*THIS LETTER INCLUDES THE “N-WORD.”
If you are white, you should not say this word out loud.
My Lord, what a mourning,
My Lord, what a mourning,
My Lord, what a mourning,
When the stars begin to fall. (Sundquist, 498)
Transcript:
Berlin, Germany,
Oranienburgerstr 66 III l.
23 February, 1894.
My Dear Du Bois!
This is my twenty-sixth birthday – a fresh cold sunshiny day spent most in my regular routine of work and musing. I did not rise till after nine – found three letters of congratulation by my plate, from Marina, Amalia, and the Schaefe girls; then the Frau Räthin came and kindly congratulated me – and so did Tante Erna. Then I strolled down to the University by way of Friedrichstrasse half intending to take a long stroll but finally ending up in the Seminar library, where tilted back in my chair I spent the time until two over Schonolla on Schulye-Delikch and Lasku, and on this Whunny-page. I came to dinner half-wondering if they all know this was My day – as I reached the room there lay a cunning little wine glass, a puppet-toy and a letter from America. As I came to the table Fraulein Braun rose and greeted me, and all spoke their good wishes – it was very pleasant. The meal ended with a big “Torte” in my honor. After dinner I lounged a bit straightened up my room, etc., then drank coffee and went to the reading rooms and read the Times. [Finally via Friedrichstrasse] I came home and here I am. Tonight I meet Amalia So was this day – now for the year. I confess I am not altogether satisfied with it tho’ it has been in many ways wonderful. I have finally proved to my entire satisfaction that my race [forms] but slight impediment between me and kindred souls – that in spite of [illegible] curiosity, I am here free from most of those iron bands that bound me at home. Therefore I have gained for my life work new hope and zeal – the Negro people shall yet stand among the honored of the world.
In the shiny [vocation] I to a wonderful journey – the old House towns, Hanover and the Hague with the Brocken and Boden that and finally lived long pleasant days at Cassel where a dear girl met and loved me. When I came back there were long days of anxious waiting for my second appointment as scholar—it came finally and I was happy. I took a 4th floor room on the Ufer and had a pleasant airy summer, with work, flirtation, +c. On August first I started on my Great journey and saw old Nuremberg again, then Switzerland, and with dear Dollar went to the Columbus’ home, and by the leaning tower + the Eternal City, and there to the “dolce Napoli,” to the Beautiful City, to the City of the Sea and to Ween and Budapest. There my dear boy left and I wandered away out to Krakau and then by Breslan to Berlin. I could not bear the thought of living alone again and so I entered the Braun pensione where I have had most pleasant companionship and family life – and the opportunity to teach an American family what a “Nigger” is. I’ve had love affairs of course (a great adventure!) a little society, and a deal of work. However the [thesis] does not suit me and the three semesters were not enough, and here I am in doubt as to my course, a bit disappointed but – I will have a Philosophiae Doctor from Berlin!
I feel at times as tho’ after all I had done little, as tho’ my apprenticeship were all to long and the works of the master hand all too slow – but dogged shinning and eternal Faith in Him shall get me on man worthy of my race and my fathers.
Du Bois
Friday
7:30 p. m. In my room.
26
Year Book.
1894
Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt), 1868-1963. Letter from W. E. B. Du Bois to himself, February 23, 1894. W. E. B. Du Bois Papers (MS 312). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries. https://credo.library.umass.edu/view/full/mums312-b230-i046.