Ellen Axson Wilson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Title

Ellen Axson Wilson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Creator

Wilson, Ellen Axson

Identifier

WWP17398

Date

1907 May 25

Description

Ellen writes to Jessie about her social engagements, including her attempt to host an English couple who she did not realize were vegetarians.

Source

Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library, Princeton University

Language

English

Text

My darling

Margaret will have told all the home news far more fully than I could write it, so this will be just a message of love. I hope among other things she has told you what a very congested week it has been, with social engagements of all sorts, and guests in the house, so that you will understand my delay in writing.
Our latest guests have just gone,—Mr. Murray and Lady Mary. They were really delightful people,—just as simple and natural as they could be, and so thoroughly interested in everything and everybody! She had a score of questions to ask about you girls. She couldn't have been more eager to know all about you than if we had been old school friends meeting after a long absence. It was really curious. And they exacted a promise from us to visit them in England. We had the Marquands (to whom they had letters also) to dinner and then the Marquands took us all to the play,—“Dr Faustus.” We were proud to have English visitors see it—and they said they thought it “admirably done.” It really was even better than before—most impressive!We had an odd experience—trying to feed our guests. They came before luncheon,—the first course of which was bouillon. They waved it away,—without not allowing it to be even placed before them. The next course,—creamed fish in shells,—was treated in the same fashion. But I still thought I was safe,—for the next course was delicious Phila. boiled chicken,—real invalid diet. Imagine then my consternation when it too was waved aside! Then finally they explained that they were vegetarians,—on principle,—and asked for poached eggs! It seems they had written that fact to your father, but in a post-script which being on an inside page he had not found!Be sure to tell me at once how much money to send. I have no idea,—have been so busy that I can't even remember how if you had your May allowance. Don'thesitate to ask for all you want, dear. We have just sent Nellie$40.00. With love inexpressible I am, darling, as ever—

Your devoted
Mother.

Original Format

Letter

To

Sayre, Jessie Woodrow Wilson, 1887-1933

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/EAWtoJWS19070525.pdf

Citation

Wilson, Ellen Axson, “Ellen Axson Wilson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre,” 1907 May 25, WWP17398, Jessie Wilson Sayre Correspondence, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.