Comments on his dislike of Rebecca Kidder's writing. Transcription: this woman [Rebecca Kidder] talk, what elaborate trash does she write. What a thorough sham and counterfeit is she, in thoughts, in words, in actions. And what egotism, deep rooted flimsyness of egotism constitutes her whole nature. All her writings are but Jo Paens to Rebecca Kidder. She read of her griefs, of her trials; how she pined for loftier ambitions, for appreciation, how hard was her fate, being brought into contact with sordid, common-place natures; (each of which be it said has more of truth in it, than has marked
Comments on his dislike of Rebecca Kidder's writing. Transcription: this woman [Rebecca Kidder] talk, what elaborate trash does she write. What a thorough sham and counterfeit is she, in thoughts, in words, in actions. And what egotism, deep rooted flimsyness of egotism constitutes her whole nature. All her writings are but Jo Paens to Rebecca Kidder. She read of her griefs, of her trials; how she pined for loftier ambitions, for appreciation, how hard was her fate, being brought into contact with sordid, common-place natures; (each of which be it said has more of truth in it, than has marked [words crossed out], her whole existence.) ?ǣGeorge Brown, ? so said her Diary, which she read aloud to us (!) ?ǣhad forfieted all title to her friendship. ? He had married her sister [Margaret Bartholomew Brown], that was his offence. In the book were complaints and repinings at everybody, open self-praise, or that revelling in self accusation, darling pride that apes humility loves to wallow in. She Byronized, she sentimentalized, she prosed, her whole world of images and ideas, not once presenting the hint of originality. Womans mission &c. And such counterfeit of feeling, Of Love, of Friendship, of Religion, of Doubt (?) of repining at not being this, that, & Heaven knows what ? Got so impatient that I criticized it as bosh downright, wherefore, albeit she ?ll not say so, she ?ll hate me evermore. I know she couldn ?t forgive that. 18. Saturday. Drawing awhile, on wood, and scribbling, then down town. To Traveler Office, [Thomas W.] Strongs &c. To the Reveille Office, where I saw Barton, and got a weight of wood- Title: Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries: Volume 3, page 10, October 17-18, 1851 . 17 October 1851. Gunn, Thomas Butler, 1826-1903
Size: 1795px × 2783px
Photo credit: © The Picture Art Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords:
