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Erica (Thorp) de Berry to Joseph Gilbert Thorp Jr., 28 July 1918
Manuscript letter
July 28, 1918.
Dearest Papa,
Many, many Happy Returns of the 17th and a big heartful of birthday love! I wish I had something to send you, even the tiniest little picture, but a book is coming later when I can get into the land of shops again.
It seems almost incredible that it is almost a year now since I have seen you, and yet what ages it is since [p. 2] those last days at the island last summer and our trip to New York. What glorious ^allied^ gains you have to celebrate, if things keep on as splendidly as they have begun! It seems too good to be true after the dark hours in March and June — and yet only what one knew must come as soon as numbers could begin to play a part.
All the Greenings’ pictures are on the wall in front of me, and I can almost see you driving from the 5th tee in the Charlotte[?] one. I suppose there won’t be much golf if it’s all to be ^all^ farming this summer.
[p. 3 marked 2] Do send me pictures of Tuk’s farm-unit. Do they wear khaki overalls? I can recommend burlap aprons which our boys wear — wonderful for weeding!
The days get fuller and fuller. Tonight a band of older boys arrived, 15 years and over, who will be of invaluable help in the [left margin: 1000] odd jobs there always are to be done here. Just to have an able-bodied man here all the time would be Heaven.
[p. 4] We’re pretty well settled now, all things considered, tho’ one would spend a lifetime touching up this place. How I wish it were possible for any of you to see it. Not that it’s a model of its kind — far from it — but because it means so much to me.
There have been problems, and I certainly have made mistakes, but it’s been a tremendous school of experience and forced one to take big responsibility and use judgment as nothing else I’ve ever dreamed of doing could have. But oh, how I’ve longed for your advice on so many things, especially in the legal and financial sides of it. French law is an [p. 5 marked 3] appalling thing, once the mysteries of its red tape begin entangling one, and there have been one or two crooks who’ve tried to get the best of me. But no harm has been done as yet, thank goodness! Someday I’ll tell you all the details of things and the extraordinary mix ups and emergencies that arise from war conditions and the need for sudden decisions. Trying to steer [p. 6] between all the different personalities and prejudices ^and^ good and bad intentions of neighbors makes life one continual excitement. And But there are one or two such splendid friends among workmen and townspeople to help!
Accounts have been rather a trial, as you can imagine for me, but I think I’m going to get a regular accountant now. I’m bound that you’ll see some improvement tho’ in my business head when I come home!
A heartful of birthday love, dearest Papa, and a happy, happy birthday [???] supper-picnic at Bakers’ and a breakfast table full of Allen vases!
Your lovingest tho’ often bewildered Bunny.
[Note: Separation sheet indicates that two dried flower blossoms were separated from this item and moved to Series Separated Items.]
Dearest Papa,
Many, many Happy Returns of the 17th and a big heartful of birthday love! I wish I had something to send you, even the tiniest little picture, but a book is coming later when I can get into the land of shops again.
It seems almost incredible that it is almost a year now since I have seen you, and yet what ages it is since [p. 2] those last days at the island last summer and our trip to New York. What glorious ^allied^ gains you have to celebrate, if things keep on as splendidly as they have begun! It seems too good to be true after the dark hours in March and June — and yet only what one knew must come as soon as numbers could begin to play a part.
All the Greenings’ pictures are on the wall in front of me, and I can almost see you driving from the 5th tee in the Charlotte[?] one. I suppose there won’t be much golf if it’s all to be ^all^ farming this summer.
[p. 3 marked 2] Do send me pictures of Tuk’s farm-unit. Do they wear khaki overalls? I can recommend burlap aprons which our boys wear — wonderful for weeding!
The days get fuller and fuller. Tonight a band of older boys arrived, 15 years and over, who will be of invaluable help in the [left margin: 1000] odd jobs there always are to be done here. Just to have an able-bodied man here all the time would be Heaven.
[p. 4] We’re pretty well settled now, all things considered, tho’ one would spend a lifetime touching up this place. How I wish it were possible for any of you to see it. Not that it’s a model of its kind — far from it — but because it means so much to me.
There have been problems, and I certainly have made mistakes, but it’s been a tremendous school of experience and forced one to take big responsibility and use judgment as nothing else I’ve ever dreamed of doing could have. But oh, how I’ve longed for your advice on so many things, especially in the legal and financial sides of it. French law is an [p. 5 marked 3] appalling thing, once the mysteries of its red tape begin entangling one, and there have been one or two crooks who’ve tried to get the best of me. But no harm has been done as yet, thank goodness! Someday I’ll tell you all the details of things and the extraordinary mix ups and emergencies that arise from war conditions and the need for sudden decisions. Trying to steer [p. 6] between all the different personalities and prejudices ^and^ good and bad intentions of neighbors makes life one continual excitement. And But there are one or two such splendid friends among workmen and townspeople to help!
Accounts have been rather a trial, as you can imagine for me, but I think I’m going to get a regular accountant now. I’m bound that you’ll see some improvement tho’ in my business head when I come home!
A heartful of birthday love, dearest Papa, and a happy, happy birthday [???] supper-picnic at Bakers’ and a breakfast table full of Allen vases!
Your lovingest tho’ often bewildered Bunny.
[Note: Separation sheet indicates that two dried flower blossoms were separated from this item and moved to Series Separated Items.]
Archives Number: 1006/004.006.002-006#030
U. S. National Park Service
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Courtesy of National Park Service, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site; Archives Number 1006/004.006.002-006#030
Public domain
Erica Thorp deBerry Papers (1006/004.006), (LONG-SeriesName)
, Correspondence, Outgoing (1006/004.006.002), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, 1918 (1006/004.006.002-006), (LONG-FileUnitName)
, Correspondence, Outgoing (1006/004.006.002), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, 1918 (1006/004.006.002-006), (LONG-FileUnitName)
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Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Code: LONG
Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
NPS Museum Number Catalog : LONG 27930
Title: Finding Aid to the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) Family Papers, 1768-1972 (Bulk dates 1825-1950)
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#HWLFP
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#HWLFP
2018-11-29
07/28/1918
Manuscript letter in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Family Papers, Erica Thorp deBerry Papers, Correspondence, Outgoing. (1006/004.006.002)
Public Can View
Organization: Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
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