Has just that day been hired by the Pittsburgh Leader at $75 a month. To report next week. Has been writing stories, but must take this opportunity. Socializes too much in Pittsburgh, but can't resist [Emma] Calvé and [Sarah] Bernhardt. [Stout #42]
Is going to Philadelphia tomorrow. Will come to the Book and Play Club luncheon if she is back. Willa Cather [Stout #334]
Appreciates her interest in The Song of the Lark. Will plan on speaking at the luncheon on Wednesday. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #341]
Will come by hotel a little before noon and they can go see Lady Hamilton [painting at Frick Museum]. Aunt Willa [Stout #1390]
Just ordered a terrific Victor record from an agent: Gorgoza (Emma Eames's husband) singing "La Paloma," an important song in Mexico and one of Cather's favorites. "La Paloma" translates to "the dove," and the joyful song is about a prisoner watching a dove out his window and planning happy days of freedom ahead. Tell her if there is any problem with the record when it arrives. Will should listen to Julia Culp singing "Oh, Rest in the Lord" at the Victor store when he is in Red Cloud next. Willa
Saw Cape St. Vincent, Portugal, this afternoon, a place sacred to all with ties to England, and soon will see Trafalgar Bay, the site of Nelson's victory over Napoleon's navy. The sea floor here is covered with the skeletons of French, Spanish, and Italian sailors, thanks to Nelson. A British captain onboard commented that he thinks of Nelson's victory every time he passes this place. Is thinking of Nelson atop the column in Trafalgar Square, London, and his letter to Lady Hamilton [Nelson's mistress] in the British Museum, written the night before he died. "If Blood be the price of admiralty" [line from Rudyard Kipling's "Song of the Dead"]. Enjoys thinking of Nelson and the dead on the sea floor and the glory of the English navy and of his statue in Trafalgar Square protected by Landseer's lions, and the people's affection for Lady Hamilton. Wishes Roscoe could see these things with her.
