Victorian Love Letters
From a rich young Gentleman, to a beautiful young Lady without a fortune.
Miss Sophia,
It is a general reflection against the manners of the present age, that marriage is only considered as one of those methods by which avarice may be satisfied, and property increased; that neither the characters nor accomplishments of the woman are much regarded, her merit being estimated by the thousands of her fortune. I acknowledge that the accusation is too true, and to that may be ascribed many unhappy matches we daily meet with; for how is it possible that those should ever have the same affection for each other, who were forced to comply with terms to which they had the utmost aversion; as if they had been allowed to consult their own inclinations, and gave their hands where they had engaged their hearts. For my own part, I have been always determined to consult my own inclinations, where there is the least appearance of happiness; and having an easy independency, am not anxious about increasing it; being well convinced, that in all states the middle one is the best. I mean neither poverty nor riches; which leads me to the discovery of a passion which I have long endeavored to conceal.
The opportunities which I have had of conversing with you at Mrs. A's have at last convinced me that merit and riches are far from being connected, and that a woman may have those qualifications necessary to adorn her sex, although adverse fortune has denied her money. I am sure that all those virtues necessary to make me happy in the marriage state, are centered in you; and whatever objection you may have to my person, yet I hope there can't be none to my character; and if you will consent to be mine, it shall be my constant study to make your life agreeable, and under the endearing character of husband, endeavor to supply your early loss of the best of parents. I shall expect your answer as soon as possible, for I wait for it with the utmost impatience.
I am your affectionate lover.
The young Lady's Answer.
Sir,
I received your letter yesterday, and gratitude for the generous proposal which you have made, obliges me to thank you heartily for the contents.
As I have no objection to either your person or character, you will give me leave to deal sincerely, and state those things which at present bear weight with me, and perhaps must ever remain unanswered, and hinder me from entering into that state against which I have not the least aversion.
You well know (at least I imagine so) that the proposal you have made to me is a secret both to your relations and friends; and would you desire me to run precipitately into the marriage state, where I have the greatest reason to fear that I shall be looked upon with contempt, by those whom nature had connected me with; I should consider myself obliged to promote the happiness of my husband; and how consistent would a step of that nature be with such a resolution? You know that I was left an orphan, and had it not been for the pious care of Mrs. A. must have been brought up in a state of servitude. You know that I have no fortune; and were I to accept your offer, it would lay me under such obligations as must destroy my liberty. Gratitude and love are two very different things. The one supposes a benefit received, whereas the other is a free act of the will. Suppose me raised to the joint possession of your fortune, could I call it mine unless I have brought you something as an equivalent? or, have I not great reason to fear that you yourself my consider me as under obligations inconsistent with the character of a wife? I acknowledge the great generosity of your offer, and would consider myself highly honored, could I prevail with myself to prefer to pace of mind, the enjoyment of an affluent fortune. But as I have been very sincere in my answer, so let me beg, that you will endeavor to eradicate a passion, which if nourished longer, may prove fatal to us both.
I am, sir,
With the greatest, &c
The Gentleman's Reply.
Dear Sophia,
Was it not cruel to start so many objections? or could you suppose me capable of so base an action, as to destroy your freedom and peace of mind? or do you think that I am capable of ever forgetting you, or being happy in the enjoyment of another? for affection's sake, do not mention gratitude any more. Your many virtues entitle you to much more than I am able to give; but all that I have shall be yours. With respect to my relations, I have none to consult with besides my mother and my uncle, and their consent, and even approbation, are already obtained. You have often heard my mother declare, that she preferred my happiness with a woman of virtue, to the possession of the greatest fortune; and though I forgot to mention it, yet I had communicated my sentiments to you before I had opened my mind to you. Let me beg that you will lay aside all those unnecessary scruples, which only serve to make one unhappy who is already struggling under all the anxieties of real and genuine love. It is in your power, my dear, to make me happy, and none else can. I cannot enjoy one moment's rest till I have your answer, and then the happy day shall be fixed. Let me beg that you will not start any more objections, unless you are my real enemy: but your tender nature cannot suffer you to be cruel. Be mine my dear, and I am yours forever. My servant shall wait for the answer to your sincere lover, whose whole happiness is centered in you.
I am, &c.
The Lady's Answer.
Sir,
I find that when one of your sex forms a resolution, you are determined to go through, whatever be the event. Your answer to my first objections, I must confess, is satisfactory. I wish that I could say so of others; but I find that if I must comply, I shall be obliged to trust the remainder to yourself. Perhaps this is always the case, and even the most cautious have been deceived. However, sir, I have communicated the contents of your letter to Mrs. A. as you know she has been to me as a parent. She has not any objection, and I am at last resolved to comply. I must give myself up to you as a poor friendless orphan, and shall endeavor to act consistent with the rules laid down and enforced by our holy religion: and if you should so far deviate from the paths of virtue, as to upbraid me with poverty, I have no friend to complain to, but God, who is the father of the fatherless. But I have a better opinion of you than to entertain any such fears. I have left the time to your own appointment, and let me beg that you will continue in the practice of that virtuous education which you have received. Virtue is its own reward, and I cannot be unhappy with the man who prefers the duties of religion to gaiety and dissipation.
I am yours sincerely.
Read more at Miss Mary's.
When one tosses the old postcards, letters, ephemera (and scrapbooks of the same), one throws out such documentation of relationships and persons of the past... This (and the absense of vibrators) are mentioned in Estate Sales and Women's Lives.
Miss Sophia,
It is a general reflection against the manners of the present age, that marriage is only considered as one of those methods by which avarice may be satisfied, and property increased; that neither the characters nor accomplishments of the woman are much regarded, her merit being estimated by the thousands of her fortune. I acknowledge that the accusation is too true, and to that may be ascribed many unhappy matches we daily meet with; for how is it possible that those should ever have the same affection for each other, who were forced to comply with terms to which they had the utmost aversion; as if they had been allowed to consult their own inclinations, and gave their hands where they had engaged their hearts. For my own part, I have been always determined to consult my own inclinations, where there is the least appearance of happiness; and having an easy independency, am not anxious about increasing it; being well convinced, that in all states the middle one is the best. I mean neither poverty nor riches; which leads me to the discovery of a passion which I have long endeavored to conceal.
The opportunities which I have had of conversing with you at Mrs. A's have at last convinced me that merit and riches are far from being connected, and that a woman may have those qualifications necessary to adorn her sex, although adverse fortune has denied her money. I am sure that all those virtues necessary to make me happy in the marriage state, are centered in you; and whatever objection you may have to my person, yet I hope there can't be none to my character; and if you will consent to be mine, it shall be my constant study to make your life agreeable, and under the endearing character of husband, endeavor to supply your early loss of the best of parents. I shall expect your answer as soon as possible, for I wait for it with the utmost impatience.
I am your affectionate lover.
The young Lady's Answer.
Sir,
I received your letter yesterday, and gratitude for the generous proposal which you have made, obliges me to thank you heartily for the contents.
As I have no objection to either your person or character, you will give me leave to deal sincerely, and state those things which at present bear weight with me, and perhaps must ever remain unanswered, and hinder me from entering into that state against which I have not the least aversion.
You well know (at least I imagine so) that the proposal you have made to me is a secret both to your relations and friends; and would you desire me to run precipitately into the marriage state, where I have the greatest reason to fear that I shall be looked upon with contempt, by those whom nature had connected me with; I should consider myself obliged to promote the happiness of my husband; and how consistent would a step of that nature be with such a resolution? You know that I was left an orphan, and had it not been for the pious care of Mrs. A. must have been brought up in a state of servitude. You know that I have no fortune; and were I to accept your offer, it would lay me under such obligations as must destroy my liberty. Gratitude and love are two very different things. The one supposes a benefit received, whereas the other is a free act of the will. Suppose me raised to the joint possession of your fortune, could I call it mine unless I have brought you something as an equivalent? or, have I not great reason to fear that you yourself my consider me as under obligations inconsistent with the character of a wife? I acknowledge the great generosity of your offer, and would consider myself highly honored, could I prevail with myself to prefer to pace of mind, the enjoyment of an affluent fortune. But as I have been very sincere in my answer, so let me beg, that you will endeavor to eradicate a passion, which if nourished longer, may prove fatal to us both.
I am, sir,
With the greatest, &c
The Gentleman's Reply.
Dear Sophia,
Was it not cruel to start so many objections? or could you suppose me capable of so base an action, as to destroy your freedom and peace of mind? or do you think that I am capable of ever forgetting you, or being happy in the enjoyment of another? for affection's sake, do not mention gratitude any more. Your many virtues entitle you to much more than I am able to give; but all that I have shall be yours. With respect to my relations, I have none to consult with besides my mother and my uncle, and their consent, and even approbation, are already obtained. You have often heard my mother declare, that she preferred my happiness with a woman of virtue, to the possession of the greatest fortune; and though I forgot to mention it, yet I had communicated my sentiments to you before I had opened my mind to you. Let me beg that you will lay aside all those unnecessary scruples, which only serve to make one unhappy who is already struggling under all the anxieties of real and genuine love. It is in your power, my dear, to make me happy, and none else can. I cannot enjoy one moment's rest till I have your answer, and then the happy day shall be fixed. Let me beg that you will not start any more objections, unless you are my real enemy: but your tender nature cannot suffer you to be cruel. Be mine my dear, and I am yours forever. My servant shall wait for the answer to your sincere lover, whose whole happiness is centered in you.
I am, &c.
The Lady's Answer.
Sir,
I find that when one of your sex forms a resolution, you are determined to go through, whatever be the event. Your answer to my first objections, I must confess, is satisfactory. I wish that I could say so of others; but I find that if I must comply, I shall be obliged to trust the remainder to yourself. Perhaps this is always the case, and even the most cautious have been deceived. However, sir, I have communicated the contents of your letter to Mrs. A. as you know she has been to me as a parent. She has not any objection, and I am at last resolved to comply. I must give myself up to you as a poor friendless orphan, and shall endeavor to act consistent with the rules laid down and enforced by our holy religion: and if you should so far deviate from the paths of virtue, as to upbraid me with poverty, I have no friend to complain to, but God, who is the father of the fatherless. But I have a better opinion of you than to entertain any such fears. I have left the time to your own appointment, and let me beg that you will continue in the practice of that virtuous education which you have received. Virtue is its own reward, and I cannot be unhappy with the man who prefers the duties of religion to gaiety and dissipation.
I am yours sincerely.
Read more at Miss Mary's.
When one tosses the old postcards, letters, ephemera (and scrapbooks of the same), one throws out such documentation of relationships and persons of the past... This (and the absense of vibrators) are mentioned in Estate Sales and Women's Lives.
Labels: Paper, Religion, Sex History
posted by Silent-Porn-Star at
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