BRACERS Record Detail for 17114

To access the original letter, email the Russell Archives.

Collection code
RA3
Recent acquisition no.
69
Document no.
000047
Box no.
2.53
Filed
OM scans 18_5: 115
Source if not BR
Texas, U. of, HRC
Recipient(s)
Morrell, Ottoline
Sender(s)
BR
Date
1911/04/28*
Form of letter
ALS(DX)
Pieces
2E
BR's address code (if sender)
LUN
Notes and topics

Went to see Fanny's First Play [Shaw].

Transcription

BR TO OTTOLINE MORRELL, [28 APR. 1911]
BRACERS 17114. ALS. Morrell papers #47, Texas
Proofread by K. Blackwell et al.


In the undergound
<letterhead>
Trinity College,
Cambridge.1, 2
Friday night

My Dearest Dearest

It was heavenly today — it seemed such a sense of peace and perfect union — every time it gets more absolute. Darling I feel sure that in a lifetime we shall grow together more and more, and bring out each other’s best. I have such a sense of everything going smoothly between us from similarity of instincts. It is funny, because it is true in the main, as you were saying, that you are simple, and I am not. The remarks I put into the mouth of the Devil in the beginning of my “Free Man’s Worship”a I think would not come natural to you, as they do to me. And though I love beauty as much (I believe) as you do, I suppose I have less love of art, at any rate of painting. I am trying to think up what I can of differences, so as to know that none would matter in the long run. As regards love of truth, I think your sincerity is more absolute and reliable than mine, and that is the most important part of love of truth. I do really believe neither of us would get to care less for the other in a lifetime. And for both of us it was very hard indeed to meet any one of whom that would be true. This is a very sober letter because I have gone on thinking of what we talked about at the end of our train journey, and it is no use to consider that in any but the most sober spirit. And when I have just been with you I feel the feebleness and stiffness of words so much that they seem useless. But O Dearest I love you more and more and more, and find each time a more perfect content in being with you.

You might look at Cheyne Cottage, Cheyne Row, when you can, but don’t give them your name. There are unfurnished houses to be had in that region but they looked squalid. I went to see Fanny’s first Play3 and was mildly amused. Goodbye my Darling I must stop. I feel your lips still Dearest and I am full of happiness — I must add that I should be very very loath to die now. What made me half enjoy the recent alarm was the effort I had to make to behave as if nothing had happened, and the feeling that the effort succeeded, and the heightened sense of life that came of realizing Death.

Goodbye — I arrive.

Your
B

  • 1

    [document] Document 000047. Proofread against a colour scan of the original.

  • 2

    [envelope] A circled “47”.

  • 3

    Fanny’s first PlayPerformed as an anonymous piece beginning in London on 19 April 1911, it was soon recognized as by Shaw.

Textual Notes

  • a

    “Free Man’s Worship” quote marks added

Permission
Everyone
Transcription Public Access
Yes
Record no.
17114
Record created
May 29, 1990
Record last modified
Jun 23, 2025
Created/last modified by
blackwk