NAWSA General Correspondence Bushee, Alice H. Dear Miss Blackwell, I send you a prison card this time - the verse by William Troy and the drawing by a friend of his. If he has sent you one, you can use this for some one else. He told me of his letter from you and was quite happy over it. I am going to send him the poem on "The Bible" which you translated from the Yiddish and came out in the Herald this week. I hope you are well and will have a happy Christmas, knowing how much you have helped others. Cordially Alice H. Bushee 129 GREAT ROAD WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND Nov.10,1938 Dear Miss Blackwell: When I was at my brother's in Arlington after finishing the summer school, I hoped to be able to call on you but there was so much to be done to get the aprtment ready to rent that I was not able to. I am writing now partly to tell you this, but chiefly to send you a message from my friend Mr. Troy in Charlestown. I had sent him a book of translations of Spanish poetry made by unknown poets and he has enjoyed it very much but makes the following comments: "One thing it showed me and that is that my opinion of Miss Blackwell's poetic abilities wasn't in the least exaggerated. In fact I haven't done her sufficient justice, and I wish you might tell her when you write again. Her translation of Rubén Darío's "A Margarita Debayle" is so much better than the example given in this book that comparison is out of the question. I'll type out the translation so you may send it to her, if you wish for her own satisfaction. It should make her extremely proud of her own skill and the poetic instinct she must possess to have wrought such beautiful lines. I still insist that the translator of poetry who succeeds in retaining all the beauty of the original is entitled to as much credit as the author, excluding perhaps two percent for so-called originality. My views on originality are contained in the query: "Is there anything new under the sun?" His address is W.H. Troy, Box 100, Charlestown, Care Mr. Lanagan. He can receive all letters but it is difficult for him to write many. I do hope you are having a pleasant winter and that I may be able to see you before long. Very sincerely Alice H. Bushee 129 GREAT ROAD WOONSOCKET RHODE ISLAND April 15, 1942 My dear Miss Blackwell: I want to thank you for your Easter message which brings strength and comfort to so many of your friends and tell you what Mr. Troy wrote me from the State Prison. He said: “Miss Blackwell sent me her usual Easter Greeting. She must be a lovely person and one of the first things I do will be to thank her in person for her kindly interest, when I am released. Maybe she would like me to read aloud to her from her translated Spanish poems - Perhaps my favorite “Margarita “ or “Las manecitas”. He is very appreciative of all that is done for him and has a sensitive beauty-loving nature which has made these long years in prison very hard for him to bear. We expect him to be out in another year. I do hope you are feeling as well as usual and that you have many letters from your friends. I have very pleasant memories of you at Wellesley College. Very cordially Alice H. Bushee WELLESLEY COLLEGE WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF SPANISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE June 28,1919 My dear Miss Blackwell: -- I am very much interested in the renewed project of publishing a book of Spanish American verse with translations. I cannot say that it would be a "best seller", but I feel that there is a place for such a work. A number of colleges are putting in courses in Spanish American literature, as we have at Wellesley and I should think a work of that kind would be very valuable for reference. I know that Miss Coe has had much difficulty in finding copies of some of the poems that she has wanted for her classes in that course. I have been planning for some time to write an article on translations from the Spanish for the benefit of those who would like some knowledge of Spanish literature and do not know the language and of course this book of yours would be of importance to refer to if it were published or in press. I certainly hope now that the attention of the U.S. has been called to Spanish America that the publishers will be farsighted enough to lead the people in the matter of literature and not simply wait until there is a demand. Very sincerely yours Alice H. Bushee [*Alice Bushee 182 page*] 129 GREAT ROAD WOONSOCKET RHODE ISLAND April 3, 1939 My dear Miss Blackwell: The other day I received a copy of your poem translating a part of Gabriela Mistral's "Hymn to the Tree'. Mr. Troy had cut it from the Monitor and knew I would like to see it. Just now I am not receiving the paper. I enclose here a copy of the review he wrote for the local paper here after my book on Tirso de Molina was published. I asked him to have it rather popular in tone as anything else would not be read here I feared. I thought you might like to see what he could write. He wrote me some time ago that in a letter to you he had ventured to differ from you in his ideas concerning poetry and he hoped it had not offended you. I assured him that you were not that kind, to take offense because some one disagreed with you but that you had many correspondents and could not write. I can help him in some ways but in others I am not able to satisfy his desire for a mind-to-mind talk on certain subjects. When over Guillermo Enrique Johnston is his pen name – his first names in Spanish and his mother's maiden name. 129 GREAT ROAD - WOONSOCKET - RHODE ISLAND the time comes for you to send a note to answer his letter it would be very much appreciated. He is almost alone with his books though surrounded by nearly 900 men. No home, no parents are the cause of a good deal of his going astray when a boy. The immediate cause of his sentence in Charlestown was a series of hold-up robberies in one night for which he was given a very "illogical" and "excessive" senten to quote the words of an official. Ten years he has been in prison already. If only they would let him out so that he could help me finish another book while I still have some eyes and strength! We are both very grateful to you for your interest and kindness to him. I do hope your eyes are no worse and we were glad to know from your Christmas card that you could distinguish a little. Very cordially yours Alice H. Bushee Please remember me most kindly to Mrs. Thyne 11 RICHARDSON AVENUE ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS Oct. 23,1937 My dear Miss Blackstone: I went to see Mr. Troy yesterday. He brought down my book to read me some of the poems that he especially enjoyed and I carried him the one you sent. I told him about my call on you and then opened the book and showed the signature and it would have done your heart good to see the happy look on his face. His eyes have acquired such a sad expression during these years that I consider it an achievement to dispel it for a few minutes. He read me two or three aloud. He has almost finished the book and I guess has read and studied every one. He has found a number of places which the proofreader overlooked in the Spanish part! You remember I said he had a proof reader's eye. When you get out the third edition you must have him proof read it I am going to copy what he said about the book in his last letter before I went over yesterday. "Some Spanish American Poets is taking every spare moment I have. It was a genine godsend to me at this time and helped so much to bring me out of myself. And successfully too, for though I can't lay claim to your qualification as a valiente chico, I'm more nearly normal than when I last saw you. I haven't finished the entire book and yet I already have my favorites. Heretofore I never came across anything by Rubén Darío that thrilled me but in this group he has one that is like a spring tonic. I'll bring it up and read it during our visit; you'll love it. Gabriela Mistral has many beautiful ones in the collection too and later I'll make out a classification of my favorites and their order." The one he noted especially and read aloud to me was "A Margarita Debayle" He is very appreciative and enjoys the best. I thank you again for sending him the book. He said at once that he must write you and he will as soon as he can get permission. They can write only a limited number of letters without permission. You said you might put his name on your Christmas list and if you do please add to the address I gave you Care Mr. Lanagan, Box 100 Charlestown. Mr. Lanagan is the warden and I always put it on my letters. Very cordially yours Alice H. Bushee Miss Bushee Wellesley College Wellesley 81, Massachusetts Department of Spanish January 26, 1924 My dear Miss Blackwell: Since Miss Bushee is in Spain this year I shall have to answer your letter for her. In regard to entertaining Sra. Mistral here at Wellesley Miss Pendleton says that the College will be very glad to have her here. For the sake of the housekeeping arrangements in Tower Court Miss Pendleton would be glad to know the appropriate date of Sra. Mistral's arrival, and probable length of her visit. We have asked Sr. Americo Castro, who takes the place of Sr. Onis in Columbia Univ. for the second semester, to come to give the one formal Spanish lecture which the department offers each year. As yet he has not accepted. We should like to know whether Sra. Mistral could plan to give a lecture here in case Sr. Castro is unable to lecture for us. We can afford to have only one lecture each you so must forego the pleasure of hearing both. I do hope that your eyes may not trouble you for long. Cordially yours, Ada M. Coe Wellesley College Wellesley 81, Massachusetts Department of Spanish P.S. Do you know on what subjects Sra. Mistral will be lecturing? A.M.C. [*Ada M. Coe*] 129 GREAT ROAD WOONSOCKET RHODE ISLAND April13,1946 Dear Miss Blackwell: Thank you very much for your Christmas and Easter greetings. The two also came for Mr. Troy and have gone to him and his wife. Their present address is 86 Sycamore St, Somerville, Mass. You will be interested to know that I spent the day with them two weeks ago and enjoyed it very much. His wife was a widow with two lovely little girls, twins and at last they have been able to find a nice little apartment of five rooms which will make them a delightful home. He is fond of children and they seem to love him very much. I am glad for them all. He is still interested in Spanish and while I was there a young Spaniard came in for a call and William got out your book of Spanish American poetry and read us one of Darío's poems. He is very fond of poetry and has learned much of it by heart. It is good for a business man to have that in his soul. I am pretty well this year and able to get out, though I do not try to go long distances. Letters are always on the typewriter and I am very glad that I can use it. With very best wishes for you and congratulations that you are still able to do so much in this world, Very sincerely yours Alice H. Bushee 129 GREAT ROAD WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND Feb.18,1938 My dear Miss Blackwell: The other day I had a letter from William Troy in which he sent a message to you. You know the number of letters he can write is rather limited. I will copy from the letter dated Feb.3 - "Last week the Brave New World (10.30 every Monday) featured Sor Juana, Rubén Darío, Amado Nervo and Gabriela Mistral. A brief biographical sketch of each was dramatized with a reading from one poem of each artist. I never was so agreeably surprised in all my life when I heard the four selections for three of them were included in the four I spoke of as my favorites to Miss Blackwell! Not a bad average. Miss Blackwell would have been very pleased I'm sure to have heard the program for they chose her translations although no credit was given her. The latter seems unfair to me and I'm quite certain they were hers for, although lights were out and I had no recourse to her book I know the verse well enough to recognize them. You must tell her so sometime when you write." It has been a great source of joy to him to have you come into 129 GREAT ROAD WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND his life. He told me you sent a Christmas card to him. He is still doing good work for me comparing one play with another, typewriting and helping in various ways. I am enjoying my winter at home very much although I am alone most of the time. Still I have the home atmosphere with the furniture that I remember when I was a little girl. Then there is much to take up my mind - Spain and the old girls I used to know, Wellesley College and the girls there, church work here and my former S.S. class, now men with grown children but still coming to see me, the work on the book and also trying to find out a little about prisons in R.I. It is difficult to remember that I have not the strength I used to have but you know what that [ome] means too. Please remember me most kindly to Mrs. Thyne and believe me Very cordially yours Alice H. Bushee [*Alice Bushee*] Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts. May 28 My dear Miss Blackwell:– I fear that I cannot help you at all on the question of Spanish American humor. Dr. Hills himself now of the Hispanic Society New York, or Dr. Coester ought to know. If not the only one I can think of is Mr. Francisco J. Yánes of the Pan American Union Washington. My knowledge of this literature is still in the beginning. Thank you for names of the Spanish newspapers. I hope Miss Palomo saw you last Friday evening . She intended to. I have been a little under the weather so please excuse delay in writing. Very sincerely Alice H. Bushee [*Alice H Bushee*] Woonsocket, R.I. Dec. 30,1916 My dear Miss Blackstone:– I thank you very much for your letter and the Christmas greeting. It is indeed a great privilege and happiness to me to be able to have my mother with me not only Christmas but every day. In regard to Las Novedades, I fear that they have not very good business management. It took me four letters before I could get them to discontinue my subscription. It is now taken at the College and so I thought I would better spend my money for some other and read this one there. As soon as I go back to Wellesley I will gladly look over the file and report to you. I am sorry I cannot do it immediately. Did you know that in backward Spain a woman the Countess Emilia Pard o Bazán great novelist and writer has been appointed professor of literature at the Madrid University? Do you see that done at Harvard this year? Very sincerely Alice H. Bushee [*Alice Bushee '16*] WELLESLEY COLLEGE WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS. DEPARTMENT OF SPANISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. Dec. 14, 1916 My dear Miss Blackwell:– I want to thank you again for having come over to Wellesley to see the girls. They enjoyed your [your] talk about the poets and the translations and readings from the poets. I have seen that in the Spanish compositions they have written about it. It has given them a taste for Spanish American literature which they will not soon forget. A notice has been sent to Las Novedades and I will send you a copy of the Wellesley News. The Spanish paper I could not remember was La Revista Universal and I will send you a copy of that as soon as I can. I hope you will have received the check before this. Hoping to have the pleasure of meeting you again some day, I am Very sincerely and gratefully yours Alice H. Bushee Alice Busher '16 Woonsocket, R.I. Dec. 18, 1916 My dear Miss Blackwell:- I found your letter awaiting me this morning when I went to Wellesley. I thank you for it and write to tell you that Mr. Coester wrote me saying that you had referred to me in a letter and sending me leaflets about the book. I answered immediately sending the names of a number of people who should be interested in the book and telling him how glad I was that it had be been published and that I hoped it would be translated later into Spanish for use all over the Spanish speaking world. I had received a note not long ago from a leading South American writer now in Madrid lamenting the fact that there was no such book written. I shall do all I can to hasten sales. Very sincerely yours Alice H. Busher Alice H. Bushee '16 THE WOONSOCKET CALL. Prof. A. H. Bushee Author of Book Union Village Woman, Formerly Of Wellesley College, Writes Of Spain Professor Alice Huntington Bushee of Union Village, for many years head of the Spanish department at Wellesley College, now retired from active work, is the author of an illustrated book entitled "Three Centuries of Tirso De Molina," published by the University of Pennsylvania Press. Professor Bushee spent much time in Spain, studying the customs and the people, teaching in Spanish schools, and has given of her money and services to help the Spanish people. She is thoroughly familiar with her subject and has written other books, the first one a Spanish grammar in 1917. To introduce her book, G.E. Johnston of Boston has written the following review for The Woonsocket Call: "In the natural progression of civilization the achievements of former ages are accepted as casually as the electric light which results from the pushing of a button. Art, music, literature, drama and all the things which raise man's lot above the level of the lower animals are bequeathed to us by each preceding generation. And yet, seldom is this rare heritage a direct gift. On the contrary it is made possible many times only by the unselfish labors of scholars whose patience and devotion to the betterment of mankind too often go unsung. From the dusty archives of long neglected libraries and monasteries literary treasures are resurrected to become the models which modern artists use as a basis for their art. "Three Centuries Of Tirso De Molina by Alice Huntington Bushee is precisely this kind of book, the result of unsung labor. As an aid to students of the Spanish Theatre, and the Tirso de Molina in particular, the work is invaluable. With painstaking accuracy the author has compiled a detailed record of Tirso's plays; the various editions, sources, criticisms, together with documentary proof of the great dramatist's lasting genius –his appeal to the peoples of Spain for more than three centuries as attested by the number of performances of his plays. "But despite the scholarly research entailed in the compiling of such a work, it is far more than a statistical guide and aid for scholars. Throughout the one hundred odd pages there is an inherent warmth in Professor Bushee's treatment of the subject matter which evokes a sympathetic curiosity on the part of even the casual reader to know more about this man, Tirso de Molina. "In the final analysis, time and the people are the true test of art and judging from such standards Tirso is signally fortunate. A product of the "Siglo de Oro," the Golden Age of Spanish literature, Tirso de Molina wrote his plays to and for the people. Critics, who at first sneered at Tirso's lack of conformity to the rules of drama, were later chagrined to find themselves carried away by the emotional appeal of his plays and applauding Tirso along with the highly amused audience. "It is regrettable that few of Tirso's plays are available in English, but Professor Bushee's book is perhaps the stimulus needed by translators to remedy this situation. Surely the creator of Don Juan, whose dramas and comedies have for three centuries entertained the Spanish speaking peoples of 21 nations, has much to offer us." [*Burleigh Gettie (Mr Chas)*] Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.