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Feb. 19, 1869.
I have had the pleasure of dining with that remarkable woman and once distinguished actress,
Miss Charlotte Cushman.
Her nephew was consul at
Rome, appointed by
William H. Seward, who was one of her warmest American friends.
She is still queen of the stage, and of her own household, and unconsciously gives orders to the servants in a dramatic manner which is sometimes very amusing.
So it was to hear her sing, “Mary, call the cattle home,” as if she were sending for the heavy artillery.
She impresses me, however, as one of the most genuine of womankind; and her conversation is delightful,--so sympathetic, appreciative, full of strong good sense, and fresh original views.
She has small mercy on newly-converted
Catholics.
“The faults of men,” she said, “are chiefly those of strength, but the faults of my own sex arise from weakness.”
I happened to refer to
Mr. Appleton's bust of
Aurelius, and she said she was surprised he had purchased it, for it did not seem to her a satisfactory copy; a conclusion that I had been slowly coming to myself.
She has a bronze replica of
Story's “
Beethoven” which, like most of his statues, is seated in a chair, and a rather realistic work, as
Miss Cushman admitted.
I judged from the conversation at table that she is not treated with full respect by the
English and American society here, although
