Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee

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Title

Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee

Description

Edwin Booth writes Jervis McEntee about his new surroundings in Saratoga. Booth expresses his love for McEntee's wonderful letters and regrets that his own are so barren and can afford no relief.

Creator

Booth, Edwin

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

1879-07-20

Format

pdf

Language

en

Identifier

300406
T1879.07.20-MISC

Transcription

10

Saratoga=July 20th ‘79

My dear Jervy-

My intention was to answer your letter the very day after its receipt, but one is no more master of his time than of his moods, you know, and I’ve been so whirled away by all sorts of careless, lazy nonsenses in this delightful loaferie that I’ve postively been unable to think of you---beyond wishing you were here with me. The absence of all dress & show, & the really homelike & jolly ease of our surroundings are utterly unlike any experience I’ve had of summer resorts, and I believe you would for awhile


be jolly too. There is just enough gayety (at a distance) to take you out of yourself---to make you all the more contentedly enjoy the temporarily deserted tenement. I have my gloomy moments tho’, even here, and can do as you do--- “shut myself up,” but I don’t keep me closed very long, for the fairy-like lights, illuminated fountains, music & gay troops of [others?], not yet so old as we, draw me out into a lighter atmosphere. I wish you would come here---if but for a few days---when you tire of


your present roost. We are not in the hotel proper, but have rooms in what is called a cottage---forming [one?] side of a grove & pretty lawn, where fountains & children play all day long. There’s no “bigod nonsense” about it, you know. There’s a something in the air, too, which seems to float you above the commonplace. If you’ll come we’ll do our best to let you alone, and soothe you with songs and pipes---Mary & I. I always love to hear from you, and almost fear to write to you,---because


your letters are so full of feeling, so full of yourself and mine are so barren; they can afford you no relief, no consolation, but do not therefore let them prevent you from easing your heart whenever you write to me---for all you say of yourself in your soul-loveliness is sacred and dearly welcome to me.

I have told you this before, and you believe it.

God bless you! Write often & come, if you will, where hearts full of welcome wait you.

Always your friend

Edwin Booth

Status

Complete

Percent Completed

100

Weight

20

Original Format

paper and ink
4 p
20 x 13 cm

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