Sorry she used such a foolish title. Hasn't seen Francis Hill lately. Will pay for however much ginger ale he can drink, though not a popular choice in New York. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #177]
Always glad to help make Sarah Orne Jewett's work better known. Won't be back to New York until December. Review Mr. [DeWolfe] Howe spoke about was in Literary Review of the New York Evening Post. Willa Cather [Stout #839]
Plans to write a short critical study of Jewett in the next year or so, but that won't prevent his doing so. Suggests he approach Mary Jewett and Dr. Eastman, as well as Ferris Greenslet. Only letters to her from Jewett that she wishes to make public are in the Fields edition. Willa Cather [Stout #867]
Has received a copy of America with his review of Archbishop; is pleased by his understanding of what she was doing. Prefers to call it a "historical narrative," though publisher refers to it as a novel because the public understands that term. Glad he realizes purpose was to celebrate the lives of two men of real nobility and their relationship with a place. The story really lay in their engagement with that place. P.S.: Would appreciate his sending her another copy of the journal, to send to her father. Willa Cather [Stout #904]
The book cannot make sense to a reader who does not know the area. Willa Cather [Stout #918]
International Mark Twain Society has voted My Ántonia a silver medal, but must go to St. Louis to receive it. She might enjoy reading enclosed report done for the Society. Please don't show people in Red Cloud who are spiteful or would gape at Annie Pavelka to see how dissimilar Ántonia is. Why won't people believe fiction is not a direct portrait of real people? "Two Friends" not about Mr. Miner and Mr. Richardson, but the emotional response to them felt by a child. It recreates a memory. Similarly, Ántonia sums up emotions about immigrant people she knew there. Mr. Sadilek's suicide was the first thing she heard about upon arriving in Nebraska. Her fiction has always been a precise representation of her feelings, never faked or exaggerated feeling. P.S.: Enjoyed seeing Irene when she was in New York. Willie [Stout #1214]
Cannot read his last name. That young man's book about Sarah Orne Jewett is very poor, and manners offensive. Appreciates his telling her the incident about Mary Jewett. Dr. Eastman, Jewett's nephew, kept her posted after Mary Jewett's stroke. Willa Cather [Stout #1241]
Please convey greetings to Bishop and Mrs. George Beecher on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his consecration as bishop. Wishes she could be there on November 30. He has affected the lives of many people. [Stout #1277]
Does not lecture anymore, so must refuse his invitation. Has been meaning to write an extended letter to him about his book, which she read closely. Concurs with him generally, but feels he inflates the importance of many of the New York critics. Only Randolph Bourne and, to a degree, Mr. Canby had the essential innate sense of quality needed by critics. Consider, for example, Stuart Sherman (nothing personal to Sherman, as he always treated her well), who did not have such a sensibility. He could research a writer and say many valid things about him or her, but it was an external product of scholarship. To put it another way: if she mixed up a few pages of Nigger of the Narcissus with some of Joseph Conrad's respectable imitators (like Francis Brett Young), Sherman wouldn't know the difference. A critic must be more than idealistic and hardworking. In fact, a good deal of first-rate criticism was done by non-professional critics like Henry James, Walter Pater, and Prosper Mérimée (particularly his essay on Gogol). Not all good writers are good critics; Turgenev was not. That said, writers are the best at evaluating new writing and composers are the top critics of new music, or at least they are better than scholars. Since she wants to say this and so much more, she knows that his book was successful, as a reader's fierce engagement with a book's ideas is always a mark of accomplishment. P. S.: [dated January 20] After writing letter, was asked not to send it by secretary, who thought it would needlessly offend people. Secretary is now on vacation in Cuba, and has decided to risk sending it. Feels that he won't be indiscreet with the letter, even to his talkative publisher. Willa Cather
Wants to update her on her life lately: just arrived after a rough overseas journey. Edith was quite ill and had to enter a hospital to get a growth on her shoulder removed after they arrived. Thankfully it was benign and she is now on the road to recovery. Has a temporary housekeeper since beloved Josephine returned to France with her family. Her husband is in poor health and wanted to end his days in his native village in the Pyrenees. Josephine, who was with them twenty years, is a wonderful cook, but also one of the great friends of her life. Is glad she is back in her home country, but misses her terribly. Did send a letter to Dean Lee [of St. Mark's Pro-Cathedral] for the anniversary of the Bishop, though he wasn't very polite in his invitation, and might not choose to read it at the dinner. The Dean seems unhappy with both the Bishop and herself. Would like to write a sincere letter to the Bishop, for she respects him tremendously. In both appearance and character, Bishop Beecher is just right. Please share her deep feelings with him, as she is shy about doing it. Willie
