Details
MACARTHUR, Douglas (1880-1964), Lieutenant General. Autograph letter signed ("Douglas") as Superintendant, U.S. Military Academy, to Mrs. Louise Cromwell Brooks, West Point, [23 October 1921]. 3 pages, 4to, U.S. Military Academy stationery, slightly foxed, original postmarked envelope in MacArthur's hand, with pencil note presumably in the hand of Louise Brooks "About the fourth letter - We only had known each other one week & became engaged upon our second meeting - It was love at first sight," very slight foxing, otherwise fine.
"THE LESSON...IS SERENITY IN DEFEAT AND MODESTY IN VICTORY"
An affectionate and witty letter to his fiance. MacArthur writes: "I lose to Yale - and rejoice. I lose to Notre Dame - and sorrow. And the game has nothing to do with it. The difference is in the presence of one small girl, but - Ye Gods - what a difference. With you disaster has no power to harm. Without you success has no power to please. The Notre Dame team was magnificent - completely outclassed us in everything but courage." But, he reports, the West Point cadets have been dejected by these gridiron defeats: "My children are very downcast tonight but I try to tell them that the lesson for a sportsman who has done his best, is serenity in defeat and modesty in victory. The little quarterback rather phazed [sic] me, however, when he sobbed out that he would like to have a little more practice in being modest." He concludes: "I hold you in my warmest embrace and Kiss you dear lips a thousand times - good night."
"THE LESSON...IS SERENITY IN DEFEAT AND MODESTY IN VICTORY"
An affectionate and witty letter to his fiance. MacArthur writes: "I lose to Yale - and rejoice. I lose to Notre Dame - and sorrow. And the game has nothing to do with it. The difference is in the presence of one small girl, but - Ye Gods - what a difference. With you disaster has no power to harm. Without you success has no power to please. The Notre Dame team was magnificent - completely outclassed us in everything but courage." But, he reports, the West Point cadets have been dejected by these gridiron defeats: "My children are very downcast tonight but I try to tell them that the lesson for a sportsman who has done his best, is serenity in defeat and modesty in victory. The little quarterback rather phazed [sic] me, however, when he sobbed out that he would like to have a little more practice in being modest." He concludes: "I hold you in my warmest embrace and Kiss you dear lips a thousand times - good night."