Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber’s Note
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MY DEAR CORNELIA

_My dear Cornelia_

BY

STUART P. SHERMAN

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY PRESS

BOSTON

COPYRIGHT 1924 BY STUART P. SHERMAN

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

_My dear Cornelia:_

_You and I have discovered many little differences of opinion; but we have always had so much in common, so many tastes and quite elementary convictions, that, years and years ago, I tried to persuade you that we ought to take a stand together. On that point we failed to reach an agreement; and which of us was right is a question that you have never since been willing to debate with me._

_There is another point, however, which I have long desired to discuss with you: that is our common liking for dedicated things. I wish to dedicate this little book to you—my share in it. The task embarrasses me; for, wherever in these pages I find anything that seems to me blithe or charming or wise, instantly I recognize that it is not mine but yours. Here then, in justice, I restore to you these feebly recorded memories of our walks and talks in sunlight and moonlight._

_While I am confessing, I will tell you what perhaps I haven’t mentioned before, that it was Mr. M. A. De Wolfe Howe who urged me to draw you into our conversation on religion. And I really ought to mention Mr. Ellery Sedgwick; but, the fact is, I have been just a bit jealous of him since he sent that telegram—I showed it to you, did I not?—shortly after he made your acquaintance, saying, “I am desperately in love with Cornelia.”_

_Of course I don’t mind your being admired, afar off, by anyone who pleases, no matter how dangerous he may be at close range; but this page, you must understand, exists only to record that I am_

_Ever faithfully yours,
S._

_Santo Espiritu, Midsummer, 1924_

CONTENTS

BOOK ONE: CHALLENGING THE IDEA OF CHASTITY

PAGE

I. WE DISCUSS THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS AND CRITICS 3

II. I MEDITATE, IN FRONT OF A BOOKCASE, ON SCOTT, JANE AUSTEN,
CHARLOTTE BRONTË, AND THE GOOD VICTORIANS 17

III. H. G. WELLS, GALSWORTHY, MAY SINCLAIR, J. D. BERESFORD 27

IV. SEVEN REASONS FOR MR. HERGESHEIMER, D. H. LAWRENCE, AND THE
EMETIC SCHOOL 35

V. WE DISCUSS MARRIAGE AND THE HOPE OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION 48

BOOK TWO: AN ELIGIBLE YOUNG MAN

I. CORNELIA’S CHILDREN REACT TO A SUITABLE MATCH 61

II. “LET’S WALK” 67

III. PREREQUISITES OF A DECENT MARRIAGE 73

IV. CORNELIA APPRECIATES HER HUSBAND 80

V. WE DISCUSS THE INNER LIFE 86

VI. A THEORY OF HAPPINESS 91

VII. THE REAL THING 97

BOOK THREE: TREATING OF MODERN GIRLS

I. THE EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS 103

II. FLAGS OF REVOLT 118

III. BLOOM 120

IV. CAREERS FOR WOMEN 129

BOOK FOUR: CORNELIA AND DIONYSUS

I. ENNUI IN THE PROVINCES 139

II. NEW YEAR’S EVE IN NEW YORK 150

III. HIS EXCELLENCY ON ECONOMIC NECESSITY 162

IV. VERNON WILLYS ON BACCHIC ECSTASY 171

V. I EXPLAIN THE POSITION OF CÆSAR’S WIVES 184

VI. I DISCUSS THE ETHICS OF AN AUTOMOBILING CIVILIZATION 203

VII. THE VENGEANCE OF DIONYSUS 211

BOOK FIVE: APPROACHING RELIGION AND OTHER GRAVE MATTERS

I. WE MEET IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 223

II. OLIVER JUNIOR DISCUSSES HIS PARENTS, THEIR RELIGION, AND
HIS OWN 230

III. TABLE TALK AT SANTO ESPIRITU 245

IV. A SILENCE BY THE SEA 253

V. CORNELIA’S RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE 267