A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

88 letters found

Search parameters

next

Results 1-10:

To Mrs. Alice E. D. GoudyMay 3, [1908], from Naples, ItalyWCPM 

Has just returned from a week in the Apennines. Spent two days in Pompeii and is enjoying the Pompeiian collection at the Naples Museum, also the beautiful Bay of Naples. The classical world seems close at hand. Has regained enough Latin to read Tacitus and Suetonius. Remembers seeing a picture of the bust of Caesar in a textbook when Mr. Goudy was her teacher, and now has seen it at the museum. Farmers working their fields just as in Virgil's Georgics. Goes on to Rome next week.   Willa   [Stout #137]


To S. S. McClureApr. 22, [1912], from Winslow, Ariz.Indiana 

Will be glad to assist with autobiography. Is enjoying her trip, especially seeing pueblos and cliff dwellings. A wonderful part of the world. Planning to see a Moki [Hopi] snake dance and go into Mexico with Douglass. News of the Titanic is shocking.   Willa Cather   [Stout #222]


To Elizabeth Shepley Sergeant,  n.d. [early 1913? per E. S. S. note] , from no. 5 Bank Street, New YorkPM 

Has been getting settled in the new apartment, including floors being painted. Thanks for the Christmas present. Has been hearing a lot of music. New book twice as long as Alexander. Has taken her themes from the long grass, as Dvořák did in the New World Symphony (which was not made from Negro songs as people say). Nervous about the new story, though it is just what she has been wanting to write. Probably very few people will like it.   Willa Cather   [Stout #250]


To Dorothy Canfield FisherMar. 15, [1916?]UVt 

The Song of the Lark was fun to write, but shows carelessness. Cut out several chapters set in Germany to keep it focused on the Moonstone perspective. They would have spoiled the unity. A few negative reviewers have wished it were a tragedy rather than a success story. The title is a weakness, it's true. Hasn't been up to starting a new book this winter, with Judge McClung's death, the closing of the house, and prospect of Isabelle's marriage [April 3, 1916]. Doesn't get along well with Jan Hambourg. Loss of Isabelle is a severe one. Also, Annie Fields died last winter. So much misery in the world in general, with the war. Wishes they could have a long talk.   Willa   [Stout #351]


To Elizabeth Shepley Sergeant,  n.d. [prob. 1916] , first page and possibly last page missing ; UVa 

Isabelle's marriage still hard to accept, but the world looks brighter now. Is enjoying being with Roscoe and his wife in the mountains. Glad that Elsie is working well on her book. Will be in Red Cloud by the end of August. Recommends she go to Taos, though there is a good dude ranch near here in Wyoming.   [Stout #364]


To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc]Nov. 11, [1918]UNL-Ray 

Thinking of her on this day of peace. For the first time in all history the sun rose on a world without monarchies. A fulfillment of Ralph Waldo Emerson's prediction that God would one day say He was tired of kings. Wishes Grosvenor had lived to see it, but he is now God's soldier, as the line in Macbeth says. The old is gone for good. Now more than ever the flag belongs in churches.   Willie   [Stout #440]


To Elizabeth Shepley Sergeant,  [at American Hospital in Paris] Dec. 3, [1918], from New YorkPM 

Shocked by the news of her accident. Must have been very painful and the explosion shocking. Is seeing a lot of returning soldiers and having some to her apartment for dinner. Ours are nicer than other countries' soldiers. So glad she likes Ántonia. Her own feelings about it have vacillated. Terrible how many American soldiers died in training camps [in influenza epidemic]. Do come home to recover, then go back to France to get back to work. What a strange world!—with Germany expecting relief first.   Willa S. C.   [Stout #443]


To Sinclair LewisApr. 14, [1921], from TorontoBeinecke 

Thanks for the kind things he said about her in his Omaha lecture. He is the kind of person whose respect matters.   Willa Cather   [Stout #539]


To Ferris GreensletJuly 30, [1921], from TorontoHarvard 

Hopes there will be copies of her books available when she lectures in Chicago, Omaha, and Lincoln in September. Has he seen the current Nation?   W. S. C.   [Stout #548]


To Ferris GreensletAug. 26, [1921], from TorontoHarvard 

Will lecture in Omaha October 29. Has cancelled Chicago lecture. "Claude" won't be out until this time next year.   W. S. C.   [Stout #550]


next