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Elisina Tyler to Mildred Barnes Bliss, July 13, 1913

Château de Genay

Par Semur-en-Auxois (Côte d’Or)

July 13th 1913Sunday.

My dearest Mildred,

First of all I have a confession to make. The super-diligent lady who assisted me in packing up my worldly goods before leaving the rue de la Barouillère did up your books while I wasn’t looking. I had set then carefully aside, and so I suppose they caught her vigilant eye. Will you please forgive me?

I have been busier than is good for me since I am here. The whole house wanted re-setting, and I have re-set most of it. Then French servants are painfully ill-trained and I have to supply the necessary stimulus almost uninterruptedly in every department, including that of the master of the house whose vision seems bounded by the far horizon, and yet he weakly clings to the exercise of minor privileges such as tapping the wine-cask for the table; and this he does at uncanonical hours and as the fancy moves him. Have I grizzled? Am I grizzling? Oh let me do it again, as I feel better already.

I am expecting an English friend on the 23rd, and I am wondering if you could possibly send me one or two of the pieces of stuff you so kindly offered to lend me, to cover the barrenness of the land with a semblance of beauty and opulence. The genius of Louis-Philippe,Louis Philippe I (1773–1850), king of France between 1830 and 1848. while asleep, has presided over the furnishing of this house. It is replete with “tapis grenat bordé jaune”“Garnet red rug bordered in yellow.” and an incredible assemblage of failures in decoration and furniture.

My friend is accustomed to a certain amount of comfort and I feel that in the form in which it now stands, she won’t feel able to swallow it. I have already utilised all our “bits.”—But of course if it’s a nuisance . . . . you know the rest.

When are you coming? Do please come soon. I’ll tell you something interesting about B. B. Meantime, please, pay my increased respects and compliments to Robert. Both Royall and I admire him very much. Your room—and Robert’s—are going to be kept free and ready; and nature abhors a vacuum.

Your little Godson is incredibly [word or words not transcribed from the original letter]Several of the autograph letters of Elisina Tyler were not included in William Royall Tyler’s gift of the Bliss-Tyler correspondence to Harvard University (see The Early Letters (1902–1908): An Introduction, note 1). At Harvard, these letters exist only in typed transcriptions where, often, foreign words and phrases from the original letters are not transcribed. and full of resources. I am keeping a copy of “[word or words not transcribed from the original letter]”Several of the autograph letters of Elisina Tyler were not included in William Royall Tyler’s gift of the Bliss-Tyler correspondence to Harvard University (see The Early Letters (1902–1908), note 1). At Harvard, these letters exist only in typed transcriptions where, often, foreign words and phrases from the original letters are not transcribed. for you. It is very very beautiful.

There is nothing more to say except that the day of your arrival will be the crowning day of the summer, and that PeterRoyall Tyler was called Peter by his friends. The Blisses, however, seem never to have addressed Tyler by this name. sends you his love, together with mine.

Yours always,

Elisina.

 
Associated People: Bernard Berenson
Associated Places: Semur-en-Auxois (France)