Letter - R.S. to Delia Talman Audubon Tyler, 8 August 1870
Entry/Object ID
JJA.1938.464
Description
This is a handwritten letter from R. S. to Delia Tyler. Letter contains thoughts and observations concerning Napoleon's coming defeat. Transcription is as follows:
"Schweizehof, Lucerne,
Monday, August 8th. 1870
My dear Delie,
Your welcome little note of July 12th. which reached me day before yesterday is the first and only scrap of news I have had from you since leaving home. I never doubted for a moment that you had forgotten me but went on hoping day after day and week after week that your answer to my Paris letter was temporarily detained or else was waiting for me at some place on our route. I am so afraid your dear letter is lost to me forever - how full it must have been of nice little things - you know so well what I like. I can't begin to tell you how often during those long four months I "wished it would come" and how often I was disappointed and was obliged to leave the Bankers (where our letters are sent) with a sad heart but seldom without hope that next time I would have better success. I am most miserable to day as the news from the seat of War is bad in the extreme for La Belle France with whom I sympathize heart and soul. According to the telegrams Napoleon is being badly whipped. People of my mind are very scarce in Lucerne. I almost stand alone in wishing success to the French soldier and I yet believe La Marseillaise will be sung by them through the streets of Berlin. I very much doubt if this letter ever reaches you as communications are becoming more complicated every day. My sister Sallie has been very ill indeed with fever and we will be obliged to remain in Lucerne another two weeks or so. From here we go to Interlaken. Father intends going home in two or three months as things on this side of the Atlantic are becoming rather unpleasant. I shall however remain in Paris for an indefinite time. Have the Meads reached home yet? I met them in Paris at the Hotel de L'Athienie and they tole me they were having a jolly time. Our Landlord at Ische told me he expected Mr. Armstrong and Wife from Rome (your friends) spend the summer at his house. One day while wandering through the Louvre I came across the picture from which John James Audubon copied that group of a woman and child, which you have so often showed me. Did it not admit him to the English Academy? The picture is by Poussin. If this letter ever reaches you do write me a cheery letter as this war news makes me very blue. But I trust ere then I shall be happy over a great French victory. Continue to address me care of John Munroe of Rue Soribe Paris. Are you sure you directed your first letter all right? God bless you Delie. Remember me to all - and never for moment in the future think that you have been forgotten by -R-s"
Collection
L. S. Tyler Collection
Made/Created
Date made
1870 - 1870
Place
Location
France
Notes
Date: August 8, 1870
Lexicon
Search Terms
* Communication Artifacts, Letters, Correspondence, Lucerne, Switzerland, France
