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| From the Rare Book Collection of the Boston Public Library. |
As we wrote earlier, the Quincy Kilby scrapbook devoted to Houdini is remarkable for its range, content and most of all its unedited sincerity. Letters to his friend Kilby are full of self-effacement, high literary quality and deep scholarship -- characteristics not usually associated with Houdini.
Especially remarkable are Harry's occasional outbursts of genuine religious feeling. He sent this letter to Kilby expressing condolences on the death of his daughter:
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Houdini is trying to comfort his friend through a mystical view of life, and the sincerity of his feeling cannot be doubted.
Next time, more unexpected facets of Harry's character, as seen through the eyes of Kilby.
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THE LOCK THAT DEFIED HOUDINI
(Images courtesy of Boston Public Library.)
I think Bess might have written this letter on their behalf. It sounds like her voice, not Houdini's. And note that the letter twice references her. A tough job…consoling someone on the loss of a daughter. Houdini might have turned to Bess for help with this one. Houdini would reference God from time to time, but never really chapter and verse like this. That was a Bessie speciality.
ReplyDeleteI agree with John. Also, would HH use the "bearing your cross" device? Maybe, but the whole "God works in mysterious ways" seems pretty conventional, rather than reflecting much in the way of piety.
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