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42 letter 12  To Annie Taylor (Carey) July 21, 1857 [New York City, New York] 13 Douglas St July 21 57 Dear Annie Your letter I received today. We are sweltering in the heat. I am writing you in as few clothes as the law allows, and I have on a pair of stockings with large holes in them to keep up the ventilation as much as possible. If I did what I wanted to do, which I never do exactly, I should march off with Willy1 to Kennett2 and leave all care and duty behind me for a while. But I cannot say when I can visit you, for Stoddard’s mother3 is quite sick, and I cant leave here. I hope she will get well enough for me to go some time next month, or that she will be able to make some arrangement in her affairs so that it will make no difference whether I am with her or not. Willy begins to suffer with the heat and a change of air will do him good, and I want Stoddard to go with me for he feels poorly too. So your travelling boots are laid aside and you have stepped into the old home shoes. Which pinch the most? All events seem more or less like dreams don’t you think so, and life itself is a dream, perplexing, baffling and disappointing. I think you are equal to your duties. I should think your nature was a strong and healthy one. And I know you do not shrink from work. One of my troubles is a weak organization, I have not the physical health to endure labor and trial, neither has Stoddard and therefore we both suffer from melancholy more or less. I long to visit you and I shall if I keep well. I will not give it up if I delay it. Let us when we meet get truly acquainted with each other. One of my great wants, is dear, sympathetic female friends— Give my love to your mother4 how is she. Stoddard sends his love to you. Willy can say Annie Taylor with perfect distinctness. I wish 43 you would write me soon. As soon as I see any prospect of going to Kennett I shall write you. And let it be as I said, if the time I propose does not happen to be the right time for you, tell me— Yours truly—with regards to all Emma5 in particular, EDB Stoddard PS We had a letter from Bayard since you left. He had a good visit at Tennyson’s.6 Manuscript: Private Collection (unidentified at the request of the collector) notes 1. Wilson (Willy) Stoddard. See Letter 10, note 9. 2. Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, home of the Taylor family. 3. Richard Stoddard’s mother, Sophia Gurney Stoddard Gallon (1804–1870). 4.Bayard,Emma,andAnnieTaylor’smother,RebeccaWayTaylor(1799–1890). 5. Emma Taylor (Lamborn), Annie and Bayard’s sister. See biographical note. 6. In June 1857, Bayard Taylor spent two days with Tennyson in England. The letter in which he tells the Stoddards about this visit does not seem to be extant. ...

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