account of Launt is a sad disappointment. I had a letter from him, shortly before I received yours, which was so full of his words and his old self that I thought he had got out of the rut he has been in so long: poor boy! I expect to hear of his death or [madness?] at any time. I wish I could give you as long & as interesting letters as you give me---but the process of writing is very difficult for me & I become muddled doing it---unable to put what few ideas I may have into form; so take me as I am. Met the over Rev. [Tying?] Jr. today, he wants me to breakfast with him. Pas de tout. I know I had a dozen things to tell you but can’t remember them---they are gone. Edwa tells me you have sold some pictures & have been jolly: good for Jervis! Our loves to your parents, Aunt [Said?] & all the dear ones. Ever yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 21 x 14 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300445 T1883.05.04-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1883-05-04 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth writes Jervis McEntee that Edwina has heard from Downing and looks forward to their meeting. Booth himself has written to Downing with some sort of proposition. He wants to read the writings of Fanny Kimble but hesitates to meet her, although their fathers were friends. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. Hotel Meurice 228, Rue de Rivoli, 228 Paris H. Scheurich Proprietaire May 4th '83 Dear Jervy Your very interesting letter of April 3rd reached me somewhere in Vienna, I presume, and---like yourself---I have made several ineffectual attempts to write you since its receipt, something always put it off. Since you wrote Edwina has received several very encouraging letters from Downing & she looks forward eagerly & hopefully to their meeting which I pray God may be a very happy one. I wrote Downing some week or ten days ago, from Frankfort, I think, and I hope the proposition I made him will suggest something he can put into shape. I have long wished to read Fanny Kemble’s writings, some of her early things I have. She is a remarkable woman, but I do not think <hr /> that I could ever muster sufficient courage to meet her, although her father (Charles Kemble) and mine were very good friends. I have heard father speak of him as a perfect type of the true gentleman. I shall stay here longer than I intended which will, I fear, prevent my going to Stratford & Leamington as I planned to do. I see my old friend Mr. Flower, the Mayor of Stratford and the founder of the 'Shakespeare Memorial' there is lately dead. I promised to dine with him when I next visited Stratford. When I was last there he was in Scotland. Now he is in Heaven; quite a distance 'twist the places. But I’m ungrateful: the Scotch treated me splendidly & I love em, spite of their <hr /> ‘drizzle’ and ‘mist.’ I have just rec’d a dispatch from Irving asking me to meet H.R.H., Mr Lowell and the American Admiral (who is he?) at supper Monday night. Can’t go---sorry, but must remain here where I am not known & get some sort of rest, even in the whirl of crowded Paris. I know about six folks here & seldom see them. Edwina & I do our little shopping & trot about all day gaping into shop windows & yawn & read ‘till bedtime. Been twice only to theatre & dived out ditto. I am now at the life of Goethe, by Lewes; we visited his house at Frankfort on Shakespeare’s birthday & straightway bought the memoir & I am deeply interested, but reading does me little good. I remember nothing. <hr /> Your account of Launt is a sad disappointment. I had a letter from him, shortly before I received yours, which was so full of his words and his old self that I thought he had got out of the rut he has been in so long: poor boy! I expect to hear of his death or [madness?] at any time. I wish I could give you as long & as interesting letters as you give me---but the process of writing is very difficult for me & I become muddled doing it---unable to put what few ideas I may have into form; so take me as I am. Met the over Rev. [Tying?] Jr. today, he wants me to breakfast with him. Pas de tout. I know I had a dozen things to tell you but can’t remember them---they are gone. Edwa tells me you have sold some pictures & have been jolly: good for Jervis! Our loves to your parents, Aunt [Said?] & all the dear ones. Ever yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/ff1f658fb0a086413f26c3542f70f25d.pdf 2ffcb6916a5fff3f81fd677e1577525e Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. (notation in pencil "18837"; top center of page 1) (notation in pencil "33"; top left-hand corner of page 1) May 21st London Dear Jervy - Since the receipt of your dispatches I have been in dread lest the news should reach Edwina - as yet she knows nothing, the blow will come soon enough. The first dispatch stunned me - but I concluded to wait a day & the next morning your second came (then in Paris) which relieved me. We arrived here last night & this morning your sad letter came and a paper (the [Iron, ?] I think) from some one else. The poor girl was cheerily packing in preparation for our departure next month - overhauling a great <hr /> number of trunks which require at least a weeks' work -- and I destroyed the paper quickly & hid yr. letter till I had a chance to read it privately. In a day or two she must know all about it, & I feel very writched about it. Of course You did what was right, but oh, if the publicity cd. have been avoided, if a day longer had been held in suspense till he came back. She begins to worry about the length of time since she heard from Downing -- I hope he has been able to write since his return. I long for another letter explaining his conduct & telling me he is all right. <hr /> I did not deem it wise to tell Edwina anything till I knew the worst -- for her health is not strong enough to stand the shock & till it is necefsary I shall keep the knowledge from her. I feared - when I learned that he was at office - work - that he could over - work his brain, and Edwina wrote to him on that subject; I dread now to think of the consequences of this affair. How will it end? Will his brain be ever restored? Who can tell! None of you seemed to see what was apparent to me before Edwina in great grief told me the sad change in him towards her, and consequently, you could not think it unsafe for him to do <hr /> anything that would tax his brain. It was natural, for he seemed to improve so rapidly. Poor fellow! I do hope that relief will come tomorrow or the next day. But what is to be the future of these two -- on whom we all set such hope! God help them! We are here only to get our things in order. I have taken the earliest pafsage pofsible & on the 9th we sail by the Gallia. God blefs you, Jervy. My dear love to all. Ever Yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 18 x 12 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300446 T1883.05.21-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1883-05-21 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth shares with Jervis McEntee that he has received disturbing news about Downing Vaux's health, and is hiding it from Edwina. He wonders, "Will his brain be ever restored? Who can tell." Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. (notation in pencil "18837"; top center of page 1) (notation in pencil "33"; top left-hand corner of page 1) May 21st London Dear Jervy - Since the receipt of your dispatches I have been in dread lest the news should reach Edwina - as yet she knows nothing, the blow will come soon enough. The first dispatch stunned me - but I concluded to wait a day & the next morning your second came (then in Paris) which relieved me. We arrived here last night & this morning your sad letter came and a paper (the [Iron, ?] I think) from some one else. The poor girl was cheerily packing in preparation for our departure next month - overhauling a great <hr /> number of trunks which require at least a weeks' work -- and I destroyed the paper quickly & hid yr. letter till I had a chance to read it privately. In a day or two she must know all about it, & I feel very writched about it. Of course You did what was right, but oh, if the publicity cd. have been avoided, if a day longer had been held in suspense till he came back. She begins to worry about the length of time since she heard from Downing -- I hope he has been able to write since his return. I long for another letter explaining his conduct & telling me he is all right. <hr /> I did not deem it wise to tell Edwina anything till I knew the worst -- for her health is not strong enough to stand the shock & till it is necefsary I shall keep the knowledge from her. I feared - when I learned that he was at office - work - that he could over - work his brain, and Edwina wrote to him on that subject; I dread now to think of the consequences of this affair. How will it end? Will his brain be ever restored? Who can tell! None of you seemed to see what was apparent to me before Edwina in great grief told me the sad change in him towards her, and consequently, you could not think it unsafe for him to do <hr /> anything that would tax his brain. It was natural, for he seemed to improve so rapidly. Poor fellow! I do hope that relief will come tomorrow or the next day. But what is to be the future of these two -- on whom we all set such hope! God help them! We are here only to get our things in order. I have taken the earliest pafsage pofsible & on the 9th we sail by the Gallia. God blefs you, Jervy. My dear love to all. Ever Yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/c5ea90a9f4fb260ebf3b18c619b93098.pdf 721e1f1372a1383f6a06d2fd2741bae8 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. Lyme July 16th ‘83 My Dear Jervy I intended to write you two days ago in order that my letter shd reach you by the post that carried Edwina’s to Downing, but I have deferred not knowing what to say. My dear friend all the bright visions of last year are melted into nothingness. After we left Rondout a settled sadness seemed to take possession of Edwina & I could see that she was very unhappy and wanted to speak of something that troubled her yet lacked strength to do so, at last, however, she relieved her heart by a relation of her feelings <hr /> and the terrible trial she has endured the past [few?] weeks---all of which she has written to Downing. She asked him to show the letter to his mother---to whom she also wrote a few lines. Bad as this misfortune seems for both of them how much worse, how terrible would be their fate were they married! I can talk with you of it better than I can write of it. Therefore, I’d best be brief, as Edwina’s letter/ wh I hope both you & your sisters will see / explains the case more clearly than mine could. But I must beg of you Jervy to reason with poor Downing, and make him realize how incapable he is, and may be for years, to assume the responsibity of marriage. <hr /> I can but think that the step Edwina has been induced to take, by her own terror of the probable misery her marriage with Downing would entail, will be a relief to him. The thought of it must surely have caused him much anxiety---afflicted as he is. I hope this sad termination of our hopes for them will not cast the least shadow on the affection that we all feel for each other, but that it will rather be strengthened by our common sorrow. Let this letter serve as one to all the immediate family whom we both love, for I can write no more on the painful subject--- nor has Edwina strength to do so; her letter to Downing cost her great suffering. The enclosed letters came after I had posted hers & I think she had better not see them, therefore I send them <hr /> to you. Downing shall ever have my fatherly affection & my assistance in any way that I can give it. Beg him for all our sakes to look at this painful episode as for the benefit of both, for the good of us all. I hope I shall see you very soon, but just now I cannot go to to Rondout as I promised and hoped to do. God bless you all, dear friends, and may you regard this change of our cherished plans as a blessing to our dear ones and not a misfortune. Write to me at New York, 36 East 20th where I will be next Monday & I may then be able to give you a more sensible letter---my wits have been in confusion these several days past. Your friend ever Edwin <hr /> In looking over what I have written I find that I neglected to say that I have long watched Edwina with anxiety & have had serious fears for her future, and for Downing’s too, & when she told me all that she had kept from me for fear of making me unhappy, I advised her to write at once to Downing and so save themselves from a life of unhappiness. His last conversation with me assured me that his affection now is that of a brother not a lover and I regretted afterwards that I did not <hr /> advise them both to end their engagement. Nor have I been without doubts regarding some future relapse and its fearful consequences. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 6 p 20 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300447 T1883.07.16-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1883-07-16 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth shares with Jervis McEntee that Edwina is very depressed because she has just written to Downing Vaux concerning her doubts about their relationship. Although Edwina initially withheld the information from her father, she recently updated him about Downing's mental health. Booth advised her to write to him immediately. From a postscript to the letter it sounds like the engagement has not been ended formally, but it is undergoing serious reevaluation, and may be headed towards an end. Booth said that he will continue to have "fatherly affection" towards Downing, but he wants to spare everyone a life of unhappiness that would result from dealing with Downing's mental illness. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. Lyme July 16th ‘83 My Dear Jervy I intended to write you two days ago in order that my letter shd reach you by the post that carried Edwina’s to Downing, but I have deferred not knowing what to say. My dear friend all the bright visions of last year are melted into nothingness. After we left Rondout a settled sadness seemed to take possession of Edwina & I could see that she was very unhappy and wanted to speak of something that troubled her yet lacked strength to do so, at last, however, she relieved her heart by a relation of her feelings <hr /> and the terrible trial she has endured the past [few?] weeks---all of which she has written to Downing. She asked him to show the letter to his mother---to whom she also wrote a few lines. Bad as this misfortune seems for both of them how much worse, how terrible would be their fate were they married! I can talk with you of it better than I can write of it. Therefore, I’d best be brief, as Edwina’s letter/ wh I hope both you & your sisters will see / explains the case more clearly than mine could. But I must beg of you Jervy to reason with poor Downing, and make him realize how incapable he is, and may be for years, to assume the responsibity of marriage. <hr /> I can but think that the step Edwina has been induced to take, by her own terror of the probable misery her marriage with Downing would entail, will be a relief to him. The thought of it must surely have caused him much anxiety---afflicted as he is. I hope this sad termination of our hopes for them will not cast the least shadow on the affection that we all feel for each other, but that it will rather be strengthened by our common sorrow. Let this letter serve as one to all the immediate family whom we both love, for I can write no more on the painful subject--- nor has Edwina strength to do so; her letter to Downing cost her great suffering. The enclosed letters came after I had posted hers & I think she had better not see them, therefore I send them <hr /> to you. Downing shall ever have my fatherly affection & my assistance in any way that I can give it. Beg him for all our sakes to look at this painful episode as for the benefit of both, for the good of us all. I hope I shall see you very soon, but just now I cannot go to to Rondout as I promised and hoped to do. God bless you all, dear friends, and may you regard this change of our cherished plans as a blessing to our dear ones and not a misfortune. Write to me at New York, 36 East 20th where I will be next Monday & I may then be able to give you a more sensible letter---my wits have been in confusion these several days past. Your friend ever Edwin <hr /> In looking over what I have written I find that I neglected to say that I have long watched Edwina with anxiety & have had serious fears for her future, and for Downing’s too, & when she told me all that she had kept from me for fear of making me unhappy, I advised her to write at once to Downing and so save themselves from a life of unhappiness. His last conversation with me assured me that his affection now is that of a brother not a lover and I regretted afterwards that I did not <hr /> advise them both to end their engagement. Nor have I been without doubts regarding some future relapse and its fearful consequences. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/3792a76f06934978d7ab3a31518ca9dd.pdf 22fab2daa1aa1c3e212c3c3fe767895d Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 36 42 East 25th St Octr : 22nd 1883 (?) Dear Jervis I am very glad to know how well & jolly you've been -- I am sick with bile & mad at the near approach of my work -- rehearsals begin this week. I send this while I have a chance merely to say that any time during this week or next, till Nov'r 2nd, I can receive the things -- if convenient to you, if not they can be kept till I return from Boston Dec'r 10th. On the list there are several <hr /> things already here - [illegible] : -- the Shakespeare plate, imitation bronze acorn & I think the 6 minture cups & saucers. There should be another bust - that of Angels & a pedestal, w'h I think are -- [your hall ?] the list merely mentions 'Eldin Booth'. Have seen no one since my arrival -- have been very busy all the time. Hope to see you soon. Have got your large oil in my parlor & it fits well though the rooms are very small. With love Your ever Jervis -- Don't remember the piano - cover, but no doubt we had it in Mad : Ave : flats. No account, anyhow. When you send the things please advise me in advance - the day of sailing & probable arrival here & name of pier or depot & direct them to me Central Safe Deposit Co 23rd St. & 6th Ave : E. B. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 3 p 21 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300448 T1883.10.22-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1883-10-22 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Although sick with bile and about to begin rehearsals, Edwin Booth writes a short note to Jervis McEntee to arrange for the shipment of some of his furniture to McEntee who has agreed to oversee the shipment. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 36 42 East 25th St Octr : 22nd 1883 (?) Dear Jervis I am very glad to know how well & jolly you've been -- I am sick with bile & mad at the near approach of my work -- rehearsals begin this week. I send this while I have a chance merely to say that any time during this week or next, till Nov'r 2nd, I can receive the things -- if convenient to you, if not they can be kept till I return from Boston Dec'r 10th. On the list there are several <hr /> things already here - [illegible] : -- the Shakespeare plate, imitation bronze acorn & I think the 6 minture cups & saucers. There should be another bust - that of Angels & a pedestal, w'h I think are -- [your hall ?] the list merely mentions 'Eldin Booth'. Have seen no one since my arrival -- have been very busy all the time. Hope to see you soon. Have got your large oil in my parlor & it fits well though the rooms are very small. With love Your ever Jervis -- Don't remember the piano - cover, but no doubt we had it in Mad : Ave : flats. No account, anyhow. When you send the things please advise me in advance - the day of sailing & probable arrival here & name of pier or depot & direct them to me Central Safe Deposit Co 23rd St. & 6th Ave : E. B. Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/86e248aafb41cfde77b3ed3abbd98815.pdf b0804673e29e0328af87f9ebb81fa525 Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 35 Parker's - Boston Novr. 11th '83 Dear Jervy - An excrutiating attack of dyspepsia -- from which I am not yet free -- alone prevented me from offering at once the sincere & cordial sympathy Edwina & I both feel for you all in your bereavement. Although the dear old Mother is released from suffering & you from great anxiety -- a painful void is made by her departure wh. never can be filled, and believe me, Jervy, we both appreciate the <hr /> lofs of her sweet presence. I cannot write you a letter for my disease renders me wretched & tis with effort that I scribble this. A doctor has been attending me ever since I began my rehearsals - before I left New York, and advises me not to act, but I must pull through somehow. Love to all. Ever Yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 2 p 20 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300450 T1883.11.11-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1883-11-11 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth expresses his condolences to Jervis McEntee over the death of McEntee's mother. Booth is unable to write a longer note or comfort Edwina because of his excrutiating dyspepsia (ulcer?). A doctor told Booth to keep from acting, but he will go on somehow. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 35 Parker's - Boston Novr. 11th '83 Dear Jervy - An excrutiating attack of dyspepsia -- from which I am not yet free -- alone prevented me from offering at once the sincere & cordial sympathy Edwina & I both feel for you all in your bereavement. Although the dear old Mother is released from suffering & you from great anxiety -- a painful void is made by her departure wh. never can be filled, and believe me, Jervy, we both appreciate the <hr /> lofs of her sweet presence. I cannot write you a letter for my disease renders me wretched & tis with effort that I scribble this. A doctor has been attending me ever since I began my rehearsals - before I left New York, and advises me not to act, but I must pull through somehow. Love to all. Ever Yours Edwin Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20 https://chroniclingillinois.org/files/original/02b0e74353aeb2f4059dc7ebe56eadf5.pdf 08eda772dcfe8dfb7f0731e50c14331d Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 37 42 East 25th St Dec 30 '83 Dear Jervy- I hate to bore you with my troubles, but you have so often & so frankly confided your griefs to me that I feel it a right I have to lay a part of my load on you & that you have a right to bear it. I wrote a firm but kindly letter to Downing which I hoped would rouse his self-respect and restrain him from further persecution, for such his conduct has become. In reply to mine he has written a disrespectful, silly & in a certain sense, threatening letter. His first attempt sufficiently shocked Edwina, she has been ill since, & <hr /> unfortunately I had to show her this half-lunatic epistle because she saw it first & recognized, of course, the writing. This has added to her distress for he declares he will see her & that she must have her share of pain. She is kept in constant dread lest he should accost her on the street or call, as he [did?], when he thinks I am out of the house. He says he knows he's cracked but that a brass rivet has been put in, that he is a better companion, can do perspective & 'photographic mounting' better & is altogether more of a man than ever. His letter & his questioning <hr /> Betty if Edwina still cares for him, if she liked anybody else, &c. &c, would convince any disinterested person of his demented condition, did not his unmanly conduct is thus destroying the peace of one whose happiness he should strive to enhance, by his silent acceptance of her decision, prove beyond all question that he is not himself. I have not answered his letter. I am too indignant with him---nor shall I notice it as I consider it the outcome of a disordered mind. 'Tis useless to reason with him & as you say I must deal with him personally I will be compelled to do so if he persists in his present course. <hr /> All the sympathy & respect his silence heretofore made Edwina feel for him is now converted to dislike and dread. You say you have no influence with him, but if you & his father let him know that you are aware of his indelicate & cruel behavior I think it may affect him, & spare me the painful duty of taking measures to restrain him. I naturally feel great anxiety on this subject but have repressed the angry emotions he aroused in me. I have been told that he carries a pistol & (as in the case of [Rathbane?]) he will in some sudden freak do something desperate. Forgive me for thus troubling you again on this topic, but I feel, as you have often felt, that I must give vent to what is disturbing me. Sincerely yours E Booth Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper and ink 4 p 21 x 13 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 300452 T1883.12.30-MISC Title A name given to the resource Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Booth, Edwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1883-12-30 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource pdf Description An account of the resource Edwin Booth unloads his worry and asks Jervis McEntee's assistance regarding Downing Vaux. Edwina has broken off the romance, but Downing is insisting to see her. Edwina is frightened by his behavior. Edwin is also concerned due to the fact that Downing wrote Edwin a threatening letter and is rumored to carry a pistol. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Language A language of the resource en Scripto Manages transcriptions of items and files Transcription A written representation of a document or a page. 37 42 East 25th St Dec 30 '83 Dear Jervy- I hate to bore you with my troubles, but you have so often & so frankly confided your griefs to me that I feel it a right I have to lay a part of my load on you & that you have a right to bear it. I wrote a firm but kindly letter to Downing which I hoped would rouse his self-respect and restrain him from further persecution, for such his conduct has become. In reply to mine he has written a disrespectful, silly & in a certain sense, threatening letter. His first attempt sufficiently shocked Edwina, she has been ill since, & <hr /> unfortunately I had to show her this half-lunatic epistle because she saw it first & recognized, of course, the writing. This has added to her distress for he declares he will see her & that she must have her share of pain. She is kept in constant dread lest he should accost her on the street or call, as he [did?], when he thinks I am out of the house. He says he knows he's cracked but that a brass rivet has been put in, that he is a better companion, can do perspective & 'photographic mounting' better & is altogether more of a man than ever. His letter & his questioning <hr /> Betty if Edwina still cares for him, if she liked anybody else, &c. &c, would convince any disinterested person of his demented condition, did not his unmanly conduct is thus destroying the peace of one whose happiness he should strive to enhance, by his silent acceptance of her decision, prove beyond all question that he is not himself. I have not answered his letter. I am too indignant with him---nor shall I notice it as I consider it the outcome of a disordered mind. 'Tis useless to reason with him & as you say I must deal with him personally I will be compelled to do so if he persists in his present course. <hr /> All the sympathy & respect his silence heretofore made Edwina feel for him is now converted to dislike and dread. You say you have no influence with him, but if you & his father let him know that you are aware of his indelicate & cruel behavior I think it may affect him, & spare me the painful duty of taking measures to restrain him. I naturally feel great anxiety on this subject but have repressed the angry emotions he aroused in me. I have been told that he carries a pistol & (as in the case of [Rathbane?]) he will in some sudden freak do something desperate. Forgive me for thus troubling you again on this topic, but I feel, as you have often felt, that I must give vent to what is disturbing me. Sincerely yours E Booth Status The current transcription status of a document or a page. Complete Percent Completed The percentage of pages with Completed status. 100 Weight A 6-digit number used to sort items quickly. 20