Jump to Main Content
  Advanced Search Subject Search

Records - 31 to 35 of 9303
Biographical details : show | hide
Author: Irving, Sir Henry >>
Address: -
Recipient: Irving, Florence >>
Address: -
Date: [1867?] 
Document Type: Letter
Content Summary: He rejoices that she loves him and expresses his own unworthiness - he hopes to meet her alone. On Sunday they must be silent. Can her mother accept him as a son? Clement and Montague asked if the flower was from her but did not think him sincere when he said "yes". He is weary without her. He hopes she will never change, and feels her truth.
Published: -
Notes: Typewritten transcript.
Document Holder: THM (Reference: THM/37/1/7)
Ref.No: 1777    
Author: Irving, Sir Henry >>
Address: -
Recipient: Irving, Florence >>
Address: -
Date: [1867?] 
Document Type: Letter (3 p.)
Content Summary: The train they had better catch leaves Cannon St at 12.40. As it may take longer to get from Charing Cross he will follow the example of "the early worm that gathers the moss". Their pieces are not over until ten past eleven - if Florence waits until then and he does not think she will have patience, he will meet her in the lobby - if not the following day. The 'Morning Star' was coupling his name with Blake & Joyce (ye Gods!) asking why they slight the audience and their art by wearing moustachios at a period when they were never worn. The critic luckily does not equate Irving's acting with the other pair who are only capable of unconscious caricatures of their parts. Irving's part is a really great success. She and her mother will probably be disgusted but the vulgar public enjoy it thoroughly. He hopes Sunday may be a propitious day with sunshine in the heavens and her smile. With love to her mother. (Postscript:) He encloses a [voucher? ] for the seats.
Published: -
Notes: The plays criticised are hard to indentify - later in 1868, Bob Gassitt is called a "disgusting part" but this writing paper is watermarked 1866. The plays may be 'The School for Scandal' followed by 'Robert Macaire' at the St James's Theatre in March 1867. If Irving refers to 'Dearer than Life' the preceding play was 'Katherine and Petruchio' where moustaches might be worn? Joyce is probably Walter Joyce, d.1916.
Document Holder: THM (Reference: THM/39/4/1)
Ref.No: 4592    
Author: Irving, Sir Henry >>
Address: -
Recipient: Irving, Florence >>
Address: -
Date: [1867?] 
Document Type: Letter
Content Summary: He longs for their meeting. He describes the effects of her kisses and responds to her intensity. "As I strive to picture the bliss in store I shudder lest my demon should make us part. Nothing but death shall sever me..." He expresses his adoration and longs for their union.
Published: -
Notes: Typewritten transcript.
Document Holder: THM (Reference: THM/37/1/8)
Ref.No: 1785    
Author: Irving, Sir Henry >>
Address: -
Recipient: Irving, Florence >>
Address: -
Date: [1867?], [July?] 
Document Type: Letter
Content Summary: He thanks her for her loving and impassioned words. Do not let the fickle weather prevent them from meeting the next day. The previous night he felt that the "stuck-up people" and everyone but Florence was a bore. They could hardly speak and he wanted to say so much. He refers to his O'Hooligan character and Clement Scott. He refers to wasted years and wishes he had known her earlier. He has lived a reckless, never wicked life and now has a being to work for and worship. He thanks God for her "magical power" and the ecstasy of kissing her.
Published: -
Notes: Typewritten transcript. The weather reference is to St Swithin's Day (July 15), but the letter may be earlier as Irving played O'Hooligan in March 1867.
Document Holder: THM (Reference: THM/37/1/9)
Ref.No: 1773    
Author: Irving, Sir Henry >>
Address: In the train to Manchester
Recipient: Irving, Florence >>
Address: -
Date: 1867, Aug. 
Document Type: Letter
Content Summary: ... an exodus of histrionic talent from London - "Irving (you've heard of that great man) and oh ye Gods - Nellie Moore are bound for Manchester, but I must dissemble. The night is lonely and Henry sleepy - dozing and dreaming of Flo." Although he will see many old faces he longs to return to one...
Published: -
Notes: Typewritten transcript. Unsigned and unaddressed.
Document Holder: THM (Reference: THM/37/1/8)
Ref.No: 1775    
Records - 31 to 35 of 9303

Holding Organisations