Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Wilson, Ellen Axson
Identifier
EAW02241910
Date
1910 February 24
Description
Ellen Axson Wilson writes to her husband, Woodrow Wilson, from home.
Source
Library of Congress
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Language
English
Spatial Coverage
Princeton, NJ
Text
Princeton,
My own darling,
Your dear letter came Tuesday morning and made me very happy to know that things are going well with you; though it made me horribly distressed and ashamed to see how I had disappointed you in not writing. I have already explained how it happened; - but I have no excuse - unless that all these troubles seem to have left me half dazed; - exceedingly absent minded.
I am enjoying intensely, by proxy, the exquisite weather you are having I am so glad and relieved dear that the evil spell was broken before your arrival. Mr. McDonald found it as bad there as here; - and that is saying everything! But we have had two days of sunshine at last, (with intense cold and very light winds). Tomorrow another storm is predicted.
Nell and I went into New York yesterday to see several small picture shows and the , and the Ben Greet Players in "She Stoops to Conquer." It was delightful Ben Greet was perfect as Tony Lumpkin and all the company did good though not finished work. The two heroines were enchantingly pretty and sweet. I have wanted to see that dead old play all my life and of course jumped at the chance. There were only a handful of people present. It was given at the "Yarden Theatre" opposite Mrs. Peck's. So as reached the theatre at one sharp we decided to run up and "say howdy" to her. But unfortunately she was not dressed and took all of the fifteen minutes to "do" her hair. When it was already time for the curtain to rise we had to apologize to Mrs. Allen and fly. But Mrs. Peck ran out in her wrapper as we were taking the elevator and begged us to come in for tea after the play. We did so and had a delightful little visit with her; - were there almost an hour.
Nell is kept away from her work in Phila. by the riots. They say two thousand persons have been hurt now including many women & children. Today's paper says that they have ordered the girls' high schools closed. So of course I am keeping the girls away, (Jessie had an engagement at the dentist's.) Margaret had an exciting time on Monday listening to Strauss' "Electra" with Mr. Shipman. I have teased the young people about the choice they made between violent extremes, "Passifal" and "Electra!" - saints or sinners. But of course they had already seen Parsifal and they declared that their musical education demanded that they should hear a Strauss opera. It is horrible, (but not indecent like Salome.) The actress spent months in an insane asylum studying her part! Such is "modern art" in one of its phases. We are all happier when we can say, dearest, at the thought of you happy place, among congenial friends and at peace! If you could only stay longer! All send their dear love; - as for me I can but send but a small part of mine. The whole would sink my ship.
Your own, Eileen.
My own darling,
Your dear letter came Tuesday morning and made me very happy to know that things are going well with you; though it made me horribly distressed and ashamed to see how I had disappointed you in not writing. I have already explained how it happened; - but I have no excuse - unless that all these troubles seem to have left me half dazed; - exceedingly absent minded.
I am enjoying intensely, by proxy, the exquisite weather you are having I am so glad and relieved dear that the evil spell was broken before your arrival. Mr. McDonald found it as bad there as here; - and that is saying everything! But we have had two days of sunshine at last, (with intense cold and very light winds). Tomorrow another storm is predicted.
Nell and I went into New York yesterday to see several small picture shows and the , and the Ben Greet Players in "She Stoops to Conquer." It was delightful Ben Greet was perfect as Tony Lumpkin and all the company did good though not finished work. The two heroines were enchantingly pretty and sweet. I have wanted to see that dead old play all my life and of course jumped at the chance. There were only a handful of people present. It was given at the "Yarden Theatre" opposite Mrs. Peck's. So as reached the theatre at one sharp we decided to run up and "say howdy" to her. But unfortunately she was not dressed and took all of the fifteen minutes to "do" her hair. When it was already time for the curtain to rise we had to apologize to Mrs. Allen and fly. But Mrs. Peck ran out in her wrapper as we were taking the elevator and begged us to come in for tea after the play. We did so and had a delightful little visit with her; - were there almost an hour.
Nell is kept away from her work in Phila. by the riots. They say two thousand persons have been hurt now including many women & children. Today's paper says that they have ordered the girls' high schools closed. So of course I am keeping the girls away, (Jessie had an engagement at the dentist's.) Margaret had an exciting time on Monday listening to Strauss' "Electra" with Mr. Shipman. I have teased the young people about the choice they made between violent extremes, "Passifal" and "Electra!" - saints or sinners. But of course they had already seen Parsifal and they declared that their musical education demanded that they should hear a Strauss opera. It is horrible, (but not indecent like Salome.) The actress spent months in an insane asylum studying her part! Such is "modern art" in one of its phases. We are all happier when we can say, dearest, at the thought of you happy place, among congenial friends and at peace! If you could only stay longer! All send their dear love; - as for me I can but send but a small part of mine. The whole would sink my ship.
Your own, Eileen.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Ellen Axson, “Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1910 February 24, EAW02241910 , Ellen Axson Wilson Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.