Elizabeth
242. Robert Lowell to MRS ELIZABETH LOWELL
[Telegram]
[Maidstone, Kent]
[March 24, 1973]
MRS ELIZABETH LOWELL 15 WEST67STREET
NEWYORKCITY
HARRIET ARRIVED SAFELY MATURELY AND GLORIOUSLY LOVE
CAL
243. Elizabeth Hardwick to Robert Lowell
[15 West 67th Street, New York, N.Y.]
March 31, 1973
Dearest Cal: Harriet had a really lovely visit, came home her dear self to her waiting Mother. I’ll try to get her to write a note, but she goes back to school almost immediately, has been on the telephone all the rest of the time. I suppose it will take a few more years before the demands of politeness become a pleasure—at least after one has done them. But, in any case, she was utterly pleased and happy with her trip. I will be in touch with you about the summer. The month of August in Ireland with a group is definite. It isn’t the worst kind of cycling which our very own muscleless, lazy dear nymph would take to less well than she imagines. One week on a barge, all very nice and yet simple hosteling. That does leave, for her, the rest of the summer. But I am not at all sure what form that will take. I like her to have a good time, she has a really nice, bright friend at last,51 most of the old ones being sort of bound in one way or another. Still neither the other parents nor I will want them altogether “free” and so don’t worry. I am in favor of some sort of English visit if it suits all of you and works with the group. For a couple of weeks before the month in Ireland. But later.
I am writing this about the infernal taxes. Naturally no word from Henshaw. The day grows near.52 I am not at all sure that you want us to do yours. I simply cannot explain it all, but Nat H. tells me I can do mine and be rid of it immediately. You see you do have to list the money you pay us as your income and then deduct it, etc., etc. You and I are not on a joint return; I was just willing to help this year here. But I think it would be better for you to get in touch with the situation (inwardly in touch) because I naturally can’t bother about this, the reminder year after year. Nat H. doesn’t even know whether he is supposed to do it or not. If the English material isn’t in by this week do you want an extension until June—some fines, etc.—but that is what you did last year, waiting. Also, for the future I hear there is an international tax firm in London who might do it for you. But here is Mr. Hoffman’s address for your books.
Mr. Nat Hoffman
41 East 42nd St.
New York, New York
This is just to say that I will not be worrying about your return and that you are on your own. I will give figures if you want to do it. (All of this always sounds like a rebuke. It isn’t. I just want you not to get in trouble about this—and it is trouble I assure you.)
I spent a few luxe days in Nassau. Grace was very nice, but oh! She wants I think to sell her place there, but it isn’t easy. Bob is fine. Stephen S. has been here, but I saw him only once.
Let’s see. Elizabeth Bishop had a poem in the N. Yorker. “Evening News” I think it was called.53 Obscure, but brilliant indeed. I wish I had time to write more or had more that seemed needful of communication. But anyway forgive the last tax tirade. I feel like a retiring civil servant! Much love and thanks for Harriet—if that is not an insult. I mean thanks for sharing our oh-so-nice creature with me.
Elizabeth
244. Robert Lowell to Mrs. Elizabeth Lowell
Milgate Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent
[April 4, 1973]54
Dearest Lizzie:
Now Harriet has gone and come back to you, leaving me with two days of acute heaviness—not unpleasant like growing pains—hers. What do I mean? It’s that we remain the same, and she changes, almost while one watched. But which moves, the rushing train or the still station? It’s that her character and characteristics are now somewhat as they must be, yet her next years are lost in fog.
I think her summer needs more planning. Just to stay on her own in London doing nothing but following impulse might be confusing. It wouldn’t be responsible or entirely safe to leave her alone in Redcliffe Square for a month. London’s not like New York; it’s safe enough to stroll at night. Still two young girls alone in an often empty house—they could be followed by an unknown interested man, as one of our nurses was—when we were there and she could threaten to scream. I would like her to have someone she knows to come back to. I think some sort of sculpture class would help too. Then let her be on her own. I’m sure I can find something, if I have her desires and dates. I think she set her heart on being on her own in London—even more than the bicycle trip.
We saw the Doll’s House,55 and I turned back to your review. Act 3 bothers me—first the uninspired coming together of Mrs. Linde and Krogstad then Torvald’s drunkenness, the most amusing moment in the play, then Nora’s tirade—it’s a Browning outpouring. Like you I can’t fit it to the earlier, subtly drawn Nora, but life is like that and feminine hysteria56—but it’s all so badly written. Wasn’t it even when first done shock or force expressed by stereotype? Or is it the translation—this one57 seemed worse than the old Archer.58 I think Ibsen loved her and intensely hated her—to the point of glamour, to the point of irony.
Well, another woman, Harriet. We loved the moments. Everyone who saw her was struck by her beauty and intelligence—some more by one, some more the other.
Several things I’ve enjoyed. Somebody’s piece on Pound, much better reasoned than I could do; Alfred’s nostalgic but beautiful picture of the New York that has disappeared; the Brodskys quoted by Auden.59 I got a new magazine in which 23 poets review 63 poets, all in one issue.60
All my Love to you. What are your plans?
Cal
245. Robert Lowell to Harriet Lowell
Milgate Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent, England
April 5, 1973
Dearest Harriet:
We’ve found two art schools in London that have sculpture (rather a lost art compared with painting). I think both have lodging and can be taken by the week. They are not especially just for youths such as you, and won’t have stern rules. Cleaning my study this morning, I carefully tucked the brochures in a special place for them—and now they are utterly lost. I can see the large prospectus page and the little application slips.
Tidiness must be the happiest of virtues—wash, sort, write down numbers—but it’s no way to get rich. Life’s a little empty without you. I am going on a short fishing trip to Westmoreland (Lake District in the North) around Easter. Oh the next best virtue to tidiness is foresight, always have double what you need, cigarette lighters, money. So I give you the name of the agency for art schools, Gabbitas Thring Educational Trust, 6 Sackville St. London W1. The art schools might be crowded, so you should apply before you come.
I’d write you more and more interestingly, but a day of tidying and sorting has deadened my mind. Your visit was an even greater joy than last year, maybe in a way because I can’t remember much of anything we did, except two plays, the Old Colony Club,61 the wait for land-reports. The farmer is asking about twice what the land is worth; and then, more important, it looks every day harder to get people to work in country houses. If I did it, think what a valuable man I’d be, able to work any where!
All our love,
Daddy
246. Robert Lowell to Mrs. Elizabeth Lowell
Milgate Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent, Eng.
April 5 [1973]
Dearest Lizzie—
You may get this letter before one I wrote five days ago, took to London for quick mailing, and finally left with a friend when I rushed for a train. It crossed with yours and said some of the same things. Yes, it seemed as though Harriet much enjoyed herself without being pressured. It wasn’t possible or perhaps desirable to introduce her to someone her age in so short a time. Sixteen year-olders seem a dying species, so few do I see—only rumors of someone who turns out on examination to be twenty.
It would be better to go to jail than disentangle the income tax. I stare at the forms like a catatonic. Yes, I do want an extension.
The agency that handles Art Schools is Gabbitas Thring Educational Trust, 6 Sackville St. London W1. I just got the forms, carefully stowed them away, and can’t find them. If all three of us make an effort, something should happen. I like Cathy62 and like the idea of their coming here.
Help is beginning to get as difficult here as in America and may make it impractical to live in this wonderful quiet big house. However, summer brings floods of students (college)[.] I wonder if Cathy and Harriet … But baby-sitting is harder than bicycling.
The demands of politeness—I must thank the people who got us tickets.
Blair has just had a son.63 Elizabeth Bishop is buying a wharf-apartment overlooking Boston Harbor. I’m spring-fever stricken, or maybe it’s just things like the income tax, many of them,
all love as always,
Cal
247. Elizabeth Hardwick to Robert Lowell
[15 West 67th Street, New York, N.Y.]
April 9, 1973
Dear Cal: I was supposed to go to the Univ. of Wisconsin today for a lecture, but it was cancelled because of a blizzard! So the old country goes on in its wild, frontier ways. And yet once more on the taxes. This is the “transitional year” and I have done mine, but they are nothing because I have only listed what I earned myself. You see we have single returns this year and all the money you have given us is filed with the government under your name and will go into your single tax form. Of course when that is done I will pay the taxes, pro-rated, on the part of your return I owe. We have asked for an extension for you until June 15th. Nat says he must have everything well before that. All the forms sent you from here, all your English earnings, etc. So will you please advise Henshaw. I wish to get it done as soon as possible. Next year you will list the things the same, but I will not be concerned with that because whether you file or not I can, next year, (this year, 1973) just put on my own return what I got from you and pay the tax on it, without caring whether you have filed or not. I can’t do that this year because I am not allowed to except for the period after our divorce.
I had a long, heart-breaking letter from [X.Y.]. I do grieve for them and for their children. I know so well how devastating all this can be, trying to call doctors, wondering what to do, waiting, grieving, suffering. We never know what’s ahead of us. Perhaps all you can stand on is love and compassion; they expose you to pain, but who would want to be empty and free. I feel very lucky in so many ways. These last years have in the end dealt very kindly with me. I am closer to more people, care more for them, feel more happiness somehow. It is quite strange, stranger than you can really imagine.
The Peter Taylors and son were here and we went to see, with Harriet, a not very good production for Pirandello’s Henry IV.64 Harriet was not inclined to any approval of “Ross” Taylor! His long hair and his little man version of his father’s clothes, down to the hat, with the little white shirt, loafers … I am sure he must be quite all right, nice, good, intelligent, but to her he came from the moon, with the bit of a dwarf, square astronaut in him.
I see today is Monday. Wednesday I am going to Elizabeth’s reading and then to a large party afterward, given by the Hollanders. Will save this until then.
Tuesday65
Your letter about Harriet was lovely and filled me with happiness. I showed it to her and she was blushing with pleasure, especially at “intelligent.” About the summer: we are in complete agreement. Of course she and Cathy can’t stay alone in London in Caroline’s house; they aren’t old enough or capable enough and I don’t think they would really want it. At the moment the plan seems to be, in so far as England is concerned, maybe a week in Kent at the end of July if that is convenient for your family. They can bike around during the day. At the end they will meet their group in London and go with them for the Ireland trip and then home with the group.
I do hope she will have a week or so in Amsterdam with Cathy’s family. C.’s father66 will be at the University of Amsterdam for the summer. Amsterdam: Adrienne was here to spend the night recently, bearing a letter from Judith Van Leeuwen67 saying Huyck had left her for someone “younger,” blonder. She was distressed (Judith) and Adrienne was depressed. I saw them on my trip; she absolutely beautiful, he, thin, rather dry as always. I have never found him attractive as a “man”—whatever we women mean by that. I guess it means you would never want him as a lover. And there is something rather unimaginative about him, even if a great deal that is very intelligent and handsome. He must be sixty, since I always think of him as older than we are. As a man with women I think of him as “abstract”—working out some picture of himself in his affairs and changes. Awful that Judith should suffer and worst of all to suffer in Holland where there is never any room between you and your “betrayer”68—an incestuous country, narrow, over-crowded, small intellectual class.… Did I tell you the great? Arthur Lehning (Madeleine’s of yore) called on me recently. He was at the Institute in Princeton; wildly at dinner with Isaiah I mentioned him (where he lay in my memory I do not know); Isaiah gave him my number. He is here with his Kropotkin collection and work. It was a Sunday. Harriet, anarchist, Kropotkin lover, agreed to appear. Lehning would have kidnapped her on the spot, even if there were an amiable number of and “why should she not be.… with a mother who…” But H. found him a dour anarchist, with his long underwear peeping out of his short nylon socks, his prim little ways, his rather green face and oily eyes.69 I walked him to the bus to send him on his way to his next appointment. Much gay holding of my arm and drawn-out good-byes. Fantastic!
After your letters: Harriet won’t be going to art school, will only be in England about a week. We will work it all out properly or she won’t have to go at all … am sure the shorter time is more practical.
Went to the reading of Elizabeth and Jimmy Merrill. Tous New York present and also present later at the Hollanders. Barbara thought three rooms of aging fag poets a bit effortful, but I didn’t mind. Merwin, Strand, John Ashbery added to the Howard, Kalstone, etc. Elizabeth read well and looked special in a sort of flowing soft silk pants and top. She is very large and I hope that means happy. I had a talk with her and was pleased to exchange a few words as she stood in the center of Dr. Baumann, Louise Crane, her old friend some connection of John Dewey,70 and, alas, Loren MacIver, who must have some utterly unfair disease, as she has shrunk and is like some pitiful, broken, shrinking dwarf.… Then, the flagrant Frank Bidart, atremble,71 but ever obsequious. I avoided his glance forever, but he captured me and began his breathing inanities. I hope he understands your work better than he does mine, but I doubt it because he seems to have no knowledge of life, a touching condition if one has a sort of innocent sense of moral truth, but less moral than life I feel. He kept praising that old Vogue piece of mine with the photograph72 and I felt like saying—influence of Harriet’s decade and style—“Fuck you!” What could he know about all that? I truly dislike him deeply, do not trust him and think he is boring in that special way that only those without any depth or real character can be. Except for that, the evening was quite fun. I love Jimmy M. and I like his writing—of course it reads brilliantly aloud.
Farewell. I can’t tell you my plans just now because I don’t really know them. I will write a little about the Maine property sometime later.
With love,
Elizabeth
248. Elizabeth Hardwick to Robert Lowell
[15 West 67th Street, New York, N.Y.]
April 21, 1973
Dear Cal: I never in a million years thought you were trying to do the income tax yourself. No, no. Henshaw never answered my letter, not saying he wouldn’t do it, would do it later, wasn’t your accountant, didn’t care. Now, most businessmen answer mail and especially when it is a natural and urgent request.
All that is needed here is for your accountant to send
1. Essex with all withhold
ings, taxes pd., etc.
2. Royalties, but not FS&G, whose statement I have
3. Readings, writings, International Famous
4. Some idea of deductions, studio, etc.
More or less what we finally got last year. I have the State Street Trust, but you must have Grandchildrens.73 Didn’t you get some tax material from Eisman,74 if so send it to [your] accountant to send to
Mr. Nat Hoffman
41 East 42nd
New York, New York 10017
Please do this immediately. Call whoever is your accountant, then call back in a week to check if they have done it. That’s all, really. You have to file an income tax or go to jail and so it must be done immediately. If there is an audit you will have to come over, but let’s hope not.
Harriet fine. Mastering the bike—a tremendously masculine, speedy affair. She and Cathy go all over town and do twenty mile work-outs in the park. She is reading Sons and Lovers for school.75 And how blessed you and I are, for the moment at least, that hippiness is more or less dead here. Too many disasters in the long run and, I suppose, really too boring, too expensive, too painful. I worry terribly about all the [X.Y.s] and feel so dreadfully for them.
Watergate: the patter of little rat feet leaving the ship. The corruption in this country is incredible. Every day a governor, a district attorney, cops uncountable (mostly the most decorated) … But the Attorney-General.76
The Dolphin Letters, 1970-1979 Page 33
