Abstract

The author examines the relationship between Henry James and Mrs. Gardner, the founder of the famous museum, in their correspondence, 1879-1914. Their friendship develops over the years, with a deep affection, but with James's constant self-defense against Mrs. Gardner's somewhat imperious commands, that are never allowed to encroach on the time devoted to his writing: This distancing is managed in the letters through the use of irony. Family and friends, painters and writers, presidents and senators, are often the subject of these letters. James's deep esteem of Mrs. Gardner is also testified by his constant sending her his own works.

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