To Charles Eliot Norton
1–18 July 1880 • Elmira, N.Y.
(Sales catalog: Goodspeed’s, April 1924,
no. 156, item 248, UCCL 04370)

[beginning of letter omitted]

I should certainly go, notwithstanding the distance, but for the fact that just about the middle of August (if we have luck) I shall be called upon to take upon myself the office of superintending a wet nurse, or of preparing condensed milk for a nursing-bottle. My reputation is so well established, in both of these arts & sciences, that it would not be possible to fill my place satisfactorily; therefore I shall have to stay here & lose my share of those good times—(Howells is always in them; nothing ever happens to [him] these days)

[remainder of letter omitted]

Textual Commentary

Editorial Signs

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

Goodspeed’s catalog, April 1924, no. 156, item 248, notes that the letter is “(a) A. l. s. 2 pp., Elmira, no year, to Charles Eliot Norton, declining an invitation.”

Previous publication: MicroPUL, reel 1.

Emendations and textual notes: The text of the letter, rendered in italics in the catalog, is silently rendered in roman type here.

him • him