Anna Dickinson Family Correspondence January 18, 1884-January 27, 1884Palmer House Chicago, Ill 1.18.84 Dearest Marmee, - What a pity that I cannot talk with my Marmee by word of mouth instead of by these shabby scrawls. - The one is so easy & satisfying, & the other so stupid & tiresome. However! - a "half loaf is better than no bread." So be it. It has been a warm, stuffy day, with a dirtysoft snow smearing through the air, & in the streets. It is these violent changes that make our seasons so cruel. A few days ago I was fairly shriveled with the cold. -& now I feel like a stuffed boa: - ready to explode. I see, by the papers, that Frank Willard was in town a day or so ago. She did not know I was here. - Nor did I know that she was even in this region of the world. It was to give testimony in a law case touching the univ. at Evanston (of which she was at one time the Princ. of the "Female" Department) Some of the row that grew out of the mean jealousy of the man to whom she was then engaged. The Rev. Dr. Fowler, who was the dean of the Col. - and is now in some important position in the church (Methodist) East. His meanness drove Frank out of the Col. - & also drove away the Prof. of musicsimply because he had been engaged by Frank & was devoted, I suppose, to her interests. There has been a long fight over his attempts to recover damages (Prof. Mayo's I mean) which ended I see by the Morning Paper, in the Jury giving him $4,000 & some odd hundreds. However, this is of no special interest to thee. What makes it of interest to me is the romantic and tragic story of Frank's love affairs that lies back of it, & that the sight of the trial recalled. Well, she is certainly far better off as she is, than if she had become Mrs. Rev. Fowler. How sorry I am that John's eyes still trouble him so. Poor fellow, he has a hard time of it in many ways. I hope when the Dr. is done with him that they will be really well. Did Miss Constance pay a good, long visit. She is a nice woman - true& affectionate & sincere. I approve of her. News there is none of moment to relate. - But this scrap concerning the British (Soldier) Nations in India I thought might amuse little Maum, & so I send it along. I wish I had a sure receipt for health & strength & happiness to forward with it. And I hope my Maumee is at least comfortable, - & that the sun shines on her within & without, & that somebody pleasant & something good has come to her since I wrote her last, -- My love to her small keeper, - & my heart to my Maum from AnnaPALMER HOUSE Chicago, 1.20.1884 Dear little Being- How I wish I could see the small mortal, and talk with her. There are so many things to say--& the paper & ink are such a vexation. I don't know when I am ever going to get "that letter" written. I have had it on my mind for days & it isn't accomplish yet, & wont be, alas! today. --maybe tomorrow. I am so stupid, & things are so generally X I cant write now. Dear love, & a longer message next time, to my little, faithful devoted mortal dear. AnnaPalmer House Chicago, Ill 1.20.84 Dear little Maumee, It is cold here, today. Cold. Cold. I wonder whether it is as bright & sunny but far milder in Philadelphia. I hope so for the sake of my dear little old Ma. - & of her huge keeper--if her huge keeper has had to go abroad. This is a good spot for the frost fiend & the wind fiend to inhabit. - the wind sweeps from endless prairie land everywhere save when it comes from cruel stretches of watery cold, - & when a "blizzard"from the merciless north west country is added to the rest of the "delights" of winter, the pleasures are almost overpowering. I saw Mr. Colfax yesterday for a little while. Also Mrs. C. I think she is a good & lovely woman. She has been a beautiful one too. She has great simplicity of manner. --always had, & I think great kindness of heart. Mr. C. looks old.--I don't mean as if he were "getting old,"-- but, within the last year--since I saw him --he has gone through the some sort of transition that makes him seem antique. Far more ancient than his years. His face has a faded look, & his hair is white as snow. He has it cut closer than he used to wear it, & that makes him seem still more faded. He was jolly & "smiling" ("Schuyler the Smiler") as usual,--& asked for my Mother & Sister, & desired his regards sent them.-- He had come up with his frau, & his sister & mother-in-law to see Irving. His "sister" is the disagreeable Carrie,-- more ugly & disagreeable, & coarse looking than of old, & his brother-in-law --(tell Dickums if she is reading this to my Maumee not to fall over in a fit)--isHollister! Ye gods! - & I knew him not! - Tell Dickums I will tell her more of him anon. She knows more of him than my small Maumee does, & will probably be more interested. Ellen writes me that Mr. Byers wrote her about my whereabouts, - & sorry am I to have missed him. He was on his way to Florida - by which I suppose the poor fellow is agonized with his "sciatica" & rheumatism again - (from which torments he had both hoped & believed himself free.) - & was going home, -when he does go home - by way of New Orleans & Texas. I would like well to see that Texas Country. It has always interested me more than any other part of the south - (I mean to see.) What a pity poor old Pa Chatfield did not hold on to his Texas bonds, - or rather that he could not have held on to his money till the new Texas Pacif was in order" & then "slung it" into it. He was one of the half dozen or so who were interested in the first scheme - (ages ago) - to build a Pacific Road by way of the Southern route, & had a loadof the bonds. - He confesses that it was slavery that killed the scheme then, - that Northern men could not put their money into so hard a country - for such an end. - I felt he was just as pro-slavery then as he is now, and now as he was then. Queer. One would suppose self interest would teach proper sense if justice has no "call" on them. And, by the by, I had a "postal" from Betty yesterday. She reports herself as being better again, but has been "very sick." Is there any new word of John? - I have not written to him but have thought of him very often, & hoped both his eyes & his ails were mending altogether. It is bad enough to be sick when one has everything to cheer & encourage. But - Well, as I have said before, tho' I dont see it, daylight must come. I hope something pleasant of some sort has come into my little Maumee's life since I wrote her last - be it ever so little - & I hope she is "pretty well." My love to Dickums & John if he has come home -& my heart to my Maum from AnnaChicago Ill 1.21.84 Dearest Maumee, How is she this evening? Is she perched by her fire up in her own room, I wonder? - or is she by a table down stairs? Is she reading? or talking, or has she her cap of & a handkerchief over her head with it leaning against the back of her chair - & somebody talking to her? And who is the somebody, I wonder. Also I wonder if John & Martha are back - & how John's eyes are? I hope, mended.The weather, here, is again utterly cold here, & wholly forbidding. I wonder if in a civilized country there ever was such a savage climate as this of the West. - I doubt it. I have seen nobody to interest my Maumee, & there is nothing special to tell her about. I am still bound fast, tho' Slayton promises me some work soon. All seasons are bad enough in these days for this kind of work, but this is between autumn work & spring work & so - out this way - the worst of all. I wish some money would rain out of the clouds so that I could have a shower to drop on my Maum. And how is she? I hope pretty well and comfortable - & happy, - & that all goes well with her. - I wish I could kiss her good night, - & I send her my heart. AnnaPALMER HOUSE Chicago, 1.22. 1884 Dear little Dickey, Was it not odd about Hollister? I was roosting in my place & felt something worrying me, (so to speak) off at my left. Looked at my left, & saw in the seat in front Mr & Mrs C., a lady next (with gentleman between) of whom I said he looks familiar, as to the gentleman, across whom they leaned to speak. I knew him not, in back, nor in profile nor for the matter of that, at last in full face. I saw Mr. C. saw me, but was trying not to see me, & I was a good deal surprised, (but understood it afterwards) since he has always seemed to keep his very deep personal interest in me. I suppose he wasafraid of an awkward situation. When at last he did catch my eye, he beamed all over & "accepted the situation, & spoke to Mrs. C, who also beamed. I had felt the gentleman look at me a good many times, but simply thought he was some one who knew who I was supposed to be. He is very grey. - Is straight enough yet, but has grown stout, & his splendid teeth are spoiled by tobacco stain - as tho' he were an everlasting smoker. - but after I got fairly used to his face, I could see his eyes were very much as they used to be. - but I wondered when I looked at him, how any human being - even in the years that have intervened could have changed in the inside, as much as I thought he had done. Grown commonplace I should say, & certainly there was nothing of the commonplace in him some years ago. I should think to live with Carrie M. tho' he must have grown commonplace, or she would have harried him to death - or divorce. She looks like an Indian on the war path. She always did have a deal of that air. He asked her to change seats with him so that he could sit where he could talk with me between acts. Meanwhile she leaned over & talked with Mr. C who presently went out, & when he came back announced that he had gone out to change his tickets, - or rather to sell them. - They had come to see both performances, - but he had concluded "the ladies were so tired they had [best?] go home, instead of staying up &over Sunday." Oh, Caroline! Caroline! If you had only known I cared not a straw for the talk you were so anxious to prevent. I would as willingly have held a discourse with one of the ushers. He told me they were at Salt Lake (I thought they were in Montana) & were going back Tuesday. (To-day, by the by.) He "didn't like" Irving. Neither did Mr. nor Mrs. C, as to Caroline she did not vouchsafe me her views. I did. I liked him exceedingly in every thing but "Louis the 11th" & The "Belle's Stratagem." In melo-drama I think he is "immense." - & his keen intelligence shows through all he does. - But he is awkward, & a bad reader, & without ardor. - Yet in a little speech in "Charles 1st" which, by the by is a very weak play, - when the king describes to the "friend" (Lord Moray) who had betrayed him - the picture of Judas as he had seen it, & what it should be, - (the face of the beautiful young fellow before him) he was as pathetic & sympathetic & captivating as anything I ever saw or heard on the stage. I may have been wrong, but I did not dare to approach him. I might have written to him, or have found the means of writing him, but I was afraid - spite of his position & his intelligence - that he would be no more generous to me than the lesser lights of his profession, & that he would hear medamned by the folk about him. Abbey & his gang. What does thee think-- in writing to Burdett Coutts of my sending a copy of my three books, & a picture? Good or ill? I will get away to a little work next week, & will tell thee later where to write, but oh! What work! Last evening a very charming young lady,--Miss Annie Jenness, who used to write me often but whom I had never seen fell upon me & had a nice talk with me. She was on her way to a little town in Ill. to speak. She had been on the stage for a little while with Raymond & spoken a good deal in lesser towns, presently is to be married to a rich man at Evansville Ind.--I had been the inspiration for her life! It is a queer irony of fate that makes & has made me the "inspiration" of so many successful movements & lives,--but dooms me to nothing but disaster & heart break in my own! I will write Forney a line,--but my judgment is to give him nothing for publication. To let events show for themselves as they pass. Susan B. is writing me again about coming to Washington. Is it well or ill for me to go? I mean [* say, none at all,--well!--Better luck by & by!--I will say so at least--Dear love always From Anna *]--in the long run--will be it of benefit or hurt. I am inclined to think--as I always have thought, tho' I may be wholly wrong--the latter. I must write to L.W. too, but don't say anything more about "speech" notices to her. If she means well or if she means ill, she generally manages to say the thing I want unsaid. Besides, if I make the Washington speech, I will make it in the few places East--& not "Pluck & Principle" --but then I don't suppose I am to make it. Say nothing about it, anyway, to any one else. but tell me what thee thinks thyself about the matter. And what of home & home matters? Oh! my infant Why don't something decent [* come to us & come to us soon! I hope the little midge *] [* is pretty well, & has some hope & some courage, for I confess I have very little of the rest--at least--not toPalmer House Chicago, Ill 1.22.84 Dearest Maumee, Dicky writes a good word of the state of my Maumee, & that the "slavey" is tidy & painstaking,--& that things, in consequence, are comfortable, in a way, for the dear little lion & her keeper. That is not illbut I would it were better. It is a warm noon. This morning it was utterly cold, & now there is a slop in the streets, & probably by five or six o clock it will be blowing a blizzard. It is this sort of thing that makes everybody sick. Oh, dear! I wish we could all go & live in a land of "spices & wine". Frank Willard has been through town again, but without my seeing her. She may have finally concluded I am "too wicked" on the Temperance & other questions for her to know. She was a lovely woman. but, if she is going to reform into one of the "elect"--good-bye to her.You do not tell me of Coz. Wm. Have you heard, and is he getting quite well again? I hope so. Also, I hope that my little Maumee is "friskey" & happy. My letter is not much, but it will at least say to her that she has my heart.-- AnnaPALMER HOUSE Chicago, 1.23. 1884 Dear Honey,--I could not resist the temptation of sending this first page in Ellen's letter. The idea of Mrs (Dr?!) (she always will call her "Dr!") Bullard being "glad I am to lecture!" is too utterly too-too.--& that I had "been here the past winter", When she knows no more of the Everests than do the babes in the wood.--And then for Ellen to suppose when she knows as much as she does of Laura Bullard to suppose the screed was from her! Well. It is from dear, good, poor, sick May French. (Mrs. Sheldon.) Annie Jenness had a long & nice talk, & has gone her way to some littletown in Michigan to speak tomorrow night. Her earnest good will & sympathy quite took my heart. She tells me she is to be married the 2d of March. Also, thee knows I told thee somewhat of Williams, that he didn't amount to a row of pins anyway & never did, but it seems he is in addition a scallawag of first water, & cheated her, poor soul, & gave her the necessity of a law-suit & what not of trouble in her work last year. I am hanging fire about my doings in March till I hear what thee says on the "Washington Question". And then I must cast about for what to do in some way of means,--for the lectures [* are very little in comparison with what we need for present & future.--I wont write more for I am only a *] [* dismal horror to thee in what I write,--will hope a "night & a day" may bring something more cheerful.--Dear love always from Anna *]Palmer House Chicago Ill 1.23.84 Dearest Maumee, How is she this snowy day--or isn't it a snowy day in Phila--but a very wet & dirty one? That is about the difference probably between the two towns. And has John come back? & how are his eyes?--& his health generally? And what of my dear, precious littleMaum? I had a long call to-day from a very nice & bright girl who is making speeches in a small way,--& is to be married by & by, & is then going to give over her speech making & devote herself to writing,-- But how does she make real money with her pen? How? How! Luckily for her she is to marry some money. But she is educating her sister, & her sister says she doesn't want her new brother-in-law to pay her bills,--so when Miss Annie becomes Madame Annie she means to earn money still to that end. Well--this may not interest my Maum since she has not seen the bright girl herself.I wish I could see her--my Maumee I mean.--& that I could see her well & cheerful, & a pretty strong little lion, & quite happy.--oh, Maumee Maumee why can't we do what we want to do in this world!-- So I must content me at present with sending the big Dicky my dear love, & my dear Maumee my heart. Anna Palmer House Chicago Ill 1.23.84 Dear little Dickums, I send the "Inter Ocean" thinking thee may care to see just what it reports of Matthew Arnold.--The "Tribune" says he had exactly 400 people 320 downstairs 80 up. And Tourgee else whom, I should think fared very much worse. Time was when Arnoldsimply as a matter of curiosity would have command the house.-- And yet the fools of people & fools of papers, who know "how it is themselves" keep on their senseless howl about "not forgiving" me for "leaving the platform" & about my return thither. When there is nothing to which to return.-- Even if I had the desire & the matter to bring.--I "harp on my daughter" still, because regularly every day I have the thing in some shape or form flung at me. I wouldn't care sixpence but for the miserable effect it has had & has now. I do not at all doubt that multitudes of people who really admire me & wish me well instead of assenting to all this stuff, & staying out of the theaters, & swelling my disrepute--with the managers thereby thinking they are doing the right thing for the"cause", & the rest of it really "took a sense" of the facts of the case, I would have plain sailing.-- As it is they wont until I am wholly submerged or succeed in making another show. I dined yesterday at the table with a rampant young woman --a Miss Rogers--from Dubuque. Independent, some money, aching to make a "sensation" as as strong minded leader in some way,--on the whole a very foolish young person.--& I speak of her only because of the talk she made about "Billy". She knows him well. Has always known him, & she says the society people of Dubuque assert "sub rosa" that the reason Mrs. Billy went mad & drowned herself was because of Mr. Billy's doings in his 'marital relations".--Just so! & he is one of the Woman's Rights Lights.--And hecan drink good wine like a fish--& he is the "favorite son" of his Prohibition State. And he can beat Schenck at Poker,--& is a church member & "shining example! Again just so.--Great is humbug --Long may it wave! People like humbugs-- They dont "like to be humbugged" as folk say. --They aren't humbugged. The most of them would rather bow down to a "tasty" Whited Sepulchre than to a clean white shaft of marble anyday. Presumably it flatters their own vanity more. Which, as I have had occasion before to remark is not nice reading, & there is no reason why I should shy disagreeable facts at my blessed small midgkin, & good dear. I send back the letter thee forwarded me that thee may see thecuriosity of a fresh outbreak of the indefatigable, was ever anything known like unto this horrible man!--I am to give him my "lowest rates" which are to do me good in his projected American Tribune. He's a specimen. Nice. How is my small Dick? & what is the word with her in every way? How is her little head & her poor bit of a back? Do they trouble her horribly or are they better than they have been?--I hope so, with all my heart. That poor little head. & that mite of a lame & over worked back come before me times out of count--&--under the circumstances--to the affliction of my soul. I hope they are to have good times yet.-- whats the use in talking! I will stop anyhow for here is Miss Annie Jenness's card. I suppose she has just got back from Carthage Ill. where she was going to speak--when I sawher night before last. She told me she would come back this way by a train that would let her see me again if possible. Oh!--(she hasn't come up yet) Mrs Dr. Smith (unusual name) came to see me yesterday. She is a daughter of alphabet Abbott (J.S.C.) & used to be a very conservative mortal. However! she had studied med.--& is making a success of its practice, & is a very delightful woman. She gave me a pain atween my ribs, however when she said "oh Miss Dickinson how could you give up the stage-- when you did such beautiful work there! Why did you listen to what the newspapers say."--Which is cheerful--again all things considered! Well. Be a good little mortal. Be pretty well.--& do do, scoop something out of the clouds thatwill be to the small infant's own good, & that of all concerned. Dear love always from AnnaPalmer House Chicago Ill 1.28.84 Dearest Maumee, And so Frederick is as good as a white man at last! Evidently he was not willing to have R.P. & Charles out-do him. What a singular business on both sides. Frederick was a prematurely old man when I saw him last, years ago.--& what adisappointment it must be to his children. They are none of them, I suspect able to make themselves rich, &, if I have been rightly informed have been good children & devoted to him. Now I suppose family no 2 will come in for the "profits". Well! everyone to his & her own liking I suppose. The paper says she is one of the "strong minded".--She will probably find she has need to be. I hear that Frank Willard means to be in town again & to see me tomorrow. I am glad of that, for I would have mortally hated to know there was any change in her. How is my dearest Maumee?--& what is the word with her? --a good one I hope-- & that she is as strong as a fierce little lion. My love to all,--& my heart to my Maumee from AnnaOld Fred Douglass, the colored orator, after having been the special champion of his own race for over fifty years, has in his old age gone back on them and joined the white man's party. He yesterday married a white woman–he aged 78, she 35. A bright young colored man was heard to exclaim in a barber-shop this morning, "There's no fool like an old fool." FRED DOUGLASS' MARRIAGE. Washington, Jan. 25.–[Special.]–The marriage of Fred Douglass to Miss Helen Pitts, a white woman of this city, has been the general theme of conversation around the hotels, in the departments, and in the different social circles. It has been said that the relatives of the lady (she is a spinster of 35) are dreadfully cut up over the affair, but it appears from what friends of the family say that their objection is not based on race prejudice, but arises wholly from the disparity in their ages. The Pittses and Douglasses reside in a small suburb if Washington known as Uniontown. They are close neighbors, and the relations between the two families have been for years of the most cordial and intimate nature. Some time since Miss Pitts was appointed a copyist in Mr. Douglass' office. She belongs to the school of strong-minded women, and her utterances on the subject of "woman's rights" are radical in the extreme. Douglass has always been in strong sympathy with the movement, and in the annual congresses of female suffragists held in this city his has always been one of the most familiar figures on the platform. Leading colored men like ex-Senator Bruce, ex-Representative Rainey, and Wormley, the hotel proprietor, discuss Mr. Douglass' marriage in guarded language. The general impression is that Douglass has injured himself in the estimation of his colored brethren, and that his influence, already on the wane, will decrease. The women, as may be supposed, are sweeping in their condemnations of the bride. Said a well-known society lady this evening: "I pity Mrs. Douglass. She will occupy an anomalous society position. The colored people already regard her with jealous disfavor, while the ladies of her own race will taboo her. There is a refreshing novelty about taking up Mrs. Bruce and treating her as an equal. Mrs. Bruce represents the highest type of negro culture, and her husband's prominence in public life entitles them to some recognition. Mrs. Douglass, no matter how deserving, will always be known as the white wife of a colored man. The marriage that affects not the husband disgraces the wife." They all assert if she were a daughter of theirs they would rather see her in her grave than to form an alliance repugnant to good taste. Mr. Douglass is represented as being madly in love with his newly-wedded wife. FREDERICK DOUGLASS. The Sable Bridegroom Says His Wife Is 46 Years Old and He Had a Right to Marry Her. Washington, D. C., Jan. 25.–[Special.]–The Washington Post will tomorrow have the following: When Mr. Douglass appeared in the parlor of his residence Friday night in response to a reporter's call he did not appear in the least disturbed by the excitement which his marriage had occasioned. "I don't see why there should be any comment," said he. "It is certainly not any event of public moment. I have simply exercised the rights which the laws accord to every citizen, and I am astonished that a city so large as I consider Washington to be should become at once so small. It seems that the newspapers would present to the eye of public curiosity and to those, too, which every man holds most dear and sacred, the affairs of the family. What would you have me say? I can give no explanation. I can make no apology." "The opinion has been expressed that the colored people, who look to you as a leader, will consider your position in the light of your present action as equivocal." "I do not presume to be a leader," answered Mr. Douglass, "but if I have advocated the cause of the colored people it is not because I am a negro, but because I am a man. The same impulse which would move me to jump into the water to save a white child from drowning causes me to espouse the cause of the down-trodden and oppressed wherever I find them. Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Sumner were leaders of the colored people far greater than I, an humble citizen, can ever hope to be. They were both white men. What effect, then, can the affairs of my private life have upon my principles of justice? I want for the colored people equal rights and advantages of citizenship, and for those objects I am still working just as earnestly and shall continue to do so until the end." "It is said that your action reflects unfavorably upon the women of the colored race, and will consequently have a ruinous effect upon your political future?" "I have no political aspirations. I am getting well along in years now, and I wish only to live quietly and peaceably, doing all the good I can. All this excitement, then, is caused by a marriage of a woman a few shades lighter than myself. If I had married a black woman there would have been nothing said about it. Yet the disparity in our complexions would have been the same. I am not an African, as may be seen from my features and hair, and it is equally easy to discern that I am not Caucasian. There are many colored ladies of my acquaintance who are a great deal better educated, yet in affairs of this nature who is to decide the why and wherefore? I have been associated with the lady who has become my wife for some time past. I came to know her well and was pleased with her, and she, I hope, with me. I conceive," said he, in conclusion, "that there is no division of races. God Almighty made but one race. I adopt the theory that in time the varieties of races will be blended into one. Let us look back when the black and the white people were distinct in this country. In 250 years there has been grown up a million of intermediate. And this will continue. You may say that Frederick Douglass considers himself a member of the one race which exists." Mr. Douglass stated that the disparity in ages had been exaggerated. The lady has attained her 46th year. FRED DOUGLASS MARRIED. The Elderly African Agitator United to a White Woman of Strong-Minded Proclivities. Washington, D. C., Jan. 24–[Special.]–Frederick Douglass was married this evening to Miss Helen M. Pitts, a young white woman. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr. Grimke, of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, in the presence of only two witnesses. Mr. Douglass wore a full suit of black and his bride a costume of garnet velvet and silk. They returned to the lady's residence and then proceeded to Mr. Douglass' country house in Uniontown. No one outside of the parties immediately concerned seems to have known anything about the event before it occurred, Mr. Douglass' family being as poorly informed as that of the bride. Miss Pitts has been for some eighteen months a clerk or copyist in Mr. Douglass' office of Recorder of Deeds for the District, and he has, during a large part of that time, paid her marked attention, but no one acquainted with either believed that a marriage would result, though the bridegroom has remarked to several lately that he contemplated remarrying. The lady is a prominent member of the woman's suffrage party and has been associated with Mrs. Dr. Winslow in the conduct of a paper called Alpha. She was originally from Avon, N.Y., and is described as of handsome face and figure, with black hair and eyes, and about 35 years of age. Her family were, it is said, very much exercised at the fact of her employment among colored people and the friendship that existed between her employer and herself. Mr. Douglass is 65 years of age. The first wife died about a year ago. She was a negress. Douglass has daughters as old as his present spouse.Palmer House Chicago Ill 1.28.84 Dear little Dicky, I felt "in my bones" that the poor little dear had been sick, & am in a general state of worry about the one or the other of my two small vimmins in that matter the most of the time. The more so as the winter is such a cruel one to me. I feel sometimes as tho' I might as well give up the ghost.--butdon't intend to!--one can do most things if one has the will & health but to be sick & out of gear is a pretty bad state of things, with "other things equal". I thought thee would be amused at the ridiculous style of this musical criticism in a great city paper.-- & I knew thee would smile at the smart Col Mapleson, so I send them along.-- Also the "Tribune" Ed on tother Tribune. The "musical"? spread is from the "Inter Ocean". I am going off into the wilds of Indiana for a mean little engagement, & may go on to Cincinnati for a little visit with Mrs Higby. If I do I will write thee to that effect. "For the present" I am "here". X I will write more tomorrow. Meanwhile with dearest love always Anna (over) If I go to Cincinnati --which is dubious--very-- I will be there thru next Sunday. I had hoped to have spoken in their course then, but there is some hitch about hall or dates or people, or something, & they want me to come later. It is a mighty difficult matter to find an engagement in these days that will "pay expenses & give one a living margin." Here is the only "old fashioned" lecture corner of which I know in the whole west, that was not finished up before the holidays--or the arrangements for which were not made months ago,-- Well! There is nothing to be done but to live through the passing days & see what comes on the "other side" of them. That was largely my mind (what thee writes) about Washington. Slayton & Pugh are havingsome correspondence. I do not know how it will "pan out."-- Is it good or bad wisdom to speak for him --if it is arranged. Say nothing about it save to me. If I had a great speech--I dont know. But as it is I have "Joan of Arc" (which Pugh always said he wouldn't have)--& a something that I hope will turn out "good enough for country towns" --but am doubtful of what it may be for elsewhere. It hasn't been even tried on yet.--& when it is it will have to trust to luck for itself, for my head & shoulder & [spivey] have kept me in so stupid a shape as to make it impossible for me to put it on paper. Again with dearest love always Anna Mrs. Higby's address is Southern Ave. Mt Auburn (Cincinnati) Ohio Keep it whether thee needs it now or not.[?] will be firm and persistent. ___________________________ WHO ARE THE BEST PEOPLE? The question Who are the best people in the community? is a very important one if half that Mr. Matthew Arnold says about the "saving remnant" is true. It is they alone who can be saved, and who can save the rest of the people. The majority left to their own blind folly and wickedness will surely go to ruin unless "the best people" can get the leadership of them and can kindle them all with their own sacred fire. The best people are the special cult of the New York Tribune, which announces that it is edited and published for them. From it, then, we ought to be able to find out who this precious class are so that we may be able to devote ourselves to cultivating them and seeing that they increase and multiply and replenish the earth with their saving virtues. An examination of the news and editorial columns of that organ of the "best" will at once reveal to the inquirer that the people for whom it is edited are Messrs. Jay Gould, Huntington, Cyrus Field, Sidney Dillon, the Vanderbilts, and more or less numerous body of their adherents, running up into the thousands. Nothing is printed in its columns which could offend their susceptibilities. They are its "best people." The New York Tribune ignored Senator Edmunds' exhaustive argument in favor of postal telegraphy, but printed the next day a very elaborate editorial misrepresenting his position and demonstrating that the use of electricity in the transmission of the mails was not practicable or desirable. The multitude who would like to enjoy that convenience, and those who advocate their cause, are not "the best people." It is those who wish electricity to remain the monopoly of Mr. Gould who are the "best people." The report of the Public Lands Committee recommending the forfeiture of Huntington's Texas Pacific land-grant occupied a column or two in the papers published for ordinary people, but the Tribune gave it only two or three scrappy of paragraphs. These were followed by an editorial, in which the whole business of attempting to recover these forfeited land-grants was stigmatized as "Communistic." Manifestly the millions of the citizens of the United States to whom this report proposed to restore this land and the thousands on thousands of hard-working toilers to whom this forfeiture will be the opening of homes on the soil of their native land are not the "best people." The "best people" are those who have attempted to steal these lands by debauching Congress, by consolidating railroads the consolidation of which was forbidden by the law, by trespassing on the public domain, and by making the bounty of Congress the means for the creation of the transportation monopoly which the bounty was given to prevent. A Senator has just been elected in Ohio who is proved by the records of Congress to have used his power as a Representative in Congress in 1876 to prevent an investigation of the worst monopoly in the United States -the Standard Oil Company. This is no hearsay. The records show that Mr. Payne crippled the investigation, and the testimony of a fellow-member of Congress shows that the plot, of which he says Mr. Payne was the attorney, was carried out to the point of actually stealing what little testimony was obtained by that committee reflecting on the methods of the Standard Oil monopoly. But tho Mr. Payne is the choice of the party to which the New York Tribune professes to be opposed, it has not had a word to say in condemnation of this outrageous election. Its appetite for monopoly is greater than its loyalty to its own party or country. Nothing that would call attention to the frauds and depredations of this concern is ever let into the columns of the New York Tribune. We see from this that "the best people" are not the community at large whose franchises and trusts have been violated by this corporation, not the innumerable victims of their rapacity, but the marauders themselves. For the life of us we cannot but doubt that Rockefeller, Jay Gould, Huntington, Crocker, Field, and their fellows are really "the best people" in America. We cannot believe that a newspaper that is prepared for their fastidious eyes really reaches the best people. It is delightful, indispensable to some temperaments to associate with and win the approval of the successful, the rich, the powerful. But it is early yet to stake all on the belief that these men are really successful, powerful; even rich. This country is not yet ready to be handed over to a plutocracy of syndicates who shall monopolize its travel and traffic, its light, its rapid-transit mails, its Congress and Supreme Court. It may prove after all that people who believe that the "wealthy criminal classes" have their vested duties as well as their vested rights are not only the "best," but the most powerful and successful.AMUSEMENTS. _________________ HAVERLY'S THEATER. A fair-sized audience, one that was generous and good-natured in its display of appreciation, appeared last evening at Haverly's to welcome fashion's new favorite, Mme. Marcella Sembrich. The opera of the evening was Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia," that, with its chameleon change of color and delightful orchestration, is said to have composed in an incredibly short time; and, although it has been heard for nearly-three-quarters of a century, it retains its perennial freshness and charm and still stands as the most delightful Italian opera buffe in the repertoire. Signor Vianesi and his splendid orchestral constituency presented the instrumentation with force and finished beauty, adding much to the pleasure of the production. It was evident that the opera had not been overdone in the matter of rehearsals nor were the principals-particularly prompt in putting in a stage appearance at the proper interval. As it was, however, the singers had an enjoyable time themselves, and the audience followed their example. As for the brilliant vocal melodic beauties of Rossini, they did not have a very truthful translations save by a limited number of the principals endisted. Sig. Del Puente gave a spirited and delightful presentation of the role of Figaro, taking the music in a lower key than demanded by the score. His acting and his singing met with decided approval. M. Capoul, as Almaviva, gave a delightful dramatic characterization. He is a thorough and finished artist, and it is to be regretted that commanding such an admirable musical method he has so little voice to utilize. An admirable exemplification of his musical style was in the singing of the serenade in the first act. Signor Corsini gave a sterotyped characterization of Dr. Bartolo, and Signor Mirabella, as Don Basilio, furnished a finished characterization, and his fine resonant voice was heard in decidedly pleasing contrast to the general effect of the ensemble. Mme. Lablache was Berta, and Signors Contini and Grazzi sustained the other characters of the cast. Mme. Sembrich voiced the role of Rosina in brilliant and catchy style that fairly electrified and captivated her audience. The music of Rossini is hardly as well suited to her voice as that of Donizetti, and the marvelous, beautiful, and high notes were not as full and finished in the middle register as in the role of Lucia. Her singing however, seemed to strike the audience as most agreeable, and her arias were applauded to the echo. Her rendition of "Ma Voce" called into play a splendid quality of voice, beautiful in purity of tone; her cadenzas were given with great fluency. and her notes ran astonishingly high and clear. Later in this act in the duet with Figaro she gave ample evidence of her facility of elocution and range of voice. For the music lesson scene, Proch's song and variations was given with a brilliancy of style and sweep of voice that called forth salvas of applause. As an encore She sang Welling's "Some Day," in English, an artistic effort that won the hearty applause of the audience. At the conclusion of the opera she sang the cavatina, "Ah Non Guinge" from "Somnambula." Her characterization from a dramatic view, while pretty and graceful, was not very strong or effective, but it pleased the audience, and won their commendation. Mme. Nilsson will appear in her celebrated creation of Margherita in "Faust" at the matinee' thii afternoon the evening Mme. Trebelli will make her first appearance in Bizet's "Carmen." ____________________ HER MAJESTY'S OPERA CO., Mr. Dittman, the representative of Her Majesty's Opera Company, states that he has documentary evidence to show that Mme. Gerster has not left the organization, and that the telegraphic communication from Baltimore in the papers yesterday was a base fabrication. The substitution of "Ernani', for the opera in which Mme. Gerster was to appear was a necessity brought about by the illness of the star, and an event of which Mr. Dittman had received telegraphic information. Mme. Patti sang in Baltimore last night to an $8,000 house; and it is promised that the season of Her Majesty's Opera in this city will be carried out as programmed, rumors to the contrary notwithstanding. _______________ GERSTER AND MAPLESON. New York, Jan. 25. - Mme. Gerster, who refused to sing for Colonel Mapleson last night, to the disappointment of the citizens of Baltimore, is said to be at the residence of her brother, Dr. Gerster, in this city. She refused to see reporters. The Evening Post has the following explanation: From other sources it is ascertained that the trouble between Mme. Gerster and her manager was of long standing. It rose primarily from Colonel Mapleson's backwardness in paying Mme. Gerster $1,000 for each time she sang. Repeated requests by Dr. Gardini. Mme. Gerster's husband, met with the reply that there was no money in the Academy's strong box because Patti's agent had taken it all." To a friend Dr. Gardini told this story the week before he left: "Mme. Gerster was to get $1,000 for each performance. She has sung sixteen times and received $6,000 in all. When I go to Colonel Mapleson for the rest he shrugs his shoulders and says, 'Mon cher, garcon,' which means, my dear boy, 'I have not a penny. That wretch Franchi has taken it all-every penny-for Patti. We make no money on Gerster nights, and if I don't pay Patti she will stop singing, and then we shall have a jolly time of it, and all starve together,' Well, I consented to wait from day to day, but when I heard colonel Mapleson was building a boudoir car for Patti, with silver ornaments and velvet carpets and bath- rooms, I went to him and asked whenGerster was to have a $60,000 railroad car. He said he would have one built as soon as the strike of the glass-blowers was over. I asked for money every day, but got none. One day I got an invitation to go and admire Patti's car at the Grand Central Depot. I did not go. Colonel Mapleson is right in calling this a Patti season; it is a Patti season, for she takes all the money that comes in." It is believed that negotiations are still going on between Colonel Mapleson and Dr. Gardini which may result in the sudden return of the prima donna to Baltimore. According to the Post, colonel Mapleson explained Gerster's absence by say that she had received news of the illness of her child, who had been attacked with croup in New York. She had taken the first train for this city without giving notice to any one. Gerster has returned to Baltimore. At her hotel it has been learned that the difficulty between herself and Colonel Mapleson has been patched up and she has consented to fulfill her engagements for the remainder of the season. She will consequently sing in Chicago and Cincinnati as announced. The agent here has refused to make public any details of the affair.Palmer House Chicago Ill 1.27.84 Dearest Maumee, I thought she might like to see what the papers this way have to say of Frederick.--& his marriage. If the lady is sensitive about her age she will not thank him for talking aloud that she is six & forty.--Well! it is their own affair!I had a long booful visit from Frank Willard yesterday,--& she asked with the affection of a daughter & sister for Maumee & Dickums, & sent them loads of love. She looks like her old self. But says she is very tired. I should think so! She goes to the ends of the earth, & I would be tasked to death if I had to be in peoples houses as she is. I have a lame arm & a dull head & cant write my Maumee a very good letter. I wish I could. I wish I could send her in a screed sunshine, & happiness aplenty. How at ease it would make my Maumee, & how happy it would make me! Well!--I will write something akin to it some day.--Meanwhile I hope the dear little lion is comfortable,--& Ithink of her & her small keeper all the time, & I send her my heart. Anna Palmer House Chicago Ill 1.27.84 Dear little honey, I have divers & sundry of which I wish to write, but I have such a lame neck & I will have to delay a day or so,--but I did not want my small midge to think I was not ready to acknowledge hermessage--nor slow to send her some word of reply. I want to tell her about the things she enclosed & about Laura Dainty & a lot of stuff, but it will have to go till I can write, & not make mouse tracks in the paper. Meanwhile with love to John always & always (Which means a heap tho' it dont look "good sense" Anna I spoiled these stamps & I have no more. So I send em along with her [mail?].