MY DEAR CORNELIA
My dear Cornelia
BY
STUART P. SHERMAN
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY PRESS
BOSTON
COPYRIGHT 1924 BY STUART P. SHERMAN
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
My dear Cornelia:
You and I have discovered many little differences ofopinion; but we have always had so much in common, somany tastes and quite elementary convictions, that, yearsand years ago, I tried to persuade you that we ought totake a stand together. On that point we failed to reach anagreement; and which of us was right is a question thatyou have never since been willing to debate with me.
There is another point, however, which I have long desiredto discuss with you: that is our common liking fordedicated things. I wish to dedicate this little book to you—myshare in it. The task embarrasses me; for, wherever inthese pages I find anything that seems to me blithe orcharming or wise, instantly I recognize that it is not minebut yours. Here then, in justice, I restore to you thesefeebly recorded memories of our walks and talks in sunlightand moonlight.
While I am confessing, I will tell you what perhaps Ihaven’t mentioned before, that it was Mr. M. A. DeWolfe Howe who urged me to draw you into our conversationon religion. And I really ought to mention Mr.Ellery Sedgwick; but, the fact is, I have been just a bitjealous of him since he sent that telegram—I showed it toyou, did I not?—shortly after he made your acquaintance,saying, “I am desperately in love with Cornelia.”
Of course I don’t mind your being admired, afar off,by anyone who pleases, no matter how dangerous he maybe at close range; but this page, you must understand,exists only to record that I am
Ever faithfully yours,
S.
Santo Espiritu, Midsummer, 1924
CONTENTS
| BOOK ONE: CHALLENGING THE IDEA OF CHASTITY | ||
| PAGE | ||
| I. | We Discuss the Responsibilities of Parents and Critics | 3 |
| II. | I Meditate, in front of a Bookcase, on Scott, Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, and the Good Victorians | 17 |
| III. | H. G. Wells, Galsworthy, May Sinclair, J. D. Beresford | 27 |