Miss Emma Stebbins, Dog Lover and Talented Artist
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Mr Henry Stebbins Waterbury.
Rules and Regulations
for the management of Gypsy,
during my absence
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1st, never on any account must she have more than 2 tablespoon full of meat a day - it must be very fine, and mixed with a little bread, or potato and gravy. She may have a bone, with out any meat on it occasionally. —
At Breakfast she may have a little bit of crackers or toast, or whatever maybe on the table except meat — The same at Tea — and I shall expect Henry to impress these rules upon Ann, every day — especially must he insist that she does not leave any scraps or trash of any sort about where the Dog might get it, as it is sure to make her sick. —
There must be a vessel of water kept fresh in two or three places about the house, where she can get it whenever she wants it, as and especially under the shelf in the second entry.
She must have sulfur once a week, say on Sunday as then Henry will be most at leisure, and it any other time if she seems dull and refuses her food, give her also a warm bath, and after wiping her as dry as possible wrap her up in a blanket until she is quite dry.
She must never be taken a longer walk than to the Parade Ground, or up to 14th St. and back again, and I should prefer Henry would lead her by the chain, unless it is only up and down near the house— Ann must never on any account take her out of the house—
When Henry gives goes away in the morning, he must leave her safely in Ann’s hands, and if Ann is obliged to leave the house for any purpose she must fasten Gypsy by her chain until she comes back again —
Henry must let her sleep at the foot of his bed, and he must be very gentle and kind to her and never make her fond of him – and by strictly complying with my wishes here expressed he will oblige me in the same manner I shall never forget.
I add Codicil to say, if Miss Fleming sends for the dog – Henry will let her go, and do everything he can to get her safely over there.
The above Codicil is revoked since Annie remains at home – but all the rest wholes good. Gypsy must never be taken out in the heat of the day — After tea will be the best time.
If Henry has a little meat cooked for his breakfast in the morning – he can take off as much as will do Gypsie’s dinner and let Anne put it away until the middle of the day – I wish most particularly to impress upon all that I would much rather she have too little then too much to eat — Don’t kill her with kindness, and that is my last instruction. —
ES
August 21, 1849
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Emma Stebbins (1 September 1815 - 25 October 1882) was an American sculptor and the first woman to receive a public art commission from New York City. She was best known for her work Angel of the Waters (1873), also known as Bethesda Fountain, located on the Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, New York.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Stebbins
Miss Stebbins and her New York City and Ridgefield, Connecticut family are described in great detail in an unpublished private diary of Henry Stebbins Waterbury, Emma Stebbin's cousin.
For more info about the Stebbins family papers contact C. W. VanDeusen at haclibrary@gmail.com.
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