Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Wilson, Ellen Axson
Identifier
EAW06031904
Date
1904 June 2
Description
Ellen Axson Wilson writes to her husband, Woodrow Wilson, during a trip with her daughters to Italy.
Source
Library of Congress
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Language
English
Spatial Coverage
Florence, Italy
Text
(19)
Florence
My own darling,
I am writing my midweek letter a day later than usual, - and why do you suppose, because I have been to Venice! Now I know you are surprised! I went Monday at eleven, stayed two days and got back today at four. The whole crowd, Jessie, Mary and the Smiths have been begging me to go ever since we reached Florence, and finally Jessie seemed so perfectly well that I consented to leave her with Mary as they wished and join the Smiths there for two days. I did I did not mention it in my Sunday letter because I thought when writing it that the plan would have to be given up on account of the trouble about your remittance, which had just reached an acute stage; but finally I let myself be convinced that it would be a shame to Venice for life, for a difficulty so surely temporary. Of course I did not think of giving it up for want of the money, but because I thought I ought to be here to answer possible telegrams or letters; but we decided Mary could do that as well as I; she it was who sent you the cable saying the British Linen Co. had it. (I rather think you had discovered that at the other end of the line and that the cable was necessary). I havn't the money yet, but expect to have it by Saturday. And I still have nine dollars. What could have possessed Blair to disregard instructions and send the money to London. They Linen Co. has never had address, so calmly kept the money all three weeks & did nothing.
Dear Mary has just gone off in tears; I shall miss her horribly, but have been getting so nervous about her sacrificing so much on my account, that I am glad and relieved to see her go! I had a real struggle to get her off;—had to begin all over again at the last minute because my money was not actually in hand, and it made her unhappy to leave me with only nine dollars;—for of course I wouldn’t borrow from her when I expect my funds so soon.
I found another dear letter from you and such a sweet one from Stockton awaiting me; they made me very happy; besides which my heart is beginning to dance within me at the near approach of the sailing time;—only six more days now. I am so excited at the thought that I can hardly keep still.
But I havn’t said a word about Venice,—and I cannot say much tonight for of course I am tired after my seven hour journey and getting Mary off on the night train delayed my writing. Venice must wait until Sunday—suffice it to say that the whole trip was the most brilliant success. Very few creatures have ever seen so thoroughly so many things in two days before, - and with so little fatigue, - thanks to the gondola system! And oh how glorious it all was - both the place and the pictures. It surpassed my every dream, - it was "all a wonder and a wild delight." It made my heart ache that dear little Jessica was so near and yet so far; of course such an imaginative child would have liked it better than anything else. And she is so wonderfully sweet and fine about it & everything. The Smiths are keeping house there with two American girls who were with us in Rome & with them here in Florence, - extremely nice cultivated women and old travelers. One is from Boston one from Brooklyn, they are practical as they are artistic and wonderful economists. So they are settled for three weeks in the house on the Grand Canal in which WD Howells lived, get their own breakfast and luncheon and later dinner at all sorts of charming places, - out of door restaurants. It is simply fascinating and costs them next to nothing except for the gondola. I couldn't get a room in their house but had bed and breakfast at a little hotel nearby and then was with them all day until bedtime. I wasn't even alone at the hotel but with the same lovely old ladies from Danville, Ky. daughter of Pres. Young of Centre-College; friends whom I made of this pension but who knew your family well.
We are both perfectly well & we love you all with all our heart. I love you my own darling, to distraction in every heart throb.
Your own,
Eileen
Florence
My own darling,
I am writing my midweek letter a day later than usual, - and why do you suppose, because I have been to Venice! Now I know you are surprised! I went Monday at eleven, stayed two days and got back today at four. The whole crowd, Jessie, Mary and the Smiths have been begging me to go ever since we reached Florence, and finally Jessie seemed so perfectly well that I consented to leave her with Mary as they wished and join the Smiths there for two days. I did I did not mention it in my Sunday letter because I thought when writing it that the plan would have to be given up on account of the trouble about your remittance, which had just reached an acute stage; but finally I let myself be convinced that it would be a shame to Venice for life, for a difficulty so surely temporary. Of course I did not think of giving it up for want of the money, but because I thought I ought to be here to answer possible telegrams or letters; but we decided Mary could do that as well as I; she it was who sent you the cable saying the British Linen Co. had it. (I rather think you had discovered that at the other end of the line and that the cable was necessary). I havn't the money yet, but expect to have it by Saturday. And I still have nine dollars. What could have possessed Blair to disregard instructions and send the money to London. They Linen Co. has never had address, so calmly kept the money all three weeks & did nothing.
Dear Mary has just gone off in tears; I shall miss her horribly, but have been getting so nervous about her sacrificing so much on my account, that I am glad and relieved to see her go! I had a real struggle to get her off;—had to begin all over again at the last minute because my money was not actually in hand, and it made her unhappy to leave me with only nine dollars;—for of course I wouldn’t borrow from her when I expect my funds so soon.
I found another dear letter from you and such a sweet one from Stockton awaiting me; they made me very happy; besides which my heart is beginning to dance within me at the near approach of the sailing time;—only six more days now. I am so excited at the thought that I can hardly keep still.
But I havn’t said a word about Venice,—and I cannot say much tonight for of course I am tired after my seven hour journey and getting Mary off on the night train delayed my writing. Venice must wait until Sunday—suffice it to say that the whole trip was the most brilliant success. Very few creatures have ever seen so thoroughly so many things in two days before, - and with so little fatigue, - thanks to the gondola system! And oh how glorious it all was - both the place and the pictures. It surpassed my every dream, - it was "all a wonder and a wild delight." It made my heart ache that dear little Jessica was so near and yet so far; of course such an imaginative child would have liked it better than anything else. And she is so wonderfully sweet and fine about it & everything. The Smiths are keeping house there with two American girls who were with us in Rome & with them here in Florence, - extremely nice cultivated women and old travelers. One is from Boston one from Brooklyn, they are practical as they are artistic and wonderful economists. So they are settled for three weeks in the house on the Grand Canal in which WD Howells lived, get their own breakfast and luncheon and later dinner at all sorts of charming places, - out of door restaurants. It is simply fascinating and costs them next to nothing except for the gondola. I couldn't get a room in their house but had bed and breakfast at a little hotel nearby and then was with them all day until bedtime. I wasn't even alone at the hotel but with the same lovely old ladies from Danville, Ky. daughter of Pres. Young of Centre-College; friends whom I made of this pension but who knew your family well.
We are both perfectly well & we love you all with all our heart. I love you my own darling, to distraction in every heart throb.
Your own,
Eileen
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Ellen Axson, “Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1904 June 2, EAW06031904 , Ellen Axson Wilson Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.