Letter from Grace Greenwood to John Greenleaf Whittier, January 5, 1885
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13 Via S. Juiseppe
Milan Italy
Jan 5th1885
Dear friend of old time.
I have been thinking very much of you, of late — and can no longer resist the desire to send you a line — if only to assure you that “I still live.” — It seems to me that I must hear from you once more directly — have a few words traced by your dear hand, once more. — I have within a few weeks past, read two accounts of you, in stray American papers — one in describing the dear old Amesbury home, gave the names of friends who had visited there — names given by you — and mine was not among them. I felt like poor ____ Adam — and yet I am sure I am not forgotten — if only though association with two good women, the latchets of whose shoes I was scarce worthy to loose — from Hussey Whittier — sister — I want be remembered by you. It seems and is so long since I have looked on your face — and so much has happened in that time! We have lost so many & such great friends, Sumner & Garrison and Phillips & Fields! Now William Henry Channing — I am lingering over here much longer than I intended when we last came over. My friends must believe me when I say that I have solid reasons for my self-exile. — My daughter’s education in music has been one interest — another has been my own health. I seem to be cured of my terrible old ailment — the spasmadic asthma — and yet I fear to go home, lest my old enemy pounce upon me again. — For the past five, or six year, I have however, been suffering much from nervous prostration — and cruel depression of spirits — So that I have been quite unable to do much writing — not enough sometimes for my own support, and had it not been for the generosity and direction of my bachelor-brother _____ Clarke, we should have come to grief, Annie & I, — though we are economical and can live inexpensively over here. Except, the cost of lessons in music & the language which we hope is “bread cast on the water”. — We live very quietly & studiously & our health is usually very good — though we have both had some serious illness.
Last summer in Paris I received a call from the editor of “Le Monde Poétique” who wished me to write an article for his review, on one of the American poets. I promised something in the way of a biographical criticism, on the Poet Whittier. But — then — we suddenly resolved to come down here where I have been dreadfully busy on other things — mostly nothings and I have found it impossible to find here any data for my article. Is there not in some magazine, a good biographical and critical sketch of you, with some extracts from your poems, and if so, can’t you send it to me? — If that enterprise Le Monde Poétique is still alive, which I doubt, I want to furnish the article!
Excuse this scrawl — executed while Annie was reading a magazine story aloud to a friend, a fellow-sinner, a mean singer!
With all good wishes & constant affection
Yours ever
Grace Greenwood
(S.J. Lippincott)