Letter from Charles W. Bozenta to May Wright Sewall.

April 13, 1893

My Dear Mrs. Sewall As [Mme Modjeska] is the whole day either at the theatre or in the library, I take the liberty to answer in her stead your [f---] of yesterday. As to point first, my wife was delighted to hear that you invited [Mxx Jana???chek, M[iss] Clara Morris & Miss Georgia Cayvan, and (crossed out) who are indeed represenative women of the American stage and she feels enboldened by that, to ask you if the Committee would not think it right & proper to invite the great Italian actress, Eleonora [Duke], now in America, to take part in the [wagers]. She is not only an actress of thhe first rank, but she is a remarkably intellectual woman with a great knowledge of art. We know of nothi g in her life that may seem

unpleasant to the ladies of the Committee and even if Du[se] would not accept, such an invitation would be a compliment of American women highly appreciated by the great Italian actress.

2nd M[…] [Modjerlda] will remain in Chicago from the 10th to the 20th. Saturday and she is perfectly ready to read her paper on the 17th or 19th, according to your version.

She has been also invited to be a member of the Conference Committee on Letters and Art by Mr Th. Foster Avery, secretary of the committee, and has accepted.

She would like however to have some explicit instructions, what will be your [private a…ss in Chicago-- where is the Congress to take place, what are the hours of meeting etc. Please have a few lines written to her on thensubject, addressed to Chicago, c/of Ralph Modjeski: 1117 N. Clark Street.

3rd As to myself, I beg to assure you

That I answered your letter of 15th Febr. at once, And return to you the letters of the Polish ladies. I remember it perfectly And have the note on your letter that It was replied to and the enclosures Returned. Possibly my reply and the Enclosures may have got lost amidst the Great number of [your] correspondance you have. I remember having given You the name of Miss Ada Wolska in Paris, And I later wrote to her about it, and she answered me that she had communicated on the subject with Mrs R.Palmer.

I feel exceedingly sorry about the mishap, But I can assure you that I am not guilty of it.

With most respectful regard, sincerely yours

CW Bogenta