How many of us have ever received a love letter? The chances are that most of us have never had a handwritten piece of affection posted through our doors, not because we’re unloved, but simply because the traditional love letter is no longer as popular as it used to be. So why is this? Have we become less romantic?
If you take a trip down to the East Riding Archives and Local Studies Service at the Treasure House, in Beverley, you’ll be able to search through a number of heartfelt amorous letters that, through the centuries, have been sent to people as a show of affection.
One such example is a letter written on 13 June 1779, by Bettina Nasichi, of Venice, Italy, to her sweetheart, Thomas Grimston, of Grimston Garth in East Yorkshire. In it, she writes: “Love me as much as the distance between us allows you to, and be assured that for my part I will keep, with the greatest pleasure, the memory I have of you.”
Another letter, written more recently on 12 January 1916, is full of the excitement of a man called Arthur Chant, who is about to marry his sweetheart, Jessie Brown, of Beverley: “Thank you for your words of cheer, but with your love and all the wonder of it in my heart it would be strange if I wasn’t rejoicing every inch of the way. Many, many thoughts, my own darling. Your ever loving sweetheart.”
This kind of message used to be nothing special and was actually a commonplace way to express feelings for someone. Here in the 21st century, however, you’d be lucky to get more than a simple “i luv u” in a text message.
Sam Bartle, collection’s officer, said: “The reason for this is perhaps because, in the modern world, we can chat to someone over the phone or the Internet whenever we choose and communicate with them instantly. Back in the 18th century, it could take weeks or even months for a message to reach your sweetheart, so it was important to get all your feelings down in a letter.”
For more information, call (01482) 392794 or visit the Treasure House, in Champney Road, Beverley.
