Anna Dickinson General Correspondence Sullivan, Margaret 1878 - 80The Times Office, Chicago, Jan. 16, 1878 Dear Madam The slight personal acquaintance which I had the pleasure of making with you at Mrs. Doggett's in this city, does not warrant me, so much as your character and my sympathy with you, in asking you to receive kindly, to encourage, and to advise the bearer of this note, Miss Emilie A. Gavin, of Chicago.Miss Gavin enjoys an extensive acquaintance in this city, in which she is held in the highest and warmest esteem. Of her talents, you must judge. Her ambition is a worthy one. I sincerely hope that you will soon be on the boards again; and when you come west , you may depend upon a hearty welcome. Very truly yours, Margaret F. Sullivan, Ed'l writer, Times. Miss Anna Dickinson.No. 378 Oak st., Chicago, Aug. 14, 1878 Dear Miss Dickinson: Your note of the 11th with the accompanying photograph are on my table. Thanks for both. I am very glad to learn that your way lies westward, and I hope that your journey may be made under a star, if not of Empire, at least of good fortune. Your note leaves me in the dark as to whether your coming is professional or not. I should be sorry to have you appear here on the stage until after the opening of the regular2 dramatic season, for, owing to many causes, the theatrical business of the city is dead, and I am not sure that it can be revived earlier than October. We went to see Signor Majeroni and his wife play "Camille" last night at Hooley's. The audience numbered 200 or less, yet the signor is the best Armand I ever saw. He was with Salvini and he is a relative of Mme. Ristori. Now was the audience fit though few. 3 As to Miss Gavin, I did not intend that she should add to your burdens They were great enough She would have told you of the many freinds you have out here, and you would have found in her a girl of splendid character, - noble womanly in standards, and very determined to achieve success. But there is time enough for meeting in the future. I shall be very glad to hear what you are doing and intending, and to print as much of what you write to me as you wish to be used, or are willing to have used.4 Please do not ever thank me for doing simply what I could or can, for we all owe something to each other, and this duty deserves no compliments. Do you think The Times a "bad newspaper"? It is bad just in proportion as life is bad; and, to my knowledge, it is is truthful, intrepid, and just;- and fairer to women than any other newspaper in the country. I wish life were better; then the daily photograph would please us both more. Sincerely yours, Margaret F Sullivan. Miss Dickinson.Chicago 378 Oak Street. Jan. 21, 1879 My Dear Miss Dickinson: I was not at the Times office during last week. Your letter has lain there until to-day. I am sorely perplexed between my will to do anything you request and my judgment as to the way of doing it. When Mr McCullough called at our house, or during the odd periods I saw him while rehearsal was in progress. I might have made ten spoken words go further than a thousand written ones. But2 your previous letter left me no liberty. I was to watch his playing for the purpose of telling you what I thought of his ability to create a part - you gave me no idea of the nature of the part; and you did not say that I might mention your name to him at all. I did, however, in a way which was in keeping with the spirit at your command. I wanted to get, if possible, at his prejudices toward you, and I succeeded only partially. Personally, he is very friendly toward you, and did not appear to think that I censured too strongly the metropolitan style of unbought "criticism". He spoke 3 Chicago 378 Oak Street. 187 favorably of the literary merit of "Anne Boleyn" - beyond that, circumstances prevented me from making inquiry or eliciting information. I am sure of this: that he has no prejudices to overcome in your regard. He is generous - chivalrous. I found this out in his conduct toward Miss Gavin, - who, you will be glad to learn, - is doing well. She is playing with him in Boston this week. As to "propping": perhaps is not what he needs for much as being persuaded to make up his mind.4 she is so busy - so much distracted - that he cannot find time to deliberate always, and presents the aspect of one mentally unconcentrated outside his personal dramatic affairs. If, as I understand from your letter, he has actually promised to bring out you and "Aurelian", I think he will keep his word, and I should be very glad for you, "Aurelian", and him. I consider him the best actor on our boards. In an article on "Idealism in Dramatic Art" I have endeavored to express my notions at some length in regard to him. If you have not seen it, I will try 5 Chicago 378 Oak Street. ___________________187 to find a copy for you. But as to my writing to him: I am perplexed. It might do you harm instead of good. I have no suspicion of the reason why you say he has confidence in my judgment. I hesitate to write to him because, really, I fear he might think me guilty of impertinence, - our acquaintance is so slight. But he will be here in about six weeks. He will,- I have no doubt, call upon us. I anticipate seeing him with somefrequency, as I shall probably get to the theater after with Miss Gavin who is to support him here. Would it not be better to wait until he comes? Have you an understanding as to where and when "Aurelian" is to be thought out? Have you printed it? I would be materially aided if I could speak more intelligently about it. As to keeping your counsel, I shall not fail in that, at least. It would be a most fortunate thing for you to get back upon the stage in his company, and I sincerely hope that you will. Please use my home address. Yours very truly, Margaret Sullivan Chicago, May 13, 1880 Dear Miss Dickinson: Before you engage with those amusing mortals, the new Paul and Virginia, you may be interested in reading some of the late papers. They are ragged registers, most of them having gone under the scissors. I hope your rest,—-since I left you,—-has done you good. Sincerely Yours, Margaret [?] SullivanMarg Sullivan