Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee

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Title

Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee

Description

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.

Creator

Booth, Edwin

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

1880-06-18

Format

pdf

Language

en

Identifier

300411
T1880.06.18-MISC

Transcription

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.


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!


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


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

Complete

Percent Completed

100

Weight

20

Original Format

paper and ink
4 p
21 x 13 cm

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