WILLIAM ROSE BENET - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/08/1928 - HFSID 72970

WILLIAM ROSE BENET
Unaware that his wife, Elinor Wylie, is soon to die, he signs a typed letter to a friend, expressing confidence that she will recover and begin work on a new novel.
Typed Letter signed: "William Rose Benet", 3 pages, 5½x8½. New York, N.Y., 1928 October 8. On letterhead of the Saturday Review to "Dear Mrs. [J. Mayhew] Wainwright. In full: "Thank you so much for your letter. It was indeed pretty terrible for Elinor and she was a perfect hero about it. Thanks to a good Providence the backbone seems to have knit and healed all right. The letters I have had from Elinor since I left (I had to return the end of August) have been reassuring. Her last one, written September 25th, says, 'I am very well and happy - each time, as for instance yesterday, that I see the turmoil and soot of London, I rejoice to be living in the country. I am a perfect fool for love of it.' She is living at present at Riverslea, Marsh Lock, Henley-on-Thames. After October 18th she will be at The Old Cottage, Henley-on Thames. She is not sailing back until November 17th, and I fear, therefore that the Century Club on November 22nd is out of the question. Even in the event that she could get here before the 22nd, I am sure she could not undertake a trip like that so soon after landing, in her present condition, which is good - but the nervous shock has lingered, and while I was there she was subject to severe neuritis. She will try to work quietly here in New York during the winter, probably upon a new novel which she wanted to begin in England. In the Spring she will return there, for she loves the Spring and Summer in England. I should advise writing her to Henley and suggesting a March date. I think she will be leaving rather early in the Spring. I deeply appreciate all you say of her. All you say of her nature is true and I am so glad to hear you say it. I know that Elinor is devoted to you, and I know what you all must have gone through on the Savoie together. I shall forward to her your letter. Thank you also very deeply for your sympathy and thankfulness on my account. I can only thank God. It was a genuine miracle. She exhibited, of course, the most extraordinary courage, but when has she not? We had a nice quiet time in Henley during August and some most lovely evenings in a canoe on the river. With my most sincere thanks, Very truly yours". Fine condition. Accompanied by his autograph envelope signed "W R Benet" above printed return address of The Saturday Review, addressed in his hand to "Mrs J. Mayhew Wainwright,/912 Clay Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania". Lightly toned. Frayed along opening at top edge. Otherwise, fine condition. William Rose Benet(1886-1950), the brother of poet Stephen Vincent Benet (1898-1943) and husband of poet and novelist Elinor Wylie (1885-1928), founded the "Saturday Review of Literature" (1924), editing it until his death. He was also an accomplished poet, winning the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry (1942) for "The Dust Which is God." Benet's hopes for his wife's recovery were ill founded. Elinor Wylie, suffering from Bright's disease aggravated by a bad fall, died of a stroke on December 16, 1928. Benet edited and published her final volume of poetry. Two items.