BLACKWELL FAMILY ALICE STONE BLACKWELL General Correspondence PeNote address 59 West 89 St. New York Dec. 26. '27 My dear Alice: I read of your being in New York and went to the Waldorf later hoping to see you but they said you had gone home. You are lucky to have one to go to. I am in a different place every year, continually on the move, packing to go away and to leave things in storage, for the summer in Prov. where a brother leaves me the house when he goes away, or to make a trip to South America or elsewhere. If you ever come here again I wish you would let me know.I am wondering who John T. Blackwell is. Did you adopt someone? It is a very good thing to do. He certainly prints very well. I sent no cards myself. Have been frightfully busy the last year or two revising my "Industrial & Commercial So. America" which came out last March. Highly praised but small sale. Few read anything worthwhile. How any one can think people are better I can't see. The century old lady upstate evidently doesn't know. The immorality and crime is astonishing, increased by present dress. I hear that girls, young ladies, go to buy gowns with not a rag of underwear above stockings, save butt protectors. I expected some lowering of morality among women with the urging of an equal standard but it has gone farther than I thought it would. But there will be a reaction in time. The men will demand it. What would the old suffragists, your mother think? They might wish they had never worked for equality. Kindest regards and best wishes and hoping to see you some day. If you know anyone who wants a lecture remember me. Ever sincerely yours. Annie S. Peck.Annie S. Peck Not a Question of Sex Mar 12, 1906 Editors Woman's Journal While looking over some old copies of the Journal, I came upon a notice of the case of State vs. Woodrow in the Journal of February twenty fourth of this year. May I suggest that the article conveys an erroneous impression? The wife's incompetency to testify against her husband in a criminal case does not rest upon the ground of her sex. Had the facts been reversed, that is had the wife shot the child in the arms of her husband, the same rule of law would have rendered him incompetent to testify against her, and she, in like manner, would have (over) Eliz. Hauser(over) (2) escaped justice. This rule of the incompetency of married persons to testify against one another rests on the legal theory that the two are one. It is thought that the confidence and security of the marriage state would be lessened if either party knew that the other could testify against him about confidences that had occurred between them. The restriction "is looked upon as a matter of public policy. For the sake of preventing discord in families and of identifying the interests of married persons." Whether this theory of the law is a good one is another question. All I mean to point out is that it is not a one sided rule, directed solely against the wives. Yours sincerely Edith Peck65 GSt. S. Boston, Jan 18, 18 Dear Miss Blackwell- On coming home from school this noon I was surprised to find "Armenian Poems" and "The Stratford Journal" both here so quickly. I am writing now just to acknowledge both, and to thank you very gratefully for the poems. The "Stratford Journal" I will return safely when I have read it. And I will write you later about eirceAlso I'm enclosing you an essay (written before the war) under my own name, and two out of a long series of poems published since the war. "Peter Pan", I hope you will like for Mrs. Spofford's sake. He was the dearest little kitten imaginable, and died just a day or two before the death of her sister Mrs. Mosely. I did not go up to see Mrs. Spofford last night, but left a note. They said she was very much better. Don't return my poems, as I have other copies. the pleasure I know I shall find in your poems, and also in the other. I wrote to my dear friend Nora Smith in New York last night to get all the information about Spanish poetry that I could for you. This morning one of my boys mailed your beads, that I hope will reach you safely. I chose the prettiest string I had, I thought, as the rhythmical stringing of the white beads brings out the other colors. These are my own manufacture - magazine beads, literally. "Indian beads", ideally!~I am the owner of a most interesting mss. that I should like to have you see one day, dealing with the "Lincoln Funeral March", played everywhere at the death of Lincoln. Its author, Mrs. Parkhurst, now very elderly, and now Mrs. Duer, wrote the mss. She has given it to me, and I read it last year to Mrs. James, widow of Professor Wm. James, and Dr. Troland of the Harvard Psychich Research department. You may possibly have a copy of the march among old music. I'm sorry that I have no translations to send you, but excepting a few verses of Bécquer that I did hastily the other day, I have no recent ones. I should have done that Christmas one of Rubén Darío, had I approved. Again, I thank you for your great kindness. Most sincerely yours, Bertha469 Fourth Street S. Boston Dec. 29, '19. Dear Mrs. Blackwell Thank you for your cards, and poems- Always so truly translated in word and thought- and in your note to-day. I do hope that you are better. I have just mailed you an invitation for Presidents Day at the Mattapannock Club and if you feel like beingamused by that time, I do hope you will come. Every good New Year wish to you! Most sincerely, Bertha Pierce I really mean the little butterfly pin just to fasten him on to a curtain or piece of lace, where he flutters beautifully! We used some like them for favors at a party. B.P. Bertha Pierce '19 469 Fourth Street, S. Boston Sept. 22, '20 Dear Miss Blackwell - You must have having a splendid time to-night at the rejoicing meeting. And I wish that I might have been there. But my mother is now a helpless and permanent invalid and I rarely leave South Boston at all. except Saturdays. I want to thank you very much for the magazine that came to me the other day with your article on "The Women of Chile" I have not read it, in the hurry of these stays but have it in reserve for to-morrow When I have a little extra time. I do hope that you are feeling better than when I last heard from you, and that all is well. Very sincerely, Bertha Peirce 469 Fourth Street S. Boston 27, 4/5/21 Dear Miss Blackwell- I am so sorry to trouble you again about "The Constitution of Mexico," but my friend Miss Smith is a little anxious about it as the friend who gave it to her, a Mexican ambassador, is now exiled, and cannot getlong illness and death. I will send it on. The death of Annie Louise Cary brings to me vividly my childish days when I admired her pictures intensely but was considered to young to be taken to hear her sing. Later, about ten years ago, I was fortunately enough to meet her, and admired her very much. A friend of mine has just been singing "Birds in the Night" at an OId Folk's Concert, that Sir Arthur Sullivan wrote for Miss Cary. I am still very busy, owing to my mother's long illness and closely confined to South Boston, but try to another. She wrote me about it last night, and I said I would ask you again, though I have a very strong feeling that it may have been lost in the mail. Certainly all things do not come to hand as they should! If by any chance it is still with you, if you will mail it to me, I shall be very grateful, as Miss Smith is moving around a little uncertainly just now, and is much exhausted by her mother'skeep a little in touch with the thought of the world outside. Every good wish to you! Sincerely and faithfully yours Bertha Peirce Bertha PeircePierce 65 G. St., S. Boston Jan 19, 1918. Dear Miss Blackwell, I'm beginning this to-night, to finish, later, when I have read more of your Armenian translations. I doubt it you know how little I know about the Spanish American writers, excepting Ruben Daria! I know mostly the European Spanish. S these poems that you send are all entirely new. I have enjoyed them very much, and shall he delighted to see the others, if you come across them. Najaras, "Pax Animae" impressed me greatly. The singing rhythm of his Spanish (Iwhen suddenly she saw a service, and heard the wonderful choir. Speaking of it to the friend with her, she found that there had been no service, no choir. They had sat in the church quietly for half an hour or so, and nothing had happened. Later I put this into a poem, published in the "Living Church" I think. This is practically the incident of Urbina's poem, of which I never heard until I saw your translation. I also liked Valensuela's "A Song of Hands" but I think I lost my heart wholly to Chocano's original, vital, and unusual conceptions. "The Magnolia" is beautiful and "The Andres", "The Condor" and those South American animals, their true spirits, perpetuated in verse. I'm not sure that I shouldn't like him best of all, thought my first choice would be Najera, just now. make a veritable fetish of singing rhythm) was exquisite. How you reproduce the thought so perfectly without the typical grammatical foundation is a marvel! I liked his "Dead Waves," especially, also. I wish there had been more of his. Urbina's color brilliancy and vivid picturing were wonderfully brought out in your rendering. They scintillated. It seemed to me these I liked specially the last verse of "The Lake" and "The Last Sunset." "The Moonbeam" struck me as singularly original - out of the type forms. "The Mass at Dawn" surprised me. Twenty years or more ago, a friendly acquaintance of mine, a most quiet, prosaic woman, told me of sitting in an old cathedral abroad, Pathetic and stirring as they are, you have certainly given them justice to our ears. Surely they are the heart-moving songs of a nation. I know how much I shall have liked them when I have finished. In the introduction I noticed with much interest the blood red flower that springs from the blood of the Christians on the battlefield of old. Do you know one of my favorite Spanish stories, Emilia Pardo Barsan's "El Talisman?" La mandragora es una raiz que tiene la forma de un negrito, y viene de al sangre de los ajusticiados, tiene las cualidades magicas. Here, in old Spain, is the Armenian legend. That I've not seen elsewhere, either. Do you know Julia de Asensi's stories? I like them immensely, especially "La casa donde murió," with its tremendously mystical and Spanish atmosphere. Now I want to get the Bécquer legends. I love legends! (Mon. P.M.) Your package of Echegaray was mailed this morning, and should be with you now. A card from Nora Smith says that she thinks at Brentano's 5th Ave. & 24th St., they could tell you much, as they keep in complete touch with everything. She suggests Chocano, not knowing (I had not rec'd your papers when I first wrote) how much you have done with him.N.A.S. didn't have my letter asking about her special Golondrina when she wrote, but I shall probably hear where to get that later. She is getting ready to give six lectures on "The Art of Story Telling," in N.Y. to begin Feb. 2nd. No, my Lincoln Funeral March is a mss, not the March itself - the history for the March. It is an unusual and remarkable document and I think you would enjoy it. I don't know whether it will ever be published or not. I should like to see it done in the author's lifetime, but that is very doubtful. Do you know the Book, "Songs of the Pyrenees," that Ditson I think, publishes? My boys learned a pretty little "Holy Night" in Spanish this year that I will copy for you. Miss Solano was giving us a course of Spanish, in Spanish, including folk lore and folk songs, but the lack of coal has broken it up until spring. Perhaps then you would like to come in to a lecture or two? I think it could be arranged, if you would enjoy it.Bertha Peirce To-day I showed your Armenian translations at school, and several people want to borrow the book. I have told them that they may, when I finish it myself. The poem you enclose, "Slings," from Dario is fine! I showed that, too. I want to keep your Spanish poems long enough for our Spanish teacher, Dorothy Connolly, to read, then I shall mail them to you, for I know how hard it is to replace mss of that kind, and I don't want them to run any chance of missing a safe return to you. I thank you for all your kindness. Most Sincerely, Bertha Pierce 532 Broadway S. Boston Feb 23, 19 Dear Miss Blackwell, Again I thank you very much! I liked "Evocation" especially, and your rendering did it full justice. It is tremendously poetical and psychical. I have seen several interesting articles and picture about you lately, and congratulate you in the pleasure you must have in your guest. Most sincerely yours, Bertha PeirceBertha Peirce 19 Bertha Peirce 65 G St., S. Boston Feb. 4, 1918 My dear Miss Blackwell- I have enjoyed these poems thoroughly, and return them. First, let me ask you if you mean for me to keep the Stratford Journal that you sent me, with your article on Urbina. That was among the first that you gave to me, but itYou have given me much pleasure, in every way. It has also been a real delight to feel that I know you a little. Oh what weather! I hope that you are getting through it unscathed. I am very anxious bout Mrs. Spofford. I have not heard since the day I called, when I saw you, and I usually hear every two or three weeks. I'm afraid that her improvement may have only been temporary. She was very, very frail the last time I saw her, and said that her feet were refusing to obey her will. Even in the house she was absolutely new, and I was not quite sure. I shall be delighted to retain it, but if you wish it, don't hesitate to say so, and I will forward it at once. I do admire Dario so much, when he is merely brilliant! What a pity that he has to be ultra French and disreputable and unbearable, like du Maupassant, whom I also greatly admire in spots.only walked with difficulty. She spoke, too, of the Bible, where it spoke of the sorrows of the man who lives beyong the allotted three score and ten. "It is all true," she said. I've just been writing a new poem "Chicken and Corn Pone" for the need of the times! Surely whatever I can find that will interest you in our line, I will send. And I hope that I may again have the pleasure of seeing you before long. Most sincerely yours Bertha Peirce Director: We teach Commercial, Social Dr. Miguel A. Pena S. and Classical Spanish, French Day and Evening Instruction and Italian The Spanish, French and Italian School Native Teachers COLONIAL BLDG., 100 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MASS 12 Junio de 1928 Tel. Liberty 0207 Senorita Dona Alice Stone Blackwell Boston, Massachusetts. Mi muy estimada Senorita Blackwell: Me is muy placentero acusar a usted recibo de su muy apreciable carta, fechada el 11 del mes en curso, la cual acabo de recibir. Con muchisimo gusto he traducido los parrafos instertados en su carta acerca de la beroica accion de la chilena, Dona Mer- cedes Marin de Solar, los que acompano a la presente, Con respecto al significado o forma en que esta usaded la expre- sion "de larga fama", en el poema denominado "Santos Vega", del argen- tino Rafael Obligado; me permito decirle a usted que la palacra "lar- ga"esta usada en este caso em una forma muy hipotetica y que, por lo tanto, envuelve los dos significados al mismo tiempo, es decir, duracion y extesion. Ademas, la existencia del uno en el sentido li- terario y etimologiuco del vocablo presupone la del otro. Sinembargo, el sentido de duracion tiene mas enfasis que el de extension, en este caso. Eestoy viendo si me es posible presentar la noche del 28 de los corrientes, un programa un poco bueno, un programa un poco variado y tipicamente latinamericano, aunque lo dudo mucho porque son muy pocas las personas que he podido encontrar apropiadas para esto, por la premura del teimpo y por lo contados que son los latinamericanos residentes en Boston. Yo confio en que usted se dignara cooperar con- migo en esta ocasion y que recitara unos poemas de escritores hispano- americanos. Si tuviese el honor y la fortuna de obtener de usted esta deferencia, tenga la bondad de comunicarme a primera oportunidad los titulos de ellos, para insterarlos en los programas. Tambien desearia saber si usted podria hablar unos diez minutes acerca de los medios mas eficientes para la comprension y estable amistad entree las dos Americas. Tenga la amabildad de perdonar la molestiq que me permito motivarle y aceptar mi sincera consideracion y aprecio. De usted muy atento y seguro servidor, Miguel A. Pena S. Removed to 129 Newbury Street Boston, Mass. Tel. Kenmore 5505 We make translations from any of the Romanic languages into English or vice versaMIGUEL ANTONIA PENA (DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY AND LITERATURE) 129 NEWBURY STREET BOSTON, MASS. TEL.. KENMORE 5505 12 de Febrero de 1930 Mi muy estimada Senorita Blackwell: Con gran placer he leido su carta del 9 del mes un curso, y cuanto agradezco a usted la sincera simpatia que exterioriza en ella por la America Latina y su profundo disgusto por la precaria situacion de los paises del sur del contiente. Sus ideas o proyectos no solo me parecen indispensables y utiles, sino tambien nobles y bellos. Deseo tener el gusto de verla y tratar personalmente estos topicos, pero como yo estoy bastante ocupado y como usted esta tambien siempre muy ocupada, muchas veces me he abstenido de hacerlo, temiendo interrumpirle a usted en sus importantes labores. Le agradeceria mucho que me dijese que noches o que noche de cada semana sera mas oportuno para usted que yo la vistase, previo anuncio por telefono. La manera como yo le hable a usted en mi ultima visita para presentarle un cuadro real y vivo de la situacion politica, economica y social de algunas secciones de la America Latina y de las causas que originan tal condicion, prueba a usted, de manera evidente, la sincera amistad y gran apreciacion que tengo de usted, de su noble labor y del merito de sus incesantes esfuerzos para combatir la injusticia, la mentira, el crimen y para llevar la luz a los que solo ven el fin de la vida y lost destinos de la humanidad condensados en este draconiano principio: "Engana y cogete lo que puedas de tu hermano inocente y debil, pero conserva a toda costa lo que te cojas". Oportunamente dire a usted el resultado de la carta que usted tuvo la bondad de revisar y corregir. Con mis mejores deseos por el feliz coronamiento de sus ideales y esperando que goce de salud y bienestar, soy de usted Muy afectisimo amigo, Miguel Antonio Pina S.Dr. Pena Sanchez O'Brien Oregon Nov 16, 1935 My Dear Alice Stone Blackwell. This letter should have been written years ago. I bought your "Some Spanish-American Poets" when I was in the Argentine, May 1931. You have given me these years of pleasure. I read the Spanish Poems with several Argentine school teachers. They always ask to take the books home for their own reading. They always expressed gratitude for the completeness of your selection. "It is better than any thing we have done our selves" they vowed. If you read the Woman's Missionary Friend you will know how your posts have helped me in telling of the International Highway story. I hope this year of missionary educational interest in So America will stimulate a new sale of your Poets. I am persuaded that sympathetic appreciation and understanding among out own U.SA folk for So American people and their culture is worth many times more than most missionary projects. Thank you for the hours of pleasure for happy companionship with Romantic Poets Sincerely, (Miss) Winnogene Cecilia PenneyCASA ESPANOLA MIDDLEBURY, VERMONT 3-Monadnock-St., July 27, 1931. Miss Alice Stone Blackwell. My dear Miss Blackwell: You must have thought that I am a most ungrateful person, since I did not thank you for your kindness in dedicating a volume of your precious book to me. I have been patiently waiting for a moment of peace in order to write to you, but, alas, I know it will not come until after the summer is over. Gabriela feels very happy here. She says in a very long time she had not felt so much spiritual and physical strength in herself. She mentioned your loviggly the other day, and she said she appreciated what you had done with her poems, Her class in Spanish American Literature is a very interesting one, but exceedingly difficult. She requires too much work from the students. The result has been that many are only listening to the course, and not planning to take the examinations. I have heard her lectures on Spanish America and her problems, and one on Mexico, the best report on this republic that I have ever heard, or read about. This has been a terrific day. I wonder whether your weather in Massachussets has been as hot. One of my students fell wil heat prostration yesterday, and two others were weakened to the point where they had to retire to their beds. And if this happens in Middlebury I wonder how hot New York must be. Of course we always have very cool and agreeable nights, and that helps. I pray you to be indulgent with my English. It is worse than ever, on account of the fact that I must not speak that language while the students are here. Thank-you once more for the treasure you ssent me. I have placed it with all my precious booksautographed by Concha Espina, Ibarbourou, Zorrilla de San Martin, and many others. Please feel that I shall know and appreciate your poems----for they are partially yours. Very cordially, Alemento Pereda Alemento Pereda PERUVIAN EMBASSY WASHINGTON, D.C. March 15th., 1938. Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Mass. Dear Madam: In reply to the inquiry contained in your letter of the 12th. instant, I beg to inform you that General don Ernesto Montagne is the Peruvian Minister of Education, and his address Lima, Peru. Yours faithfully, M. de Freyre S M. de Freyre y Santander. PERUVIAN EMBASSADOR Education PeruMISS FRANCES PETERS 50 WEST 67TH STREET NEW YORK CITY Dear Miss Blackwell Please send to above name and address the book of Armenian poems translated. I enclose $1.10 for forwarding. I try to touch people with these poems which are lovely- You have done so much in making this translation. Sincerely F. Peters I want to give them to a friend sailing for France on Dec 23- so am a little late in writing but there is time if forwarded now. Dec.14 Francis PetersJEROME A. PETITTI 6420 JOHN A. DI PESA 6421 TELEPHONES HUBBARD 6422 PHILIP MONDELLO 6423 JOHN SANTORO 6424 6425 PETITTI & DI PESA 6426 ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW 18 TREMONT STREET BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, March 26, 1929. Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, 3 Monadnock Street, Upham's Corner, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. Dear Madam:- I am enclosing herewith two brief biographies of Ignacio A. Pane and Alejandro Guenos. This is the best that I could do under the circumstances. I sincerely hope that this is satisfactory and I am glad to have been of service to you. Sincerely yours, Jerome A. Petitti Consul for Paraguay JAP:LC ENCLS. 2. Jerome A. PetittiRoute I, Dayton, Wash. May 22nd, 1928. Alice Stone Blackwell, Massachusetts, Dear Friend of the Persecuted. I am typing letters for Gene Barnett of the State prison, Walla, Walla as he can only write one letter a week. I live on a small stock ranch in the Blue Mts 40 miles from Walla Walla. The book he has made is real artistic, made the drawings and verses himself. I enclose also, postcard of one of his verses, music by C. Dial, who was member of the Prison Comfort Club, living near Seattle, died of cancer several years ago. Also enclose leaflet of the Centralia Case, put out by the Centralia Publicity Committee, Elmer Smith Secretary, 717 Tower Ace, Centralia Wash. Massachusetts has its Sacco-Vanzetti. Our Washington state has its Centralia Case. My paternal ancestor came from Massachusetts, very liberal in his views, 1850. Have felt ashamed for the Daughters of Revolution, their decay of mind is so sinister, on a level with the tories of '76, that my ancestors helped run out of New England. Hoping you will write a letter to our governor Roland Hartley, Capital, Olympia, Wash. right away before the June Parole Board meets at the state Pentiary in June. The trade Unions of Seattle, Wash are after the governor to pardon the Centralia victims then. The Centralia Secretary, and Assistant Sectary of the Centralia Publicity Committee, are putting up a petition also, to the governor for their release. Most of the people of Centralia are signing the petition, except some of the labor slaves are'nt signing, for fear of losing thier jobs, and the business men are afraid of a boycott by the American Legion and the Chamber of Commerce of that town. Political situation look bad, does'nt it? Hoover and Al Smith both backed by Wall Street. Town ring of this county sent delegates for Lowden, but Wall Street will put its candidates on both old parties, for the ignorant voters to elect. We live in a cycle of decay now, and can only hope for a new cycle of progress to arise soon. Wall street has complete control of the political machiniary of both old parties, ably assisted by the Chamber of Commerce rings in each town and city. The elder LaFollette made a good start in 1924, with five million progressive votes. His son lacked his great mind and was more interested in getting committee appointments that working up a greater Progressive Party, and the American Federation of Labor Leaders and reactionary farm leaders sell labor and farmer to the Wall Street political machines each election. The Socialists have a good platform this year, but propaganda will be put out by the tons, as usual, to scare the voters, whose minds have been retarded by the Educational Trust, so guess we have to lay the blame for the feeble minds of our population on our educators, editors, authors, etc, who have sold thier brains to the Educational Trust and Wall Street, to keep the masses in ignorance for international bankers to exploit. All we get out of life is experience, and we sure are getting it. With you awakened ones for a new political party to get justice. Maude Pettyjohn THE PRISON MAN. (Gene Burnett?) The Mail Man approaches, his footsteps I Hear; I've counted his pauses, and now he draws near: I know he won't stop, for he never before Has stopped with a letter in front of my door. Yet how I'd treasure one - no one can tell How it would cheer up the gloom of my cell. I'd keep it a treasure in memory's store If he'd stop with a letter in front of my door. I'd like to friends like some of the boys To share both alike in my sorrows and joys, What a pleasure 'twould be to read o'er and o'er The letters the Mail Man would leave at my door. Often it brings to me pleasure at night To think of the good things which I'd write I would think all the month of good things galore If he'd stay with a letter in front of my door. Way down in my heart there's a pain, And I can't find words to exact;y explain Why it seems to ache more than ever before When the man with the mail doesn't stop at my door.Prison Man19 Batavia Str Boston, Mass. 23 April 1925 My dear Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, Could received your Eastern greeting card because just now I am living at 19 Batavia Str. Boston, being moved from my former place on account of the owners of my former residence being on vacation in Europe. Many thanks for the best wishes for my suffering country. I read your lines and wepte. I thank you, my noble ladyand friend. I beg you to pardon me, who for 45 years, losing his home & folks has forgotten, long ago, the great day of Eastern, the day of life reborn and refreshing; in a word the anniversary of our Jesus' resurrection, those who have not loss their faith have the custom to express their joices and wishes in a cordial manner. Wishing the same to you with good feeling and to whol mankind which needs the peace and the rebirth of love. I remain my dear friend, yours cordially A. PetrajianArsling Fetvajian