New York,
Oct. 30, 1896.
My dear Sharp,
I am greatly obliged to you for what you have written about my wife’s poetry, any recognition of which touches me more nearly than anything that could be said about my own verse.... My wife has told you, I presume, how much I enjoyed your wife’s Women’s Voices, just before I went into the Hospital, and how I composed a bit of verse in my head when I couldn’t see to feed myself. Do you ever compose in that silent way? I have taught myself to do without pens, ink, and paper, in verse; but I can’t do so in prose, which would print itself in the thing I call my mind. Give my kindest regards and warmest good wishes to your Elizabeth, whose charming book is a favourite with my Elizabeth as well, as with
Yours sincerely,
R. H. Stoddard.
Later, Mr. Stedman wrote an account of a dinner given to Mr. Stoddard to which W. S. was invited:
Bronxville, N. Y.,
Feb. 17, 1897.
My dear Sharp,