A Judge in the Divorce Court recently complained of letters, written as a preliminary to a petition, being turned out of the same mould. And his lordship asked: "Is there any common form in any book for these letters?"
Setting aside the judicial aspect, it may be that the learned judge had in mind those machine-made" letters which were devoured single maidens who were kept in their "place" by convention before the advent of the "modern" girl, writes S. Albert Smith.
My faded copy of the "complete Letter-Writer" seems to be responsible for much.
It opens with Letter No, 1.—"From a Lady to a Gentleman (almost a Stranger) who has Proposed by Letter," and finishes with Letter No. 80.—'From a Lady 10 her Landlord respecting Repaize."
In mid-Victorian days the man who had the effrontery to propose by post was dealt with in these crushing terms:—
"Sir,—While sensible © of the great honour you wish to confer upon me, I cannot conceal my surprise that you should think me capable of acting with the precipitancy which has characterized your step. I do not remember one instance where look, act, or word of mine could be interpreted ' as meaning encouragement. I thought it my duty to place your letter in my father's hands, who read it also with astonishment.—T am, sir, yours truly, Matilda Arbuthnot."
Freezinc THE Svitor.
This "icicle" is eft to itself to inflict its deadly chill. The unfortunate male suitor is given no form ai reply to enable him to press his advances, But thie three types of letters for accepting a proposal make more cheerful reading. In each, however, there is an entire absence of '"'gush'' and "'passion,'' that contrasts strangely with present-day delights and anticipations, In these times, does the '"'modern" girl write in this strain over the greatest moment of her life?
"My dear sir—I confess that your letter, although a surprise, was an agreeable one, On an occasion like this, one's thoughts are not likely to be steadfast, but, on the contrary, provokingly erratic, I am sure, however, you will quite understand me when I say that when your attentions became marked L prayed to be made worthy to become yours. I now can answer with all happiness and sincerity, 'Yes.' Believe me, my dear sir yours sincerely, Eleanor Whinstone.""
This letter is a ''masterpiece" of subtlety.
Yet even in the 19th century there existed the more '"'for-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.