Anna Dickinson General Correspondence Brooks, Noah [Feb. 28, 1872 - Nov., 1874] New York. July 14, 1872 Oh no, my dear friend. I never tell tales out of school, unless it may be at the solicitation of a charming young woman to whom we could not say nay; in which case I might be tempted to say that her husband wrote the .... article, which you, like me consider very good indeed. book" which you were heavily dragging about was "Margaret", which I thought I had given you. I suppose you thought you were disappointed in not meeting me at Berkeley. I know I was cruelly so the week before but I concealed my sorrow for the sake of Mrs L.G.C.R. and smiled and smiled as though I had not missed a pleasure which I had been looking forward to for many weary months. I suppose I may never see you now. I am quite well, thank you, and how do you do? Please consider your hand shaken and your polite and friendly salutation returned with interest. It is a pity that you would consider an excuse necessary to write to me, when you know that an old man like me would be only too glad to have a might bit of sunshine glanced this way from you through the mails. You who a nice girl, for writing that book about on me. You do me proud because I supposed tis "myN New York July 28, '72 Aha! my young friend, I have been out to Berkely! What do you think of that? You who had a prance down to Long Branch and a gallivanting with Ray and Reid, while I was cooped up in the office of the Great Moral Organ, doing work for three? This letter is highly condensed and leaves me only space to say I wish you a happy escape from statistics and that I am your cordial friend Brooks. And to think that you pranced into the Tribune office and out again, one day just ten minutes after I had gone! When I went down at night Col Nay was sitting at his desk fixedly regarding the spot where you stood, and murmuring that he saw still the brightness of the shadow you cast on the wall. But I went out to Berkely on the Frontier, and had a good time. We made lemon ice, which we after ate, so there! I have a great deal to preach to you about, but meantime remain cordially yours, Noah BrooksDo you know it seems to me sometimes that I am like Mrs Whitney's poor heroine who thought all the world was having good times and she was not in 'em? I am a sort of male Cinderella - a scrub in the world's back kitchen. Other people spread their wings and sun themselves in the rays of beauty (at Long Branch, for instance) while I toil and moil. But, as I was saying, I went out to Berkeley on one of those royal purple days we had last week when it seemed as if the sky were an inverted bowl of lapis lazuli and the earth an emerald bathed with gold. (Rather neat that) I found the grand dame at home, had my breakfast and then until 4:45 we tore all our friends limb from limb. The kind-hearted lady rode down to [summit?] with me and weNew York, Aug. 14, 1842 Bless you, my child! Are you still alive and in a solid state of existence? It seems to me that all sweet things would be fluid during this melting weather. I can scarcely imagine anything so sweet-tempered as you pretend not to be in a compact condition. put them all together again concluding that who but us had such delightful friends and acquaintances. I take my [??????] when [Nay?] returns, and shall go to [Castine, he?], my dear old native place. Poor Swain, I believe took himself off untimely. His wife is a scandal and he was financially ruined. Why would he live? Will you consent to try your hand at editorializing, and will you let me assist at your debut? I shall be most happy. You will make a great hit and I shall be proud.I would I had revelation and visions which would be available in the campaign. If I had I would gladly — put 'em in the Tribune. My brain is dessicated, and my ideas have faded with the violets. Why don't you take as a Theme Is The War Over? I have very many changes on this and shall ring more. Why fight old battles over and over? After all, what is the difference between Democrats and Republicans? Enough. joking about, though, this is terrific weather, and if I were not a salamander I would not be alive to hint the horror of our night office, our slave=pen. When you take the field again as the glowing champion of some new class of oppressed people, will you not remember us who are compelled to "slave for the dregs of men" in the Tribune office with the mercury up to 99 degrees and no breeze all night?Mr and Mrs. Runkle have been on a filial pilgrimage to the home of the paternal Runkles, and came back, the other day, by the way of Sam Bowles, which aforesaid S. B. sent word that he loved me better as the years rolled on, and that I must spend one Sunday with him in August. Accordingly, I now expect to leave for New England on Friday, to be gone two weeks, staying my flight at Springfield on my return from my ancestral Maine. Commending you to some such rest as that for which I seek. Yours cordially Brooks. ________________________________________________________ M the operation is not quite a dead loss. (Pardon the materiality of my simile; I have been in the market today.) So then, though not weary with work, I make no doubt that the weariness is good for some inward hurt from which you shall presently recover. It is the breaking weariness only that kills; with allweariness comes rest; and if we never tire we never know the sweets of rest and recuperation. You remember the story of the Scottish Laird who set up scratching posts so that all afflicted with the [Scloch] Scotch complaint should also be able to reach the highest Scottish joy. If there were no dull people and dull times, we should expire in dull contentment. The world would be too bright for us if all the women were Mrs. Runkles and Miss A. E. Ds. Mark you, yes, I had a lovely vacation. Much of it was clocked at the end by a cruel Telegram from W. R, which sent me into Maine politics before I had finished my rest at [Castine?]. But my dear old native place as as charming as ever; and the old, old friends of my boyhood were there. The noble old woods where I played, wandered, courted and flirted, are unchanged. I grew young again and was rested.Also, I went to N. H. where I met the friend of my bosom, my old Charlie, which was a rest and comfort in itself. I returned a week ago. Time absent three weeks and two days. Saturday and Sunday I spent at Berkeley Heights. Your wonderful woman is well. We had a royal good time, as we always do, and said nice things about you. Also we have planned an Arcadian summer [??]. Such larks! You are in it, and shall hear of it more anon. Sincerely thine. Brooks. New York, Sept 14, 1872. Poor child! I wonder what sort of people were about you when you wrote out that desperate protest of the 8th September? You have had so much in this world that is lovely and heartsome, you fall foul of your destiny when it throws you among people and things not altogether congenial; and so you travel into the blue mountains because they are not the azure peaks and silver needles of the Sierra or the Rockys. I do not know what manner of persons were about you when you grumbled at the unsatisfying White Hills, but I know that you meant [mo] people when you said mountains. But yes; the White Hills are only hills after all, as reckoned with what you and I have seen in the heart of the continent or by the ridges of the Peaceful Sea. They do very well for people not full= grown; but not many full=grown people go to see them. When I went there this summer I remembered that I saw them twentyyears ago, and so was willing to say they were old friends; but, like some other friends, they have not grown older and more knowing -- as I have. I am sorry that you feel you have lost your summer. You feel like one who has sold his stock when it was rising in the market. You might have got a great deal more for it; though, comparatively New York. Nov 18. 1872 You know I sent to San Francisco to inquire as to an agent for you? Well, here is the answer of the gentleman to whom I wrote, Mr. Sumner Bugbee. He has been familiar with such matters for some years, and I think you would be safe in accepting the services of any person whom he might recommend. Of course, I know nothing about terms. etc. but you do. Now your ghost story - that of the girl who hanged herself in the Philadelphia house, ever been used in any way? I thought of using in as a basis for a story, but was alarmed to hear that Robert Dale Owen, in his "Footfalls", had made use of a story of that sort which you had furnished him; so I have been deterred from using is as yet. I hope Owen has not spoiled my market; but I don't want to seem to take my materials at second hand. You should read my story in the Jan Scribner when it comes out. It will edify, amuse, etc, you. Are you coming this way any more, ever. You are the most faithless of your sex. I have chased you like an ignis fatuous this many months, and have not yet caught up with you. I don't believe I ever shall. So I shall make up my mind that Miss Dickinson is a myth. The newspapers talk of her and her name is on the lost of eminent speakers. But she is only a delusion, or tradition which eludes the grasp of the patient seeker after the Good, the Beautiful and the True. There is no speculation in those eyes - at least not while Pacific Mail is down to 80 and I am ruined in the fall.Still, how are you, anyhow? Have you recovered from the shock of the defeat? if the great and good N.G.? and do you see the spiteful paragraphs which are going the rounds about W.R.? You see how dreadful a thing it is to dwell in the fierce light which beats upon a throne, even when that throne is the tripod of the great dismal organ. Also, I am anxious to know how you are thinking on the theatrical project. And there we many things about which are meant to hold high converses with you. But, since you are such an elusive sprite, I do not expect to behold you. Meantime, accept my wishes for great comfort and ease in soul and body. With respectful obeisance, Yours, Noah Brooke N New York. Jan 15.1873. It was very good of you my friend, to write me a note from somewhere out in the wilderness on the First of January. The extreme yellowness of the sheet was quite obscured in the friendly flashes which you hand had left thereon. The same to you!Sorry. I did not see the Lily of France because I understood the young woman made a fizzle, and I have a constitutional objection to fizzles. She had a clear perception of the character, but she lacked the physical strength which the piece demanded - so the best critics say. In our millenium, women shall have all the physical strength they want. By the way - when are you going to bring your Jean d'Arc to New York? You know there is a visit to Mrs Runkle's, a fine=joking and much gossip thereabout - all depending on that event to say nothing of the lecture which I have never heard. Honestly I tell you that I have but male=beer opinion of the Sons of Girl. They are ignorant and selfish, or they are chiefly led and before united by ignorant and selfish men. They are feared becausethey have votes. Betwixt us - they are very humbuggy. The G. M. O. provides. Reid being regal in his splendors, he gets on admirably and make a capital paper, I think. It would seem that so much talent and enterprise must pay. It will - I believe, though it is too soon to be sure of it now. We are to have a new building next summer and appearances generally are flattering and encouraging Reid is Editor and Manager: the best of the price is as before , mine being the laboring man. Shall I not see you ever that I may say I am truly your friend - Noah Brooks. New York, Mar 11.12 73. Among the very first of the claimants on my time today, my friend, is your long unanswered screed from Auburn. I mean [the] to go on a perusal among picture galleries and side with Mrs Runkle; but it has been raining furiously and so she came not in. Now that the sun has come out in splendor don't she feel enraged that she has missed it? She was going to see and be in the Hampton College singers tonight. But now- Reid did not seem disturbed about the paragraph which engaged,you to him. On the contrary, he was rather tickled and took the 9 which I showed him and carefully stowed it away. You ask me what is to be done with American journalism under such circumstances, the answer is obvious: Marry it. I see no other way out of the difficulty. Lest you should think Reid the only victim yoked to your car. I enclose you an anonymous note on the subject which I recieved. By what right do you go about spoiling young men's chances in the market matrimonial? You found out from Mrs Runkle all about that Tribune editorial that caused you so much uneasiness. It was queer that you should have seemed to be wounded in the home of your friends, and by the hand of one of your very dearest friends. I thought it isn't Anna in my duty to tell Mrs R how you felt about it, and so she - in great sorrow and astonishment - wrote. It was intended as a grand puff of you. Reid so considered it, and so did Mrs R. But she has, I trust, made all plain to you. What do you think of Colfax? His bash was always a frail affair, and now that it has gone to wreck, I am not astonished. But there are people not few who still believe him a saintly victim of circumstances. If he would only crawl into his shell and stay there, he might be forgotten: but he persists in jabbering. Have you before seen the lovely poem which I enclose? Emma is evidently a nice girl; I wish she would sling poetry at me in this reckless manner, but she ought to have told us what she means by "And joys, as woes, have it"-; it is too fine for common comprehension.I was at Mr Bullard's last week to dine with Miss Faithfull. Miss F i? now on her western prowl : so you may cross her orbit somewhere. I send you a scrap from the G.M.O,. which is authentic. A true lady wrote it herself and sent it to me from Boston. The G.M.O. flourishes; has bowled down one or two victims in the [credited?] business and is now turing its attention to the [[lorisiaen?] revolution and kindred topics. We are to have a new building forthwith, which shall be the perfect flower of journalistic architecture, if there be such a branch of the art. I am hard at work, as usual, and am writing various and sundry editorial screed for Scrib. See "New Language Wanted" notices of Hudson's journalising, and Kings's Kentucky's line in April circular. I have not seen Garnet yes, wee shall go this week if the fater consents. Will see it for you as well. Fare the well and may you find " and joy" as loves, rarest," if you like that sort of thing cordially thy friend - BNew York, April 7, 1873 I am not going to write you a letter, my friend, only a note; so I take a small sheet, lest I be betrayed into extravagances. It is too late in the day to do more. So you don't like the West and its hideous climate. No more do I; here we have no more snow, thank Heaven! but the weather is gloomily gray and warm –the sort of weather in which suicide would be justifiable, if ever. Are you not 'most done with your Western people? It seems an age since you went off on that wild tangent. Don't think of keeping on to the Yellowstone country. You cannot "go it alone" in that wild region, I am sure. If we could get up a party, now , there would be some sense in it; but I do not believe it possible for anybody to get along [along] alone; the country is unsettled; and; has no accommodations for travel. We have been having a nice time here lately. Mrs Moulton has been here; also Miss Bross. like it was at Mrs Bullard's of course and I saw a great deal of her during her stay, What do you think of her? Miss Bross and I were out to The Wonderful Woman's one night and had a jolly visit. You should have been there to have made things altogether lovely and of good report. Also, we went to see David Garrick for you, and to see Boucicault's Daddy O'Dowd for ourselves. Both were good, and as religiously thought of you and how much you would have enjoyed the chorus.Me family ar Brightheck are well and in good spirits as well, they are fixing up their home wonderfully this summer : papering, painting, piano and all sorts of worldly vanities are the order of the day. Mr Runkle's number is 320 Broadway, corner of Pearl St. What do you think of Emily Faithfull by and large? Between you and I , in the strictest confidence, I think she is rather superficial with a slight inclination to clap-trap. Don't you never tell on me! You know 1873 times more about the woman question than she does. But this is gossip. Mum's the word. Just in case in I get time, I shall write you a real letter. Meantime, accept my cordial good wishes. Your friend, B. N New York- May 16th [*[1873.]*] I heard of you, my friend, as flitting through the city, the other day and never so much as telling us that you were coming. You know that I would have been glad to be called to attend you if you needed attendance - and to see you for a moment if you had only sent me a message. I cordially welcome you back to civilized regions once more. You have brought the spring with you, for since you arrived the trees have begun to hang out their banners and the breezes are more like summer than they were while the north winds were blowing and the violets mourned your absence. By your own account, however, I should say you had a good share of the vanities of this life while out in the Western wilderness. Aimee, Rootu, Neilson - what more could the child want? your judgment of Miss Neilson is very just, to my mind, and she is awfully pretty on the stage. They say she is very good in "Amy Robsart", a new piece now running at Rootu's I shall see her therein tomorrow and will report the facts duly to you. By the way, do you see that somebody has dramatized "The New Magdalen" for Miss Ledery? You know we agreed that it was a capital subject for a play: and is thought somebody else, not willing to wait until the story is done.I shall pay for my own cabbage=by bouquet, thank you, when I sit in the stage box and applaud your debut to the very echoes of the roof. What play does your majesty propose to hoist on a waiting world with? And what theatre is to be illuminated by your grand coup? I would I were a play=wright, but I fear I am not. Were I, you should have the crowning effort of my life. Such as it may be, however, [*N*] however, you are welcome to all my industry and skill in that direction When are you coming to New York? and do you walk the tight rope, after the high old Western fashion, when you come? It were a shame to give your graceful gymnastics to the Minnesotians and put us off with mere intellectual grand and lofty tumbling. I have been sorry to learn that you have not quite forgiven Mrs Runkle for her article which offended you but was meant to be so kind. It is allclear enough to me now, though I was in a maze about it at first. Do not, I entreat you, suffer any resentment to turn against Mrs R. who loves you so well and truly and who does not deserve the pain she would suffer if she thought you at all estranged. Perhaps i am misled by my own fancies; but I judged from what Mrs Bullard said that you had not quite recovered from the wound which your good and true friend made so unconsciously. I have not ventures to say a word to Mrs Runkle about the matter; for I hope she does not know that you were offended, I don't believe you will let so small a matter alienate your best friend. The fact is there are not enough good people in the world for s to be able to lose one without suffering damage. you should have been here at the Faithful farewell luncheon. It was very jolly, they say. I had that day on unfortunate young lady, who was in trouble, on my hands, and had to give up going, much to my regret. But they lunched and talked.I want you to see the biographical sketch of Harte which I have written in the June Scribner, and tell me if I was wise in putting my name thereto. I was disinclined to do so, but was persuaded by the editors. You know it is a difficult thing to handle, considering how Harte's personal feelings have been bruited about. But I think I managed it skillfully. Come over and see us soon. Cordially your friend, Noah Brooks Miss A.E.D. New York. June 14, 1873 If I owe you ten letters, or even two, why, I am an even Jew. Am I not always writing to you, in season and out of season; so that you have serious thought of telling me that I am a nuisance? Of course. Who dramatizes? Well Charles [Gal] Gaylor does most of Daly's work, I believe, and there are not a few nameless Bohemians who do that sort of thing; but they are know only to the trade.Bronson C. Howard, presently of the Tribune, a man of good parts and a pleasant fellow, might do something of the sort. He wrote "Saratoga" and "Diamonds" and has "adapted" several pieces. I will sound him if you say so. I hear that John Brougham is to dramatize a story for you; and that Nasly is to write you a tragedy - (?) I have heard that O. J. is to be married to a Miss Abbott, a daughter of J.S.C.X.Y.Z. of that [ill] ilk; and that she is 38; and that she is or has been, a cripple. Is that, think you, the young lady who is lovely in mind and person who will marry our venerable friend? Strange! all the old chaps get married off and we young people stand no chance at all. Oliver is 64 if he is a day. I saw Fechter only in Monte Cristo and the Corsican Brothers. Hay saw him in Ruy Blas and thought him only tolerable, showing occasional sparks of genius, but, on the whole a great disappointment. Miss Nielson you will see, is coming back again in the fall. I have laid away your questions about Brougham there and will hurl them at Winter when next I see him. Can you make your visit at the Runkles' on Saturday, June 28? I have made an engagement out there that day. Conditioned on your coming; would go out sooner, but don't see how I can. Try and make your arrangement for that date. That is a nice girl. It would be jolly if you could. Mrs Runkle would expect us then, she says- Cordially your friend, Brooks. Miss A. E. D.P.S I met your brother John and wife at Schane’s today. They were “garoping” and pictures And I had a pleasant chat with them. I hope you Will have time to go there and see one or two nice Things when you next come to town. Let me tell you a nice piece of gossip—denatured at that, Which you are not to divulge. I was told the other Day that O.J. Tried to persuade Mrs. L. Code to get a Divorce from her husband and marry him! What a naughty, naughty world we live in! Which reminds me that I caried a lot of mean paragraph's about you to send to you, but my heart failed Me, and I would not do it. B. N New York. July 10, 1873. By the enclosed note of Mr Winter's, you will see that Mr Booth is in Connecticut for the summer. Of course, Winter could not suggest any way by which you could secure a formal introduction to him, as he does not know of any mutual acquaintance who may be at [?????]. But: if I were you, I would address Witness Bullard on the subject, as she knows everybody. Some time ago, at your request, I asked Winter about the play of [Evan the Serf?], he could not then remember much about it, but he has looked up his data, and the result you have in the note enclosed. How are you, anyhow? Have you charming weather at Swampscott? I should suppose so, because even here it is lovely now. Today is cool, bright and breezy, in fact, we have had no hot weather since the fourth. Still, I long for a smell of the brine. A lady, writing from the seashore says: I "Go see what I have sawn; go feel what I have felt; Men rise at early morn And smell what I have smelt". Which is certainly poetry if not reason and rhyme. Have not seen Mrs R??kle since our raid; my laddies are still there, and I purpose going out next Sunday and bringing them back with me. Shall I see you in town this summer, or shall it be on the Enchanted Isles of Shoals? Till we meet your friend and servant NB. Miss A.E.D.New York Tribune. New York, July 7th 1873 Dear Mr Brooks: Your note of Saturday received. The [present] dwelling . place of Edwin Booth is Coscob, near Stanford, Connecticut. A letter would reach him, directed to Boch's Theatre, N.Y., care of J. H. Magonigle. He is no longer the manager of the theatre. the new manager is Mr J. B. Booth, his elder brother; and he is in town, at the theatre, preparing for the new season. The dramatic subject of which you lately spoke to me is treated, I think, in the play of "The Serf: or Love Levels All,: by Tom Taylor, done at the London Olympic Theatre, in 1865, and afterwards, I believe, acted here, at Welleck's. There is an old piece, in a kindred subject, called "Isidor and Olga", by Repach: played at Covent Garden, London, in 1828.And I think Sheridan Knowls had a shy at the same theme - but I wont say positively. When "The Serf" was . acted at Wallack's, Mr E. L. Davenport, Miss Herrigan, Mr [Fisha], and Mr Hollard were in the cast. I only remember that I wrote an article on the subject. Miss Hannigan had the leading female part. With much respect yours faithfully William Wirth. Noah Brooks Esquire.New York. July. 31. '73. Where in the world are you anyhow? When I last heard from you you were proposing a flight to the mountains , and I thought to get a card giving your new address at some poky place in the altitudinous interior. But nary word. Soto conclude that you have. by time, suffered a sea change of heart and consent to remain by the ocean. You may do well if you stay. Will you go to the Isles of Shoals anon? I hope so, for I do very much determine to go myself, leaving here about the 23d of August, and stopping over Sunday in Boston. Mrs. L.C. de. also promises to be there about that time. So you see we shall have good company. Read my review of Mrs Thaxter's book in the August Scribner? I shall stop at the Oceanic House. where some friends of mine are now abiding in great comfort. W. R. is advertising for a house- to cost $40,000 and must be on Murray Hill. Is he to bloom out intomatrimony and an establishment do you suppose? Mrs Milton is still at Long Branch, but I have not heard a word from the Runkles since they left. They may have gone off into space for all I know. The town is fearfully hot, dull and wearisome. I long for a taste of the briny. Yours cordially. N Brooks Miss A.E.D. 2. Wilkie Collins is a nice old chap, looks like his wood-cut portraits, likes a glass of wine and cigar, tells a good story and is altogether a quiet, clever and gentlemanly British person. I read his "Moonstone" when I was an infant and recollect it as very blood-curdling and entrancing. 3. Now Stage? I was in hopes you had outgrown that passion. Well. you are the architect of your own fortunes and none can hold your [done] dome for you. I predict a great success on the first input, andwill please you and honor myself, by bringing you the grandest bouquet money can buy. After that - by the way, did you read the critique on Virginia Vaughn's debut, in the Golden Age? Mrs Moulton is here. I saw her today at Mrs Bullard's She is to be here a week or two. On Sunday, Dec 14 , there is to be a tea=fight at Madame B's in her honor, and on Friday, the 19th, a party. [did] ditto , ditto. Would you not like to be there? Well, you may. Mistress Bullard made me say that if you were hovering anywhere within striking distance, you would delight her soul by coming. So I have discharged my errand by so telling you. Oh, did you know that Jessie Bross was to [w] wed? On Christmas day? and to Mr Lloyd, Enfant Secretary of the Free Trade League? He is a nice young chap,. but too much her junior to make things altogether lovely. I would have made her a much more appropriate husband , if she had only said she wanted one. I spent Thanksgiving at Mrs Runkle's and had a good time.being truly rewarded for my friendly devotion in going out to break up the familiness of the party; family parties are so dull, you know. The Madame has been ill; is now better and seriously contemplates going to Chicago to witness the execution on Christmas. But we won't go. Excuse this unconscionably long letter. I did not mean to inflict so much on you when I began; but I had two letters to answer. Always your friend Noah Brooks P.S. 4 - John hay wrote "Wife Beaters" NB New York, Dec 7 1873 When you write to a person, asking questions which you expect to be answered, you ought to let aforesaid person know where your address is. Here I have been waiting for weeks to answer two of your charming screeds - one from Antioch and one from Pittsburg; but how was I to know where to send a letter, when I knew that you were not at [*60 60 3600 640 60 38400 338400 15360000 00 640 60 38.400*]1710 Locust, when at home and were just now prancing all over the country? Today, however, Mrs Bullard said that a letter sent "just to plain Philadelphia" would reach you. so here goes. 1. The Gales of Shoals are just lovely". The climate is not of the earth, earthy not yet of the sea. Say. It is as if another planet. a coat of rarified and [nobl] sublimed mountain air, invigorating, yet soothing and lulling. It is a [lotos ?]-eating life one leads there. We find every sense alert, and the shining sea,the azure wave, the soft sails gliding into the vague horizon, the floating birds overhead. all give us pleasure that is akin to pain; yet we dream into the soft lapping of the sea on the grey rocks and ledges; we are content to be let alone of human kind; and so we like "our island home is far away beyond the mane. We will no longer roam". Even in Star Island, where the Oceanic dispenses the comforts of a city hotel and all the dear delights of doing and dressing as you please. Of Mrs Thaxter I can say little for I know less. I met her but once. She is a sort of lioness at the Gales and is so much visited and quizzed that she resented my call as an impertinence or took it lustily as a tribute to her superior genius. I am not sure which. Anyhow, I was not favorablyimpressed, and went away sorrowful, for I had great expectations, yet, she is a nice comely person with a Greek head, figure liked L.O.M. and dressed in good taste. I like her books very much, though her poetry, like chocolate creams, has too much of a muchness and soon palls on the taste. You missed it that you did not go to the Isles of Shoals last summer. It would have much amazed you. I am cooking no "gost story", but am writing a seaside story for boys, for the St Nicholas. Happy thought! to publish, some day, a volume of "Seaside Stories", made up from those I have written and intend to write Copyright secured; keep off the premises! [*N*] New York, Jan. 17. '74 Because I wasn't there - that's why. They all say that the party was a grand success, as all of Mrs Bullard's parties are. Would I had been there, as Hamlet pathetically observes. the Great Moral Organ is unusually exacting this winter, and I go nowhere. Mrs Youman's [*When are you going to Berkely Heights?*]had one of her charming receptions last Wednesday, also, but I did not go thence, either, for obvious reasons an herein=before stated. More's the pity. There was much and sincere lamentation over this failure of miss Dickinson to appear at the Bullard party, and everybody who was there has since asked me if I had any idea as to what region of space you had since disappeared into. I have always said that I hadn't, but suppose you would return with Donati's comet it and other eccentric celestial phenomena - when you got ready. Your unaccountable disappearance was, next to true party, one of the events of theday. Willie Winter, possibly, bears on a little too hard in his criticism of "Astray" as such; but he certainly reflects the average opinion of all well=balanced male minds. I find that womenhave such peculiar views on the general cubject her I am forced to currender all discussion. I don't know anything about it - for one. I visited Hartford, a week or two ago, and spent Sunday with the Warner's; had a good time and you [well] were well talked about. Mrs Perkins, of Hartford, is an old playmate of mine and a dear friend. Have you read the "gilded age"? If not, read it and be sorry. Always your Friend, NB.No 30 West 239 st. New York July 12 [*[1874]*] Do you want to know why I left the Tribune . Sam Bowles says you do, and he added that I had better tell you myself. So I will. The fact is, Reid has become so infernally (excuse the word) Toptoptical that there is no living with him. For a long time I have borne hiswhim and insolence, until I found that he mistook my patience and magnanimity for mean-spiritedness. He sought to impose on me in all sorts of brutal and ungentlemanly ways; so I concluded that I might as well leave peaceably. A row was inevitable if I staid. I hate scenes and unpleasantnesses; and I gave Reid notice that I should leave after the expiration of a week. He flew into a great rage - sent me an abusive note, and - to cap the ridiculous climax - forbade my even entering the office after my duties on the paper came to an end! Poor child! He has the worst of it. He lost a faithful and hard-working assistant by his foolishness - and hurt himself more than me.After a fortnight's furlough I accepted a place in The Times- Think of that! - and am now writing reviews on that paper with a night duty of only about three hours, which is such a respite that I continually fancy that I am loafing and must go to work by and by. My new place fits admirably; I write no politics and have a very easy time of it. [*N*] During my furlough, I paid a long visit to Hartford five days - and saw much of the Warners during my stay. They talked a great deal about you and still cling to the hope that you will visit them this summer. S.B. and family came down and had a lawn party at Warner's while I was there. Great talks, of course. Sallie, you know, was duly married and sailed for Europe last Saturday. S.B. is still here and dines with me tonight [and] at the Lotos. Shall I save a plate for you? The Warners go to Egypt in October. C.D.W. is to write a book on the aforesaid country and expects to make a lot of money out of it. Sold by subscription only. Price 5". Why don't you go with them. I would if I were you. Mrs Runkle is as such as usual - for her - being somewhat run down by domestic cares, not weather and such small trials. Mrs Dodge is out there or was last week - in miserable health, and trying to tone herself up for the summer. What do you think of T.T. The general appearances indicate that he has failed to make good any point against Beecher, and the popular opinion is against him.Where are you coming in to New York? Soon I hope: and dont be mean as you were last time, and come and go without letting me know where to find you. A card or message sent to my street address - as above - will always reach me, as I am never far away from home during the day. With cordial regards, Your friend, Brooks. Miss Anna E. DickinsonNew York Nov 9. '74 The fact is, my friend, I have been expecting you here any time these six months past, and so sent you no other acknowledgment of your letter than the copy of the times containing the paragraph about you and your work which I wrote. -That's a long sentence! you seem to havebeen more than usually comet=like and irresponsible this summer, and people in these parts have given up the prospect of seeing you,. Last week, in the full faith of your being here to see Cushman's farewell, I promised myself the pleasure of accompanying you to the show. We went, a lot of us, and the occasion was really a memorable one. Still, I think the affair rather forced and choppy. I don't suppose she will ever go on the state again after such a demonstration, but she will read everlastingly. The engagement has been a very successful one and she has played well. They say the opera [i good] is good this year though not great . I have not heard Albarri; but she is a favorite - not like Nilsson, however. I heard Ruy Blas, which has a souvenir of Travatore and Traviata mixed up in it. It is not a great work.Yes I promise myself the pleasure of seeing K.F.'s debut. She don't want her friends to go; so of course they all will. Daly brings out "masks and faces" Three days before-hand, being put up to it by the women. I suppose I want you to see Col Sellers while you are here. You had a jolly good notice in the Globe. You must have captivated one reporter at least. The Runkles are well; the Warners abroad and we anti-Grant men like the election news. Yours always. NBrooks[*[187-?]*] No 30 West 23d st. Tuesday As I take my departure for Boston tomorrow morning, I shall not be able to call on you before Saturday. I intend to return before Saturday night. [we] in order to attend you and Mrs Bullard to Col Sellers's reception; but if you should have other plans for thatnight, be good enough to send word to me. I enclose you S.B's note in reply to the invitation I sent him to participate in the "richness" of last week, of which a visit to you and Mrs Bullard formed a part. Your friend always, Noah Brooks Miss A. E. D.New York March 20 [*[ 1872]*] By the enclosed scrap from the Great Moral Organ, my esteemed friend, you will see that your lightest wish is anticipated, as the cheap novelists say. Walter Brackett has had scant justice done him by the New York press, but I rejoice to say that the G. M. O. have done its part.so I must have my say. I was the unseasonable Santa Claus who sent you "Scribners" for March, for which liberty I apologize, but I believe I had told the story to Mrs. Runkle one night when you were present so wanted to see if you would be interested in its recall. An officer in the Navy, stationed at Philadelphia, wrote me a letter asking for further particulars, as he was on the coast of Japan in the Iroquois when the Balboa was picked up. So there is one of the elect deceived. Still, do you know I can't share your governor enthusiasm in the the art of Mr. Brackett? He has done wonderfully with his fish, but he has done no other part well. His landscape is intolerable and the water is a mist. But this is only repetition of the Tribune, and I run the risk of incurring your dispeasure, which is worse than losing caste as a conscientious and 'judgmatical" critic. But I am nothing if not candid (which is the true secret of my want of success with your exacting sex) andI was out to Berkeley reception weeks ago last Sunday and had a delightful little visit, as usual. There was no company, and we had ourselves all to ourselves, which was a signally successful arrangement, as we three each and all agreed. Only we did say that we should have only desired Jeanne d'Arc to make the quartet complete without giving anything but a fuller harmony and more tranquil completeness. In all friendliness, yours, Noah BrooksNew York. Feb 28. 1872. No, my friend, I did not go to New Jersey on that unlucky Saturday. The fates were "agin me", and just out of meer contrairiness, I supposed my credo would not let up on me. One of our most useful men in the office, he who makes up the paper, Mr Reeve, was taken sick in the most inconvenientand wholely unreasonable manner , and I had to take his place at a moment's notice. So I fain gave up my jaunt. And, do you know, I am just depraved enough to [fell] feel the least bit tickled at the idea that you could not go, either. "Mine is something in the misfortunes of our friends" you know, and so I quote that threadbare saying in defense of my satisfaction. Since I could not have a good time, I have the satisfaction now of knowing that my unhappy imaginings of how delightfully you were spending the day, all together, were, after all, quite unwarranted and needless. I have the promise of a visit to "Berkeley Heights" (for that is the new name of our New Jersey place of rest) on Sunday next. And, more than that, I am permitted to look forwardto a certain Saturday night in March, when I shall hope to meet you there. In the meantime, I shall trace your flight through the Medic districts by such tokens in our exchanges as I may find, and shall think of you pleasantly as pluming your wings for wider sweeps from day to day. But I shall be glad when you will [sho] smooth you plumage and sit on the floor at Mrs Runkle's - Dr Ripley is not half so sensible , nor half so sensitive as you and I - consequently, he is hard to be moved to admiration. But I shall do my best to make him see something trully admirable in "Medea". "the Soul in Prison", and "the M.S. of S. Alexius", but , then though we can supply material, we cannot give our appreciativeness, you know. Yours Sincerely. Noah Brooks.Noah Brooks