My Dear Cornelia

by Stuart Pratt Sherman

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 of opinion; but we have always had so much in common, so many tastes and quite elementary convictions, that, years and years ago, I tried to persuade you that we ought to take a stand together. On that point we failed to reach an agreement; and which of us was right is a question that you have never since been willing to debate with me.

There is another point, however, which I have long desired to discuss with you: that is our common liking for dedicated things. I wish to dedicate this little book to you—my share in it. The task embarrasses me; for, wherever in these pages I find anything that seems to me blithe or charming or wise, instantly I recognize that it is not mine but yours. Here then, in justice, I restore to you these feebly recorded memories of our walks and talks in sunlight and moonlight.

While I am confessing, I will tell you what perhaps I haven't mentioned before, that it was Mr. M. A. De Wolfe Howe who urged me to draw you into our conversation on religion. And I really ought to mention Mr. Ellery Sedgwick; but, the fact is, I have been just a bit jealous of him since he sent that telegram—I showed it to you, 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 may be 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 Responsibility 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
IV.	Seven Reasons for Mr. Hergesheimer, D. H. Lawrence, and the Emetic School	35
V.	We Discuss Marriage and the Hope of the Younger Generation	48

Book Two: An Eligible Young Man

I.	Cornelia's Children React to a Suitable Match	61
II.	"Let's Walk"	67
III.	Prerequisites of a Decent Marriage	73
IV.	Cornelia Appreciates Her Husband	80
V.	We Discuss the Inner Life	86
VI.	A Theory of Happiness	91
VII.	The Real Thing	97

Book Three: Treating of Modern Girls

I.	The Education of Daughters	103
II.	Flags of Revolt	118
III.	Bloom	120
IV.	Careers for Women	129

Book Four: Cornelia and Dionysus

I.	Ennui in the Provinces	139
II.	New Year's Eve in New York	150
III.	His Excellency on Economic Necessity	162
IV.	Vernon Willys on Bacchic Ecstasy	171
V.	I Explain the Position of Cæsar's Wives	184
VI.	I Discuss the Ethics of an Automobiling Civilization	203
VII.	The Vengeance of Dionysus	211

Book Five: Approaching Religion and Other Grave Matters

I.	We Meet in Southern California	223
II.	Oliver Junior Discusses His Parents, Their Religion, and His Own	230
III.	Table Talk at Santo Espiritu	245
IV.	A Silence by the Sea	253
V.	Cornelia's Religious Experience	267