A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

58 letters found

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To Elsie Cather,  April 26, [1908], from Naples; postcard showing quay at Naples ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of front of postcard showing quay at Naples, Italy
Front of postcard #1873

Send letters to New York office for forwarding. Postcard's colors are not overdone; the ocean is very purple. The tops of houses have trees and gardens on them.   W.S.C. 

To Mary Virginia Cather,  July 3, [1908], from Venice; postcard showing canal and Bridge of Sighs ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of postcard showing canal and Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy
Front of postcard #1874

Was out on the water and followed a group singing in their boat. Venice incredibly lovely; may never leave.   Willa 

To Edith McClung,  September 26, 1938 ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Understands anxiety about Isabelle and Jan in Italy, but it seems Mussolini is only forcing out Jewish people who are working jobs that Italians might fill (he does not share Hitler's fierce abhorrence of Jews). Since Jan is not taking any employment away from an Italian, he probably won't be bothered. Elizabeth Vermorcken, who is in Sorrento at the Hotel Cocumella, will likely cable if it gets dangerous. Recent note from Isabelle suggests she is comfortable in Italy, and she says that many Americans have been staying at the Cocumella, including Miss Overton of the New York Public Library. Will go see Miss Overton soon, and will write if she knows anything new about the Hambourgs.   Willa Cather 

To Edith McClung,  October 24, 1938 ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Apologizes for not cabling her when news of Isabelle's death arrived from Jan, but assumed he had cabled Edith as well. Received the news the same day that brother Roscoe was in critical condition after surgery. Was in a daze for most of a week. Went to the Lowell Hotel to avoid redecorators and wait for news. Jan ought to have written, but can't fault him for being preoccupied after Isabelle's death. Jan's correspondence about Isabelle's final days says she died with dignity and the attention of a local priest and nuns. Isabelle's final letter—written September 24—was brief but cheery and composed while she sat in the garden. All who saw her at the Hotel Cocumella says she remained distinguished and comfortable. Was planning to go to Sorrento last summer, but did not feel up to it after brother Douglass died. Edith must have known Isabelle did not have long to live. That was Cather's reason for going to France to see her so soon after she left New York—was told she might not survive a year and wanted to be near her. Isabelle withstood exhaustion and restrictive diet for years, and did not even know her kidneys were failing until she saw the doctors in New York. Probably was better that way; it would have been a burden to know that she was born with a fatal kidney defect. Though Jan is sometimes frustrating, he was an irreproachable spouse, and Isabelle treasured the way he cared for her. Isabelle also greatly appreciated Edith's visits to her in the New York hospital. Cannot imagine life without Isabelle in it. Please keep this letter confidential, as Isabelle would not want those who did not really love her—like some of her relatives—to know all this about her life. 

To Isabelle McClung,  July 14,1908, postcard showing H�tel Royal Danieli, Venice, Italy ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of postcard showing H�tel Royal Danieli, Venice, Italy
Front of postcard #1891

Saw a Titian and a Tintoretto at Santa Maria della Salute this morning. Really wants to keep the Bacchus and Ariadne for themselves. Has purchased different prints. Currently Isabelle is on the Atlantic!   W.S.C. 

To Elsie Cather,  May 4, 1908, postcard showing the Cappuccini Hotel in Amalfi, Italy, postmarked Ravello, Italy ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of postcard showing the Cappuccini Hotel in Amalfi, Italy
Front of postcard #1892

Lunched yesterday in this gorgeous place. Rested in the arbor after traveling 15 miles along the coast.   Willa 

To Elsie Cather,  June 16, 1908, postcard showing the Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of postcard showing the Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy
Front of postcard #1893

This is the unimpressive Tiber river with St. Peter's Basilica and Hadrian's tomb [now Castel Sant'Angelo]. Spent part of the day before in the Palace of the Caesars. The rooms are all taller than Red Cloud's standpipe. Had to take a day's rest after walking so much in Caesar's house last week.   W.S.C. 

To Elsie Cather,  July 8, 1908, from Venice, Italy, on postcard with an impressionistic painting of Venice ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of postcard with an impressionistic painting of Venice, Italy
Front of postcard #1912

Isabelle left for Genoa the day before and sails for the U.S. soon. She herself will leave in two weeks on the K�nigin Louise and will be in New York on August 6. Thought of staying two extra weeks in Venice, but is now feeling too lonesome.   Willie 

To Elsie Cather,  July 15, 1908, from Venice, Italy, on postcard with a painting of a gondola on a Venetian canal ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of postcard with a painting of a gondola on a Venetian canal, Venice, Italy
Front of postcard #1913

Postcard shows the Rialto Bridge where Shylock and Antonio met. Will take a train to Lake Como soon and spend time there and in Milan. Is looking forward to sailing for home.   Willie 

To Elsie Cather,  July 21, 1908, from Lake Como, Italy, on postcard showing Lake Como ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of front of postcard of Lake Como, Italy
Front of postcard #1914

Is leaving these beautiful places and will soon go to Genoa and, from there, sail to New York, where work awaits. Hard to leave Italy for a long crossing, but will be relaxed on the fine ship. Won't see lovely cypress trees again for some time.   Willie 

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© 2004-2019, Willa Cather Archive. Andrew Jewell, editor. Updated July 2019. The Willa Cather Archive is freely distributed by the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. UNL Logo