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(08-04-2016 02:16 PM)Susan Higginbotham Wrote:  I think the "bisexuality" reference is based on an anachronistic reading of the letter (I'm assuming that Kaufman is referring to the line where Clara quotes Louis as saying, "I love him, indeed I do, and his ____ too"). Straight Victorian men were allowed much more warmth in expressing their regard for their male friends than their modern counterparts are. Charles Strozier in his book about Lincoln and Joshua Speed, "Your Friend Forever," has an excellent discussion about this. "I love him" is pretty mild compared to some of the writings between male friends that he quotes.

To me the only really compromising part of the letter is that it links Louis with Clara, whom an investigator described as a "thorough rebel" who had a fondness for "rebel poetry."

I agree completely on the "bisexuality" assessment. Thanks for reminding me.