Was it fur this?

Apparently.

National Library of Ireland writes:

We recently acquired this letter from WB Yeats, sent from Nassau Hotel, Dublin, to Dorothy Reilly, wife of Sir Charles Herbert Reilly, regarding a fur rug

Letter from W.B. Yeats (NLI)

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25 thoughts on “Tread Softly

      1. Janet, dreams of an alternate universe

        ah I’m old enough to have been gifted a nib for my ” joined up writing ” when I was ten ! If I’m honest that handwriting makes mine look good, I have been forced to print shopping lists for himself because my written ones have rather hilarious results :)

      1. Janet, dreams of an alternate universe

        ha, nice one,
        I was on an all fur rug and no knickers tangent myself….damn springtime, plays havoc with the naughty thoughts

  1. The Millie Obnoxious™

    Nassau Hotel
    Nov 18

    Dear Mr Reilly
    Mrs Reynolds has written to me about the fur rug and I have asked her to send it to me here unless you have sent for it. If you have it I would be vey much obliged if you would send it to me. I hoped to be able to … (illegible) … soon as possible. I am very sorry to give you so much trouble. I hate …(illegible-ish)… a parcel and I know a rug must be harder than most parcels. I am sorry I have been so cavalier(?).
    (Illegible)
    WB Yeats

    A rough draft, maybe.

    1. Dinkum

      My god it all makes sense
      I often wonder why doctors handwriting is regarded as pretty illegible as well

    2. Slightly Bemused

      Sorry, am late to the table.

      I hope this helps, as I realise his scrawl is similar to his brother Jack’s, and I have seen some of that before regarding his paintings.

      I make the first ‘illegible’ as: I hoped to be able to come by Dean (Lean?) House but it is proved to be impossible
      The ‘illegible-ish’ as: I hate foistering off a parcel…
      Last line ‘careless’, not cavalier
      Can’t get the last before his name,

      Best I can do, and likely wrong anyway :-)

  2. Fergalito

    What need you be concerned with pence,
    Measure up my rug, its size deduce
    Then parcel. post at my expense,
    For without it I cannot seduce!
    Oh beloved Maud, you and I alone
    Love-making by a blazing fire,
    A rug of fur to call our own?
    Or a pelt to cloak o’er my desire?

    1. Paulus

      Oooh!

      And so easy to change the rug colour to match the decor:
      Just cast a cold dye on it.

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