My Miss Alice (1),
You will never guess what I have found at the Shirmer (2) music store today. Enclosed here is a little treat from our University Teaching days in Madison. Don’t you remember that concert in 1905 (1), where you were able to play for the most beautiful vocalists? Can you believe it’s been 15 years (1,3)?
Merry Christmas to you, I hope your family is having a great holiday. When we were in younger, I used to grow so sick of playing the same carols over and over again. Now, I wait eagerly to hear them. It’s funny, the way things change over time. I’m very glad to have found the perfect gift for you.
I did not realize that they printed copies of In a Persian Garden with musical score, and so nicely bound next to Liszt and Mendelssohn (4), too! In my day, I have seen many a set of the Rubaiyat, and of course, I kept the programme from the opening night at the Madison Woman’s Club, some ages ago. I remember how frustrated I was that they left you off the programme when your contributions were just as meaningful as that Genevieve Smith(1) woman—why should someone only be considered important if they can shrill a high note enough to shatter glass?
I thought someday that I would find a nice record of the music, or a copy of the poem so that you could mark the pages with this pamphlet, but to find the music itself! What a delight.
I can practically hear the way you played, and Professor Baas (1) sang while reading over the score for “Myself when young.” (5)
Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Sant and heard great argument—
But evermore
Came out by that same door where in I went.
And so of course, thinking of us now, even older than the days where we taught that music, I give to you this line, which I hope you can still play.
Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
Before we too into the Dust descend!
I hope you are living life as fully as you can, Alice. The time has most certainly flown. Someday, you must play it for me again.
Your dearest friend,
Winifred (6).