From left to right; Mr. Cushing (the Dreadful Cousin, hereafter referred to as the D.C.), Mr. Tumbusch, Mr. Ramsey, and the Doctor
Portrait by Toni Tumbusch.
August 23, 181—
My Dearest Emily,
My Aunt and Uncle Downward and I have arrived safely in New
York, where my uncle informs us we shall spend nearly a month before returning
(all without the D.C., thank goodness, but more on that later). I was sorry to
spend so little time in your part of the country, but it was most cheerfully
spent for all that!
Uncle Downward.
Portrait by Stephen Jacobson.
I was so pleased to finally observe all those dear folk whom
you had written to me about in their natural habitat, as it were. Mr. and Mrs.
Hedgewood are just as you have made them out, and it is clear that Mr. H.
especially regards you as his own dear child. As for Mister Ramsey, he is as
dear and kind as I fully expected, and you were right about his delightful wit!
Mr. Ramsey immortalized.
My cousin is everything and nothing I expected. I was
surprised to find you so well acquainted. I must say, it is rather a hard thing
to find one’s ally and one’s intended foe at parley before one arrives on the
field! He was exceedingly attentive to me during my entire stay- despite my
repeated assurances that such devotion to familial duty was not necessary. He
met me promptly upon my arrival, and insisted upon repairing to lodgings he had
reserved that I might rest, then poured more tea into my poor stomach than I believe I had room for. I am surprised it was not running out my ears. The entire
journey to Nashville I swear his gaze scarcely left me - a most vigilant
jailor, I must say!
At the ball I actually had to remind the man that proper
manners dictate I dance with more than just the one partner. Luckily Mister
Ramsey was there to rescue me for a dance, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.
I suppose one might find the D.C.s attention charming, had it not been predetermined
that the man is Dreadful. However under the circumstances I must say it vexed
me very much!
The Dreadful Cousin....being annoyingly affable and charming...
For all that I will admit the man has a keen and sensitive
mind, which did provide some relief and give us things to talk of. He is a
great reader, and supplied me with many books. A most peculiar man, all in all.
There was one last person whom I was most pleased to finally
make an acquaintance with. Your Doctor has finally materialized off the pages of your letters and proven himself to be just as handsome and and dignified in reality as you made him out to be. I must say, my dear, that he pleased me very much. He was a fine dancer, and a most enjoyable conversation partner. In particular, he seemed keen to hear stories of our lives growing up, and was, I believe, most happy for all intelligence I could be prevailed upon to provide about my dear Emily.
My cousin informs me that the Doctor is well liked among all those whom he serves with and attends upon, though of late the he has been of a strange and taciturn mood......... yet he did not seem so afflicted when we were all met together. I have taken a keen interest in him, and shall be most interested to
see how the matter sits when I return from New York next month........
The Doctor enjoys a civilized respite after his labors.
Portrait by Toni Tumbusch
Until then I remain,
Your Faithful Eliza
N.B. My Aunt and Uncle send their love, as does Mrs. Collier
via post.
