James T. Fields — 12 Jul. 1862
To JAMES T. FIELDS
July 12, [1862], Baltimore
My dear Mr Fields
Could you send me your key to Charles Auchester[1] for myself & a friend who is reading it today? I am glad by the way we are to hear more of Miss Sheppard in the Atlantic, as Annie tells me—
I was so vexed this morning— I left the commission with a friend to send a ‘nice’ harp to Annie, when I left New York—and only heard from her to-day that she could only find a very indifferent one. I was really provoked.
I am quite interested in the ‘Tom’ question[2] the more I hear of him. This morning I secured a present of a large full length likeness of him from a musician here. If I cannot find a chart of his ‘bumps’ I will have Fowler see the photograph & see what he thinks.[3]
Don’t forget to tell me who writes the August Atlantic—
Best love to Annie
Notes
Charles Auchester: A Memorial (1853), a romance published under the British author Elizabeth Sara Sheppard’s (1830-1862) penname “E. Berger.”
RHD is writing the essay “Blind Tom” for the Atlantic about Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908), an African American autistic savant whose musical performances, induced by his master, awed international audiences.
A reference to phrenologically reading an individual’s character through the bumps on their heads. Lorenzo Niles Fowler (1811-1896) was famous for his “head readings.”
Key Words
“Blind Tom, ” Thomas Wiggins, Charles Auchester (Sheppard), Elizabeth Sara Sheppard, Lorenzo Niles Fowler, phrenology
Source
Richard Harding Davis Papers, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia
Contributor
S. M. Harris