File:Erica (Thorp) de Berry to Anne Allegra (Longfellow) Thorp, 15 October 1918 (af5da04b-62a5-4945-b9f7-f2da426c83c4).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1006/004.006.002-006#040

Lacaune
October 15[?], 1918
Darlingest Mamma,
A happy, happy birthday to you, and such a great heartful of birthday love! How I wish it were the crackling parlor fire flame that I was sitting in front of with you all instead of a dying, deserted salon one[?] --
[page 2] But “keep the home fires burning” for me and it won’t be long now before we will be all together again –
How perfectly un-graspable it all is. Can any one of you believe it?!
This last week has been such a busy one that for two days actually, I didn’t have time to think of Peace.
[page 3] The Sisters and 50 little ones got off finally on Saturday en camion, the weather pouring torrents after weeks of clearness. Since then life has been a bit pandemonic. An entirely new personnel had to be installed [crossed out: and] four of [crossed out: them] whom[sic] promptly fell ill; the weather became impossible, and the younger boys, still dragging on in vacation, because we cannot get the teachers we’d hoped for, suddenly freed from the religious yoke, went on a tear trying out the new surveillantes to see how far they could go. But things are beginning to get into shape now, and I have the supreme delight, being now the boss of discipline and all, of trying out self-government methods with “sergeants” appointed from the older boys, three of them, who form a Council of State with me to run the colony. Under them are “moniteurs” of the
[page 4] various departments, dortoirs, refectoire, chanderie, bois etc. and all have their names posted on typewritten lists in their respective dommions[sic].
You can’t imagine twhat it means to have full say in the running of things now. With the Sisters I was the connecting link between colony and comité[?] and could only suggest, not absolutely command.
Now to really be able to work out my dreams for the colony
[page 5] in my own way, in the light of all the experience we’ve had up to now, is positively dazzling. The Catholic disciplinary regime is a thing that can’t be interfered with, based [crossed out: of course] on the doctrine of not trusting a person out of sight. Someday I’ll tell you all the “innards[?]” of things – It’s an extraordinary and marvelous institution and a real experience to live in the midst of it. Of course we can’t change systems
[page 6] overnight, but gradually we’re working towards self-government and personal responsibility, and it’s as thrilling an experience living it through with these boys as anything I can imagine. I thought I was pretty close to them before, but it was nothing [sic] to the present “we’re de famille” feeling, beginning with ringing the 6:30 rising bell and ending with tucking them all in, and giving medicines and putting on vaseline to chapped hands -- We hope to have a French Red Cross nurse soon, as it’s impossible to get an American one these days. Dr. Little can’t come after all – isn’t it a crime!
The personnel is[sic] [??] from all corners of France, mostly devoted co-workers of Mlle de Rose who’s to stay into the winter with us. I have an “econome” to keep all the accts. [crossed out: control] do the housekeeping, keep inventories etc., a fine local cook in a little frilled bonnet, with four sturdy souls to help her, two
[page 7] capable women and five-sewing girls for the lingerie ovestiaire[?], young girls to survey the housework in the doitoirs and refectoire, all done by the boys, a local cobbler and carpenter for the shop work, two men to chop wood, one man--of--all--work, five washerwomen, two souls to do the heavy cleaning, special people who come on bath-days & help, wonderful Miss Valentine for gymnastics and handwork, three
[page 8] teachers when they get here, and most precious of all, the abbé who has been a perfect brick at every moment!
He’s the most liberal minded of his cult that I know and enthusiastically backs up my educational ideas, talking to the boys in chapel in just the right away[sic]. Alas! He’s not well enough to stay all winter, but I hope can come back in
[page 9] the Spring, if we’re still here.
As soon as the schedule gets settled with classes & things we’re going to have an evening hour of music, reading, etc. Oh, such plans as we have! All the religious education side I leave to Mlle de Rose, who is the most truly religious person I’ve ever known of that faith in practising[sic] every minute what she believes and living literally a saint’s life. She will be able to put a spirit into the horrible catechisms & things that they never had when ground[?] out by the yard[?] as of yore.
Well, you can see how absorbing it all is, and how thrilled I am with everything.
I’m sending you “La Jeunesse Nouvelle” which I’ve read in minutes travelling to Castres, and love. I thought all through how much you’d love it. Excuse [??] condition a beautiful of deepest love, dearest Mamma
From your Bunn who so small & inexperienced before the bigness[?] of things, but loves it all just the same. [This is partly written up the right side of the sheet and across part of its top.]

• Keywords: long archives; henry w. longfellow family papers (long 27930); erica (thorp) de berry; document; correspondence; events; birthday; europe; france; lacaune; subject; education; school; war; world war i; Erica Thorp deBerry Papers (1006/004.006); (LONG-SeriesName); Outgoing (1006/004.006.002); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1918 (1006/004.006.002-006); (LONG-FileUnitName)