Reflections, 1912-1914

File — Box: 37-40, Volume: 1

Identifier: VII

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

"This book is to write what I please in!, what I feel and how I feel it. I often want to write because I feel like writing and think I ought to record the present thoughts as they pass so they can be used afterward." (page 7)
"Recently a new scheme has entered my mind. . . . I thought of writing a story of adventure and killing robbers on a lovely island . . . . I think I want a change, and killing people who need killing always did have an attraction for me." (page 15)
"I get enough physical exercise but it gives me pleasure to exercise my imagination." (page 23)
"Better is a genuine whole hearted sinner than an insincere sanctimonious hypocrite.
"Our age is so insincere and shallow that it must change or go down." (page 105)
"Alone and in the morning ones imagination is brighter and freer hope higher and life sweeter. Alone, or with a very close companion." (page 113)
"There is poetry in the common homely every-day scenes if one has the faculty of seeing them." (page 115)
"All through my life I have bought books thinking they would help me to write and get money back. But with me this seems to be the ever receding mirage." (page 119)
"I have wondered what I would do if I should sell a couple of things [manuscripts] and get a good price for them. I presume I would think that I could do almost anything." (page 125)
"I have worked faithfully for the institution [Carnegie] which has employed me, at first on an insulting wage--not worthy of the dignified apellation of a salary. To get this few dollars a month I was obliged to part with my collection at what they chose to pay--at about what I had paid for freight.
"Since then I have worked faithfully. I have added many valuable things to the collections and I have been so fortunate as to make one of the greatest discoveries ever made in the line on which has added immensely to this collection and has brought it much reputation and[?] fame.
"I have been a humble servant but have done the work cheerfully because I loved it. I have felt that I was fortunate that I could do my favorite work and have my expenses paid." (pages 129, 130)
"I am not the one to go and make a plea [to my employers] for myself to tell what I have done. I have tried that once or twice in time past and have been twitted with my assumed inferiority. I do it no more." (page 131)

Dates

1912-1914

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.