Sample letter from the 19th century. Love letters from famous people. Honore de Balzac to Evelina Ganskaya
Language, I remembered one incident, absolutely unremarkable in all other respects.
Having been, in my distant youth, invited to a friend’s birthday celebration, for some reason I was forced to look for a gift along the way. Having dropped into the first bookstore I came across, I think it was “Bukinist” on Morskoy, I began to leaf through all the books in a row, hoping to find something suitable for a gift.
I didn’t have enough capital for expensive academic publications, and all the other books were randomly empty, meaningless, and in no way suitable not only as a gift, but for anything else in the world. Being late, I leafed through them faster and faster, one by one, and after going through three or four dozen of them, I was already inclined to think about buying a cookbook, when in a dusty, unfrequented corner I found a nondescript book.
These were letters from some Russian traveler of either the 18th or 19th centuries, whose name had disappeared from my memory over the years, addressed to his relatives. The letters began with approximately the following words: “My dear mother and father, as well as sisters Nadenka and Olenka,” and in the few pages that I looked through, absolutely no remarkable events occurred. The man was traveling somewhere, eating something, describing the customs of the inhabitants of some Astrakhan province, through which his quiet horse was taking him at that moment, shaking and dropping cakes into the dust, and it seemed like nothing more. So I mumbled apologetically, handing the birthday boy a book, but the language in it was somehow strange. Nice.
I meant Russian.
A couple of years later, during a chance meeting, that acquaintance himself reminded me of the book and said that he was using it as a model for writing letters. The language in it is very pleasant.
Perhaps in ancient letters one can find that unspoiled language, and use it not as a model for direct imitation (a lot of time has passed since those horses), but as a basis, a basis on which one can rely in the sense of language.
It may be objected to me that that language was the language of a small enlightened stratum, the cultural elite of that time, and the peasants spoke much simpler, and we, today, social status We are more likely to correspond to the peasants of that time. So the pollution of our language is excusable. But why should we look for excuses for ourselves if no one accuses us?
Moreover, the current “cultural elite” is producing this entire mutilated language for us.
I searched the Internet for old letters, but found sheer tears. And even then through one masons, foreigners or completely incomprehensible personalities. I'll post a couple anyway.
Therefore, I would like to ask those who have books with old letters, as well as the time and desire, on occasion, to rewrite one or two of your favorites and post them here.
It's very interesting.
M. V. Lomonosov - I. I. Shuvalov
Dear Sovereign Ivan Ivanovich!No one in my life has hurt me more than Your Excellency. Called
you take me to your place this day. I thought maybe there would be some joy in my
fair requests. You called me back and thus beckoned me. Suddenly I hear: make peace with
Sumarokov! that is, make laughter and shame. Get in touch with the kind of person everyone runs from and
not for your own sake. Contact that person who says nothing else, as soon as everyone
scolds, praises himself and places his poor rhyming above all human knowledge.
He only scolds Taubert and Miller because they don’t publish his works; and not for the sake of the general
benefits. I forget all his bitterness, and I don’t want to take revenge in any way, and God didn’t give me
evil heart. I just can’t be friends with him and treat him in any way, having experienced through
many cases, but knowing what it’s like to be in nettles...
Not wanting to offend you by refusing you in front of many gentlemen, I showed you obedience;
I just assure you that this is the last time. And if, despite my zeal, you become angry;
I rely on the help of the Almighty, Who was my protector in life and never left,
when I shed tears before Him in my justice...Mr. Sumarokov, having become attached to me for an hour, so much nonsense
I said something that would last for the rest of my life, and I’m glad that God took it away from me. According to various sciences
I have so much to do that I have given up all companies; my wife and daughter are used to staying at home,
and do not want to treat comedians. I don’t like to hear empty chatter and self-praise.
And to this day we have lived in unanimity. Now, according to your peacemaking, we must enter
into a new bad atmosphere. If you are pleased with the dissemination of science in Russia; if my to
your zeal has not disappeared from your memory; try for the speedy fulfillment of my fair wishes
petitions for the benefit of the Fatherland, but about reconciling me with Sumarokov as a petty matter,
forget it. Expecting a fair answer from you, I remain with ancient high reverenceYour Excellency's humble and humble servant
Mikhailo Lomonosov.
1761
January 19th day.
........................................ ...............
M. I. Kovalensky - G. Skovoroda
My dear Mainguard! *I received your letter from Taganrog. Both your memories and your letters are in me
produce heartfelt consolation. In the crowd of social gatherings the most pleasant feeling
there are truths and integrity. And in these names I always introduce myself to you! Where are you now
are you finding it?
I am healthy, by the grace of my God, with my dear family. I set off again into the local sea, yes
I can reach the pier more conveniently. Will everything become boring: the great, the glorious, and the wondrous? essence
nothing for the human spirit.Adio, mio caro Mangard! Your friend Mikhaila Kovalensky.
February 18, 1782* "Skovoroda's friendly nickname is Daniil Meingard, named after a Swiss
friend M.I. Kovalensky" - source note
........................................ ...............
N.M. Karamzin
Letter to P. A. Vyazemsky
St. Petersburg, January 11, 1826Dear Prince! I am writing to you, with Mr. Pogodin, and all the more sincerely I can say how much
we were glad that the stormy cloud did not touch you with either the edge or the slightest movement
air. Just for the sake of God and friendship, do not intercede in conversations for the unfortunate
criminals, although not equally guilty, but guilty according to universal and eternal justice.
The main ones, as you can hear, do not dare to justify themselves. Letters from Nikita Muravyov to
his wife and mother are touching: he blames his blind pride, dooming himself to execution
legitimate in the pangs of conscience. I don’t want to mention murderers, robbers, vile villains;
but aren’t all the others criminals, insane or reckless, like evil children? Is it possible
be here different opinions, about which you speak in your last letter from some
significance special? If my wife and I made a mistake in the meaning and application, then everything
what I said is destroyed by itself; There will only be a feeling of tender friendship for you,
belonging to our heart life!
Alexander is gone: the connection and charm have disappeared for me; I see without glasses, I judge without purchase and
I am humbled in spirit more than ever. I also repeat from the bottom of my heart: don’t make me happy
Izvetnikov not with the most innocent immodesty! You have a wife and children, neighbors, friends, intelligence,
talent, fortune, good name: something to cherish. I don't require an answer. Notify only about health
children are cute and their own. I kiss the hand of the most kind princess, hugging you all tenderly. YourN. Karamzin.
........................................ ...............
V. A. Zhukovsky - S. L. Pushkin
March 13, 1837 [Petersburg].Thank you for your letter, dear Sergei Lvovich. Don't blame me for not
conveyed your letters to the Emperor; it is much more decent if it is sent from you
in the usual way: I rejected this matter not because I didn’t want to
fulfill your wishes, I hope and you are sure of this. Taking advantage of the departure of Mr. Bartenev,
I am sending you a box with three masks, one for you, another for Nashchokin, the third for
Baratynsky, whom you hug for me. A package with letters from I. I. Dmitriev, please
hand it over to him. We are now engaged in publishing Sovremennik; but we are seven nannies,
and that’s why nothing moves forward.
Sorry, I hug you. May God give you the strength to endure your unbearable misfortune.Zhukovsky.
March 13, 1837
Enclosing packages with letters from Nashchokin and Baratynsky, I ask you to give them to them.
I will send the package with letters from I.I. Dmitriev later.
........................................ ..............
P.S. True, there are some conditions: these must be letters from pre-revolutionary times, addressed to friends, relatives, etc., that is, purely everyday letters and obviously not intended for prying eyes.
Letters specially written with an eye to publication (“in the epistolary genre”), or even with an eye to the possibility of publication (a common case among celebrities), since their language is too deliberately artistic, with beauty and pathos, are not suitable for these purposes.
Nomination "Stylization"
Choose one of the suggested quotes and try to write it in such a way as to reflect the calligraphic features of the period in which this idea was expressed.
You can refer to the samples below for reference.
Statements about language (for the category “Stylization”)
What you can do well, don’t forget, and what you can’t do, learn it - like my father, sitting at home, knew five languages, that’s why he received honor from other countries. Laziness is the mother of everything: what someone knows how to do, he will forget, and what he doesn’t know how to do, he will not learn.
"Teachings of Vladimir Monomakh"
Neither a ship can be made without nails, nor a righteous person without reading books, and just as captives have their parents on their minds, so a righteous person has reading books. Beauty is a weapon for a warrior, and sails for a ship, and reading books for a righteous man.
“The Word of a Certain Monk on Reading Books” (from the “Izbornik” of 1073)
After all, people benefit greatly from bookish teaching; We are guided and taught by books on the path of repentance, for from the words of books we gain wisdom and self-control. These are rivers that water the entire universe, these are sources of wisdom; There is immeasurable depth in books; they console us in our sorrows...
"The Tale of Bygone Years", 1038
You cannot recapture a bird that was quickly lost, nor can you return a word that has flown out of your mouth.
Collection "Bee"
Strive to enrich the mind and beautify the Russian word.
M. V. Lomonosov
In Russia, verbal sciences will never allow the Russian word to decline.
M. V. Lomonosov
The beauty, splendor, strength and richness of the Russian language is abundantly clear from books written in past centuries, when our ancestors did not only know any rules for writing, but they hardly even thought that they existed or could exist.
M. V. Lomonosov
The enrichment and purity of the language have never been as necessary for other peoples as they have become necessary for us, despite the real wealth and beauty and power of the Russian language.
E. R. Dashkova
The perception of other people's words, especially without necessity, is not enrichment, but damage to the language.
A. P. Sumarokov
May there be honor and glory to our language, which in its native richness, almost without any foreign admixture, flows like a proud, majestic river - it makes noise, thunders - and suddenly, if necessary, softens, gurgles like a gentle brook and sweetly pours into the soul, forming all measures that consist only in the fall and rise of the human voice.
N. M. Karamzin
You marvel at the preciousness of our language: every sound is a gift: everything is grainy, large, like the pearl itself, and, truly, another name is even more precious than the thing itself.
N.V. Gogol
There is no word that would be so sweeping, lively, would burst out from under the very heart, would seethe and vibrate so much as a well-spoken Russian word.
N.V. Gogol
Language is the history of the people. Language is the path of civilization and culture. That is why learning and preserving the Russian language is not an idle hobby with nothing to do, but an urgent necessity.
A. I. Kuprin
The Russian language in skillful hands and experienced lips is beautiful, melodious, expressive, flexible, obedient, dexterous and capacious.
A. I. Kuprin
The greatest wealth of a people is its language! For thousands of years, countless treasures of human thought and experience accumulate and live forever in the word.
M. A. Sholokhov
What is language? First of all, it is not only a way to express your thoughts, but also to create your thoughts. Language has the opposite effect. A person who turns his thoughts, his ideas, his feelings into language... he is also, as it were, permeated by this way of expression.
A. N. Tolstoy
Many Russian words themselves radiate poetry, just as gems radiate a mysterious shine...
K. G. Paustovsky
Language is like the sea. On one shore the waters of the sea are clear and salty, on the other they are desalinated by the river flowing into it and are full of its turbidity. And all this at the same time, only in different points space.
Lev Uspensky
Historical reference
The earliest form of the Cyrillic font became charter. The letters of this font had almost square proportions, with clear angles and lines. There were no spaces between the words, but the distance between the letters themselves was quite large.
Old Russian Cyrillic script (charter of the 11th century)
A sample of the Old Russian charter of the 11th century. Font "Ostromir Gospel" in artistic treatment V.V. Lazursky.
Fragment of the “Ostromir Gospel” (XI century)
Half-charter
From the middle of the 14th century it became widespread semi-charter. It was less beautiful than the charter, but it allowed you to write faster. The letters became slanted and more rounded. The text began to be divided into words.
Sample semi-charter of Russian early printed books. Font from “The Apostle” of 1564 by Ivan Fedorov in artistic adaptation by V. V. Lazursky. Moscow, 1946
Fragment of a page from “The Apostle” by Ivan Fedorov, 1564
In the 15th century, the half-rut was replaced by cursive.
To increase the speed of writing, letters began to be connected to each other. The letter becomes expansive, with many variants of spelling each letter appearing. And since each scribe developed his own handwriting, such a letter was sometimes very difficult to read!
Cursive writing samples.
18th century font
Love letters!
Sheets of paper, squiggles, black and white strings of pages collected in a book. But if you open the book and read, the paper heats up from the blaze of passion, the black lines glow with a scarlet glow, like flocks of fiery-winged firebirds soaring into the sky... It’s as if a nun from Portugal wrote her crazy love letters with liquid fire. In Eloise's letters, the blood of her heart glows. And the French king Henry III, while still heir to the throne, wrote love letters to the Duchess of Condé in real blood. He hit the needle-studded pad with his fingertips, and then moistened the pen with drops of blood. What the awakened imagination will not see in these messages! He will see Anne Boleyn's tears, which almost washed away the trembling letters scrawled on the prison walls. He will see the face of another prisoner, Mirabeau, frozen over a piece of paper, distorted with voluptuousness. Not only will he see, but he will also hear: in Napoleon’s short, capricious messages he will hear the drumbeat, the calling voice of military horns... Let’s not look for all this in Hungarian love letters; from the old days, we have mostly only preserved news to a husband or wife, the bride or groom.
Let's start with the 16th century. This is what a husband writes to his wife. On outside letters:
“For transmission to my beloved wife, Mrs. Klara Shoosh, in own hands my dear wife.
Errishten (Nitra county).” Inside:
“My beloved Clara! Write to me regarding your health and how you are alive. Further, my dear wife, I sent you all sorts of birds, I sent you a blackbird, you can keep him alive; I also sent two warriors. He also sent cucumbers, and sent daisies, and sent marigolds, in addition, he sent pink marshmallow, now pink marshmallow is enough for you. Write back to me: if I type more, should I send it further? In addition, my beloved wife, I can tell you that I arrived here in Ugrots on Sunday afternoon, but have not yet met my stepmother. There are also your ducks, chickens, and geese here, and I’ll send mother to you with them at once. I can’t tell you any news other than about Mrs. Zai. In the morning the Turks captured Gergei, so Mrs. Zai - I know for certain - is terribly worried about him. Dearest wife, take my shoes that I ordered from the shoemaker from this man. Don’t leave the hawks (birds of prey), but entrust them to Mihawk so that he gives them food, I would take care of them if the female is docile. Also, dear wife, I sent you some nutmeg pears, gather the ripe ones and dry them; Take care of yourself, don’t eat anything unless you absolutely hope, otherwise you’ll get sick.
May the almighty Lord be with you, dear wife. Don't leave the hawks behind. Written in Ugrotse, on the fifth day of the month of St. James. Anno 1575 (Anno - in a year, in summer (lat.)).
Your beloved husband Petrush Zai tr.” (M. r. (motu proprio) - hereinafter - in person (lat.))
Apparently, in the 16th century, the same unspoken agreement existed between spouses as now: the husband gives gifts, the wife accepts, and both rejoice at them. In the same way, all kinds of “commissions” for husbands were popular, as can be seen from Anna Bakich’s letter to her husband Mihai Revai:
“Having expressed my readiness to serve Your mercy in every possible way, my dear sir, it would be in my heart to hear whether the Almighty Lord safely delivered your mercy to Pozhonya, I, thank God, reached the house safe. I didn’t send your worship anything new, except that I sent two goose eggs to your worship. Also, my dear sir, I ask your honor to buy me thirty tiny buttons for my Spanish caftan, black, otherwise I would be ready, but there is a wire behind them. I ask your mercy, my dear husband, to send me pearls, and don’t forget green silk. May the Lord keep your grace in good health and send your grace good luck, my beloved husband. Written in Holic on Monday, anno 1556. Your Grace's daughter Anna Bakich
P.S. If it was written with errors, I ask your mercy’s forgiveness, for I wrote in the evening in a fair amount of haste.”
This letter contains everything that has long been called “eternally feminine.” Flirty affection (Anna calls herself her husband's daughter), instructions for buttons, pearls, a date with a flaw - since there is no month, hints at frugality and homeliness - goose eggs turned up very opportunely here. Kata Zrini wrote truly love letters to her absent husband Imre Forgač. It is clear from them that the pen of a loving woman could barely keep up with the feelings rushing out. Here is one of them:
“Until my death I give myself to the service of your mercy, as well as loving heart I give what is mine to my dear master; I ask our Almighty Father for your mercy an unspeakable multitude of blessings for our body and our soul, for they are one for us, my dear beloved sir; May the Almighty grant your mercy many good years, let us pray to the Lord in the name of the purity of his holy name and our salvation.
I pray, my heart, my beloved lord, that your grace hasten home; I expect your mercy for tomorrow, if you cannot arrive, I will be in bitter anguish. Therefore, I place myself at the complete disposal of your mercy until my death and my sincere love for your mercy, as well as my loving heart, I give to the beloved master of my soul. Grant, Lord, to your mercy, my beloved and dear master, to quickly reach home in good health and grant me, Lord, to see your mercy, beloved and dear master of my soul, in that good health and happiness in which we will live many prosperous years we are by the grace of the ruler of heaven and earth. Written in Bikha, on Thursday evening at about 5 o’clock. 1572. Submissive to your mercy, daughter and wife Kata Zrini.” This letter contains almost no information; it is entirely a jumble of tender and loving words. Of course, the month is not indicated here either...
XVII CENTURY
Letter from the bride to the groom. Calm, restrained phrases. The address is no less characteristic: the groom is still only “dear sir.” On the outside of the letter:
“Written to the gracious Mr. Miklos Bethlen, my dear sovereign.” Inside:
“Respecting you as my sovereign, I am ready to serve your mercy with humility, may the Lord bless your mercy with all spiritual and physical well-being.
I cannot miss the opportunity not to write to your mercy, I ask the Lord that my letter may find your mercy in the hour of good health, truly, I was very sad about the poor state of your mercy, we are now, thank God, in good spirits, her mercy dear lady Mother is also cheerful, and I, thank God, am healthy, God grant that Your Grace also remains in good health. I sent your lordship, dear sir, a good shirt, may God grant your lordship to wear it in good health.
I therefore commend myself to your mercy under the protection of God's providence. Written in Al Ded April 4, anno 1668. Your humble servant Ilona Kun tr.
P.S. The Empress Mother is ready to serve Your Grace with love.”
“To hand over to my beloved betrothed, noble Ilona Kun.”
“My beloved heart. ...While I, my dear, still cannot appear before your eyes, and the day of our joy is approaching, I want to admonish you through a letter, believe me, my soul, under such circumstances the machinations of the devil, and human gossip, and sometimes the overtaking right hand of the almighty Lord, but the cure for all this is only sincere and zealous prayer to the one God, and on our part - complete peace in each other and true love, and the sooner, my beloved, these feelings grow in you, the sooner we will come to happiness. Prepare in advance also for the fact that you will appear before many eyes, several hundred people will marvel at the two of us, behave in such a way that even the most envious tongues can say the least bit bad, although, of course, it is impossible for people not to gossip about us at all, don’t worry, my soul, don’t be afraid about this. God has not left you with many wonderful gifts, both physical and spiritual; it will be enough if you show yourself to be pious, obedient to your parents and chaste and true love for me. If your hair, as I have told the venerable mother more than once, if it is long, try to remove it, you need to persuade the old master to agree, into a hairstyle according to current custom, so that they don’t say that we (or you) are some kind of hillbilly. Therefore, my beloved turtledove, dear beauty, may the Lord accompany us to all that is good and crown our nobility with all grace. This is what your sincerely loving, faithful betrothed desires. My precious. 12 May 1668, Saint Miklos. Miklos Bethlen tr.
So, a seventeenth-century bride had to be persuaded to have a fashionable hairstyle for the wedding, moreover, she had to get her father-in-law’s consent to this.
Another nice letter from that period has survived to this day - a message in verse from the captain of the Hajduks in the army of Dergy Rakoczi II, Pal Frater, to his wife, Anna Barczai. It dates from approximately 1660.
Address: “For transmission to my dear dear wife Anna Barchai.”
I was glad to receive lemon and orange,
And what from you - I will never forget,
I will never tire of appreciating it above all else
And I will still serve you as long as I live.
I also sent a gift by express
And with this I will shorten my longing for you.
She, like a sentinel, screams day and night
Or trumpets like a deer, calling a heifer.
Please, my joy, don’t forget me,
Don't judge me because of my sorrows,
Clear the dregs of despondency from my soul,
Tuck me well into your hearts.
A lovely chain with a new edge
I sent you to calm your heart in exile,
I made every effort to be without iz"yanu,
God willing, you can show off in it for the party.
Hide these poems on your sweetheart's chest
And remember that I am faithful to you until the grave,
Come quickly, O swift-winged day,
When I read them with my beloved.
On the rocks wild birds flock together;
In the morning, only a ray of sun will sway,
Scaring the beast that approaches the tent,
I am writing, completely frozen, and my heart is aching.
God be with you, if the poems come to your heart, hide them in a chest,
if not... throw it in a latrine.
(I cannot keep silent about the fact that this time too the wife received a gold chain as a gift, and the husband received an orange and a lemon.)
XVIII CENTURY
A strange feeling takes possession of a person when he reads the love letters of the nephew of Kuruc Antal Esterhazy, the French general and governor of Rocroi Balint Esterhazy, which he wrote to his wife (Lettres du Cte Valentin Esterhazy a sa femme. Paris, 1907). He wrote in French, and, perhaps, he knew only one Hungarian word, which he constantly calls his wife - “Chere Szivem” (Chere-dear ((pp.), szivem-my heart (Hung.)). The general avoided sentiments and outpourings. The depth of feeling of a loving husband is rather evidenced by the incredible number of letters: wherever the whirlwind of history took him, in the first free minute he sat down at his desk to report in detail to his wife about all the events. From the multi-volume correspondence, the French piece by piece select valuable historical information about that era; we, the Hungarians, are more interested in those few lines in which for twenty years Balint Esterházy repeated the same thought in different ways:
I love you! Here are a few examples from many thousands of letters:
1784. Versailles. “God bless you, Szivem, it hurts so much that I don’t see you, my grief is softened only by the pleasure of writing to you...”
1784. Compiegne. “I have no other desire, chere Szivem, than to be with you, I would not hesitate a minute if I could rush to you... Once again I hug you with all my heart, I finish writing with pain, because at least in this way In this way I am with the one who is dearest to me, whom I love to madness...”
1785. Guiscard. “I visited Duke D" Aumont. He lives with one woman. All morning I thought about how different life is for a man who has a loving wife... Always being with you, Szivem, is the greatest happiness a person can wish for ... The first happy day in my life was that memorable Tuesday, the second was our wedding, the third will be the birthday of our long-awaited child... Never before has a week lasted so endlessly, and it must always be so while we are away from creatures dear to our hearts; therefore, may the Lord bless the short days...”
1786. Lyon. “My dear, I think about you all the time and reproach myself for being involved in a pleasure that you cannot share with me... Take care of yourself for the sake of the one who loves you more than anyone in the world and lives solely to make you happy..."
1791. Vienna. “Kiss our children for me and remember every minute that I am now thinking about those I love...”
1791. Saint Petersburg. “God bless you, love me, think about me, kiss the children; I do not harbor sinful envy of your happiness for the fact that you can hug them, I only would like to share it and embrace their mother in my embrace...”
To complete the picture, I cannot keep silent about the fact that at the end of a fair number of letters there is the phrase: “...mille choses tendres a maman” (“thousands of tender wishes to mamma”). That is, the warrior in love did not forget to convey tender greetings to his mother-in-law for many years.
XIX CENTURY
Appears the new kind literature - writers. The rising youth of the third and fourth estates has a heart that beats in the same way as the gentlemen and ladies of bygone times, only the pen is not obedient to them. And then they turn to sample books for help, where they find ready-made forms, which can only be filled with burning feelings. The pocket book “The Brilliant Interlocutor” (“Diszes Tarsalkodo”), published in 1871 in Pest in its fourth edition, is precisely of this kind. In the chapter on love correspondence, the anonymous author first of all advises paying special attention to the external and internal decency of the letters. As for internal decency, one can only approve of it, but what the author means by external decency is not entirely clear. Maybe he is hinting at pink, scented paper? Or, on the contrary, does he warn against it, fearing that the young man in love will manage to smear the entire envelope? Warnings and wishes are accompanied by practical instructions, such as the fact that the author of a love letter “must be true to his nature and write as his heart tells him.” Here, as an example to follow, is given an example of embodied sincerity and heartfelt inspiration:
“Dear young lady N.1 My love for you is unquenchable. From the moment I got to know you closely, I lost peace. Your charming image, which hovers above me with a gentle smile, does not leave me. Since the time I met you, I walk more cheerfully through the whirlpools of life, and in my happy loneliness tears come to my eyes, which I intend to sacrifice to you. Oh, make your faithful admirer N.N happy with reciprocal love.”
Well, if such words do not touch the young lady’s heart, then nothing will touch it.
Naturally, love is valid only when it leads through the whirlpools of life to noble goals. Therefore, after the young ones found mutual language, it's time to start talking about marriage. This should be done as follows.
“Dear Minka!
This letter will fly to you on the pink wings of love to convey the feelings of my heart. Oh, if I could convince you that I love forever. Fulfill my wish, and if until now in our relationship we have kept certain boundaries, we will finally show openly that we truly love each other. Since your parents have known me for a long time, I think they will have no objections to our reunion, although they are richer than mine (!). And if you think that the favorable moment has already arrived, today, without waiting for tomorrow, I will gladly ask for your hand. Your admirer N. is waiting for an answer from you.”
It did not even occur to the brilliant interlocutor that he could take a poor girl as his wife, so he did not bother to write a letter for this case. Or maybe he thought that there was no need for the poor girl to write letters: just tell her, she would immediately run. However, he provided for those cases when the young have not yet brought complete clarity to the matter and love each other, so to speak, at a distance. In this situation, with a marriage proposal, you need to contact your father and through him convey a message to the young lady containing a declaration of love. The young lady does not answer the letter, because her respect for her parents dictates this. The father writes the answer:
“Dear friend! We are flattered by the proposal of marriage from a young man of such noble aspirations, for whom we have the happiness of knowing you. My daughter, with trust stemming from respect for your personal qualities, is ready to share life’s joys and worries with you. We are waiting for you in person to express your consent. We will be happy to receive you at any time. N. N.”
It is difficult to carry out matchmaking in a more decorous manner. Troubles can arise only if the young lady’s father has a different edition of the letter book and the answer does not coincide with the question. Well, it doesn’t matter - form has no power over the essence: if you once trusted the pink wings of love, you will have to share the joys of life with your better half.
XX CENTURY
Sunset of love letters. The telephone turns writing into an unnecessary luxury. The generations that come after us will not, like us, be drowned in the abundance of love messages of past centuries. But in return, we are provided with a wealth of material by newspaper sections called “Miscellaneous”. Although the advertisements published in them cannot be called love letters in the full sense of the word, they are messages calling for love. Anyone who has time to carefully study these headings, cut out characteristic advertisements, sort them and collect them, will be able to see a charming picture of the intimate life of a modern big city. So, more than three and a half centuries separate us from the love letters of Peter Zaya. The language of love letters has changed and improved.
The apotheosis of development is represented by the advertisement below, which I will not comment on, I will only say that the newspaper forwarded all the myriad of responses received to the publishing house. "Looking for a woman. They are not interested in hysterics, grandmothers, professionals, dyed-up girls, dandies, football fans, avid bridge players, admirers of film actors. I will only marry a rich woman (50,000). I won’t be particularly “vigilant.” So, you need: pretty, with a good figure, young (20-24). WITHOUT PREJUDICE, with refined manners, personable (self-critical). Reply NON-STANDARD to the branch of the publishing house. Yes, I am 30 years old, height 165 cm, I have higher education, brown hair. There are 5 filled teeth and a boat. I don't like writing letters, noodles, or shaving. I love sincerity, Emental cheese and nature. 9527".
Beloved wife - dear sir - dear wife - chere Szivem: time passed, centuries stepped on each other’s heels, the last one’s legs were crushed so much that he became clubfoot.
I was going through old things and came across a small recording from 5 years ago.
I sat and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I have no idea what prompted me to write this handwriting. Probably the fact that then I was quite deeply immersed in the “Silver Age”.
In short, a letter of revelation from some young man of the late 19th century, suffering from the blues, written by himself.
Just don't spit, please. I know it turned out pretty wild...
The type of young man who wrote the letter. I imagine him something like this.
And here is the letter itself:
“My respects, sir. How often do you have a conversation with time?
You don't have to answer this question for me.
The problem is that my head is ready to explode for some unknown reason, and I am unable to find a way to express what is tormenting me.
One could try to explain this by a semblance of love and hatred at the same time. But know that these feelings are quite strong.
My own, rather melancholy, cannot be compared with them.
Maybe I'm a pedant? Maybe he's just selfish?..
But I am me, and I can’t do anything about it.
Many people are now scribbling on sheets of yellow paper just like me, and translating it in vain.
In the spring, winter ice has a habit of melting and turning into water.
Not every stream that flows into a river is destined to chase ships or tease children on a rocky beach.
My meager mind is not able to express all the passions of my heart with the sophistication of words. I should take a dictionary. But I’m afraid that he is not able to convey the music of words, with the magnificent power with which they begin to sound when collected into a story, story or poem.
Oh, song of words! What sonority can they carry?
Oh, singing feather! It's a symphony, like Ludwig van Beethoven's “Koralle”.
I'm lonely. And all the bitterness lies in the fact that I am too heavy and boring for the fluttering butterflies. And for learned men he is too ignorant.
Ah, my lovely sister! My darling. There is no creature more sweet and merciful. There is so much compassion in her heart, so much love for humanity, selflessness and kindness.
Not everyone can stand my difficult temperament.
But she, oh my angel, not only does not reproach me for this, but I know for sure that she loves me with all her heart.
I don’t know why the Lord gave me such a callous heart.
Maybe it's all due to my considerable sensitivity.
Oh, how many times did I rave as a child? How many times has my mind become red-hot and the heat rushed me to bed. How many times have I tried to get up, screamed and cried, consumed by the heat...
But time passed, and from a cute imp I turned into a disgusting devil, withdrawn into himself...
It's funny, but people find my appearance quite cute.
The ladies don't take their eyes off me. Everyone is chirping about how amazing my eyes are.
I, on the contrary, find them steely and cold...
Well, dear friend, I probably tired you with my story.
But who else should I talk about if not myself.
To spend so much time alone with yourself and not talk about yourself, in my opinion, is the height of absurdity..."
Let me take my leave with that)
Mood: an awkward silence
With a kind permission of the author of the original posts, I begin a series of translations about Victorian courtship, love letters and other relationships. The original post is.
The mystery of love, courtship and marriage solved - how to write a Victorian love letter
So, you are sitting with a pen in your hands and a blank valentine in front of you. But you just can't find those special words that express your true feelings for your loved one. Don't be afraid, book « The mystery of love, courtship and marriage solved » [ The Mystery of Love , Courtship and Marriage Explained ], 1890, will be your savior. It's filled with great advice and sample letters to suit you and your unique circumstances..
So, let's begin .Love letters: It is almost impossible to set any rules for writing love letters. Some of the gentlemen show themselves in a ridiculous light with their messages. They take the issue too seriously. If you are engaged and intend to further marry, it is best not to be too sweet-tongued towards the lady of your heart, otherwise she may become disgusted. Until the engagement, she might be able to handle a little more sweetness and bombast, but again, not to overdo it. Don't use too many adjectives in your letters, trying to avoid repetitive phrases of praise. One portion of flattery at a time is enough. If the lady of your heart is a reasonable person, her face will distort with a grimace even from this. Meanwhile, the peculiarity of their sex is such that they love when they are loved, but how can they know that they are loved if they are not told about it? To write a letter of feeling you will need more talent than is required to solve some extremely important philosophical problem. Lovers should not expect too much from letters to each other. Since the purpose of this treatise is to help young men court women, we will give several examples of letters that can be written to bring clarity to the relationship between you and your possible lady of the heart. Also Sample answers will be given. Which young ladies would be willing to give to such letters.
The following letter may have been written by a young man for a young lady whose company he is obviously partial to, but he himself does not dare tell her that “he adores her.” If the lady accepts him after such a message, then she will consider herself engaged and will continue to count on marriage.
Tuesday afternoon.
Dear Miss Thorne:
I hope you will forgive me my presumption in writing to you without your permission, and I assure you that I took out my pen only out of the need to reveal to you my feelings and my aspirations. Believing that the attention I have shown to some extent has already prepared you for a possible similar manifestation of feelings in the future, I now throw myself at your feet, begging for love! How much I I know yours own heart, it firmly tied To to you. Are you willing to answer me and will you do so? I will be with you this evening and hope to be greeted with an encouraging smile. Goodbye and see you soon ,
X. Seymour.
If a girl likes her boyfriend, which means she is ready to accept his feelings, there is no need to respond to the letter. However, if she thinks he's in too much of a hurry, or she doesn't care about him, or she wants to flirt with him a little, she might respond like this:
Five o'clock in the afternoon.
Dear Mr. Seymour:
Your message surprised me, and I apologize for such a response. I don't mind having you as a friend at any appropriate time, but at the moment let's not talk about getting to know each other more closely.
Sincerely yours,
E. Thorne
A young man, who had quarreled with his beloved the night before, left in upset feelings, and the next morning writes her a message. [ N. B . Some lovers may deliberately cause a small quarrel for this purpose.] You should not miss the opportunity to write this kind of letter, since almost any girl will enjoy such a manifestation of feelings on the part of her gentleman. If the quarrel was staged on purpose, then this must be done carefully so that she does not suspect you:
Allentown, Friday
Expensive Sarah:
Forgive me for this letter. I was very annoyed when I left you last night, and now I feel guilty and ask for forgiveness. I hardly have the courage to come to you today, but meanwhile, I will be very unhappy if I don’t. Oh Sarah, my love for you cannot be expressed in words. I have heard and read about female affection, and if I could only see it from you, life on earth would become a paradise for me. What should I do to win your heart? I will never contradict you on anything again. My only goal will be to please you and make you happy. And maybe you could show someone a little sympathy in return? I feel like I should be rewarded with a loving smile the next time we meet. Farewell And before meetings,
George
Tuesday morning.
My dear Miss Clayton:
Feeling an interest in you that cannot be expressed in words, I resort to my pen and hope that I do not offend you with this action. None of the most sacred feelings of the human heart would induce me, under any circumstances, to impose myself on the attention of a young lady: and if I feel an interest in you in my heart, I cannot in any way influence it. I would like you to understand my feelings, and I am sure you would pity me if I had not become your admirer. The purpose of this message is to request permission to provide you with friendly visits with a possible closer acquaintance in the future, if my company turns out to be pleasant to you. I'm not even asking for a written response, but if you wouldn't mind writing to me, I'd certainly be honored. I will allow myself to pay you a visit on Thursday evening, for which I have great hopes. Sincerely yours and with great respect,
John Davis
If the lady likes this gentleman or thinks that he can be counted on as a friend, and his acquaintance would be acceptable, she can briefly answer the message in the following manner:
Thursday, morning
Mister Davis:
Dear Sir: I have received your letter and thank you for your frankness and trust. I will be glad to see you this evening, and whenever on another day you would be so kind as to pay me a visit, I will try to make you feel welcome. Sincerely yours,
Letitia TO. Clayton.
The young gentleman, who, for some serious reason, received a cold reception from his lady love, wants to show his repentance and, at the same time, flatter her a little. He might, for example, humbly write as follows:
My dear Josephine:
I still dare to turn to you, although my heart tells me that I no longer have your respect for me or your trust. What I must do, to again conquer yours location? Do I have to prove to you that the love I have is not a lie? Will this disgusting hex become more important than the heart on which you reign supreme? Have pity on me, Josephine, but do not neglect me. Honor mine fate Although would attention. Let me to me to know yours will. To This Not was, I I'll obey to you. Apply on me yours eternal silence! I I'll accept his. Drive away me! I I swear, What I'll leave forever. In fact, I am ready to happily do anything you say, except forget you, because that is impossible. Josephine , I All more Hope on forgiveness. If mercy is not alien to you, I pray you to cast aside this arrogant coldness, which almost plunged me into despair. One kind and encouraging word would make me the happiest man in the world. You you can say his? Will you let me atone for my guilt? If not, I must hear my verdict from your lips.