1884

1884

This is the earliest letter in the collection from Victoria to Amy.

note en coin: Tout le monde se réjouissent de votre arrivée.

British Legation
Washington, D.C.
7 Mai /84

Ma chère Amy,

Enfin je suis bien contente de savoir que vous viendrez "pour sûr" demeurer avec nous.

J'aurais aimé que vous fussiez ici pour les courses; cela vous aurait amusé; mais je crains d'après votre lettre que vous ne pourrez pas. Vous me demandez de vous fixer le jour qu'il me serait le plus agréable de vous avoir. Le plus tôt sera le mieux.

Peut-être aurez-vous quelques commissions et emplettes à faire à New York; donc vous désirez probablement avoir un peu de temps libre. C'est pour cela que je préférer que vous fixiez vous-même le temps de votre arrivé.

Nous sommes encore ici pour une grande partie de l'été; ainsi donc vs pouvez venir quand bon vous semble. Et surtout arrangerez-vous de ???? à rester aussi long-temps que possible; vous devez au moins nous donner 19 jours ou 3 semaines, si cela vous est permis.

J'espère que Mount Desert ne vs attires pas trop; c'est pour cela que je veux vs. guarder. Je désire faire d'avance un arrangement avec vous: que vs. soyez tout à fait libre de votre temps, comme si vous étiez chez vous. Je sais qu'il y a des hôtes qui veulent toujours faires des programmes pour leurs invités, et de cette manière, leur être fort désagréables. Mais comme je veux que vous ayez avec nous "a nice time", j'éspère que vs accepterez cette condition et que vs vous distraierez autant que possible.

Il n'y a pas grand chose maintenant; on se repose. Mais on se voit dans l'intimité; nous sommes à la maison une fois par semaine le soir pour le corps diplomatique seulement; nous commencerons probablement mardi prochaine.

Nous ferons de longues promenades en voiture; Papa vient de nous acheter un petit "panier" que je conduis moi-même, comme nous aurons alors le temps de bavarder!

Au revoir, chère Ami, et à bientôt. Faites-moi savoir tout de suite quand vs venez.

Votre sincère amie,

Les courses commencent le 14 et durent jusqu'au 17 moi. Etes-vous temptée? ...

Milles amitiés à votre maman.

note in the corner: Everyone is delighted with your arrival.

British Legation
Washington, D.C.
7 May /84

My dear Amy,

Victoria

Finally I am well pleased to know that you are coming to stay with us "for sure." I would have liked for you to be here for the races; that would have amused you; but I fear from your letter that you will not be able to. You ask me to fix the day that would be the best for me to have you. The sooner the better.

Perhaps you have some errands and purchases to make in New York; then you will probably desire a little free time. It's for that reason that I would prefer you to fix yourself the time of your arrival. We are still here for a large part of the summer; thus you can come when it seems good for you. And above all arrange things so as to remain as long as possible, you must at least give us 19 days or three weeks, if that is permitted.

I hope that Mount Desert does not attract you too much; it is for that reason that I want to keep you. I wish to make in advance an arrangement with you: that your time should be completely free, as if you were in your own home. I know that there are hosts who always want to make programs for their guests, and in this manner, they are quite disagreeable. I want for you to have with us "a nice time," I hope that you will accept this condition and that you will amuse yourself as much as possible.

Nothing much is going on now; one rests. But we see each other in private; we are at home one night each week for the diplomatic corps only; we will probably begin next Tuesday.

We take long carriage trips; Papa just bought us a little "wagon" which I drive myself; how we will then have the time to gossip!

Au revoir, dear Amy, and a bientot. Let me know soon when you are coming.

Your sincere friend,
Victoria

The races begin the 14th and last until 17 May. Are you tempted?

Notes: Mount Desert Island is a summer resort off the coast of East central Maine which now forms part of Acadia National Park. The resort first gained popularity with academics and artists who journeyed their for summer vacations, but sadly the paintings produced by the artists popularized the resort which began to draw the social and wealthy and rival Newport in its "cottages," if not in its hotels, which were notoriously non-luxurious for the time. Amy apparently accepted Victoria's invitation as she received a letter in January 1885 with "British Legation, Washington, D.C." as her address.

23 Décembre

Ma chère Amy,

J'ai juste une minute avant de sortir pour vous envoyer me meillieurs souhaits pour la Noël. Quant à ceux pour la nouvelle année, je sais que j'aurai la plaisir de vous les dire verbalement.

Je vous attends la semaine prochaine, et je compte que vs me ferez savoir le jour et l'heure de votre arrivée ici. Vos amis vous attend avec beaucoup d'impatience, et surtout celles qui habitent á la Légation Britannique.

Monsieur Valera trépique de plaisir en pensant que vs serez ici bientôt.

Je crois que Madame la femme devrait en être avertie!

Papa donne un grand bal à Flora le 6 janvier. Et nous allons chez la Président le matin du 1er.

Au revoir, ma chérie, j'ai tellement à faire que je ne sais où donner de la tête.

Votre amie

Victoria

Mille bons souhaits à tous les vôtres.

23 December

My Dear Amy,

I have just a minute before leaving to send you my best wishes for Christmas. As for those for the new year, I know that I will have the pleasure to give you them orally. I await your arrival here next week, and I trust that you will let me know the day and the hour. Your friends await you with great impatience, espeicially those who inhabit the British Legation. Monsieur Valera jumps with pleasure thinking that you will be here soon. I believe that Madame his wife should be warned of it! Papa is giving a grand ball for Flora on 6 January. And we are going to the White House the morning of the first.

Au revoir, ma cherie, I have so much to do that I don't know what to think.

Your friend,
Victoria

A thousand best wishes to all of yours.

Notes: don Juan Valera y Alcala Galiano, 1824-1915, was the minister of Spain to the United States from January 1884 until 1886. Valera was also a poet and novelist as well as a diplomat. His novels were not known as being particularly good, but he was a pioneer of what was to eventually develop into a Spanish school of fiction. His best known novel was Pepita Jimenez. He had a reputation as a womanizer. His wife, Dolores Delavat, was twenty years his junior and remained conveniently in Spain, so he was free to socialize extensively. One of his reputed mistresses was Katherine Lee Bayard, the daughter of the secretary of state from 7 March 1885 through 6 March 1889, Thomas Francis Bayard, and the sister of Amy's friend Mabel Bayard Warren. In January 1886, three days after Valera's transfer orders, Katherine committed suicide.

Juan Valera y Alcala Galiano

Valera was born on 18 October 1824, so he was 59 when in 20 January 1884 he arrived in Washington DC and moved into 14 Lafayette Square, close to the White House. He wrote his friend Menéndez Pelayo "y hasta me llaman handsome, que tengo heromosos ojos," observers remarked he looked younger than 50.[7] He would serve in the position until being named Minister to Brussels on 25 January 1886, a position he would assume in 11 May. Katherine Bayard, the daughter of the Secretary of State, committed suicide 16 January, apparently after being informed by Valera of his imminent departure. According to his biographer, Valera had fallen in love with Catherine soon after his arrival in Washington.

1884