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Note
This is a 1919 book that I collected because it was charming and quaint. It becomes unintentionally comical to read because of how distant this “art” feels from modern love. But there are surely lessons.
I read this acronym that was used SWALK: Sealed with a loving kiss - a term of endearment written across the seal of a love letter. Something special with a letter, that is now lost is that moment… breaking a seal to reveal the words inside.
What magic in the words “a love letter” and is there any one who does not thrill at the enchanting prospect of receiving one? Yet who has not sighed at the difficulty of expressing one’s finest thought to a loved one, so while this book might seem at first sight nonsensical, it will provide a veritable “first aid” to the wounded by Cupid’s dart.
The text asks what the first love letter was like, and then goes onto “silent” messages of love.
There were undoubtedly in existence silent messengers of love, such as gifts of certain flowers and oddly places postage stamps, which today covey thrilling things to the wise. Our first remember love letter may be the well-known sugar lozenge with the thrilling words “I love you!” or our first valentine, which even without the usual tender message is a pictoral love letter.
There are traits to letter writing that can be adopted: such as the correct style and size of letter paper; placing the monogram correctly; the opening and farewell words; selection of topics; the many small errors by which one is judged in the early days of acquaintance…
Silent messengers of love
There are codes and silent symbols to stamp placement.
Post stamp messages:
- Upside down, on the left corner - I love you
- Same corner, crosswise - My heart is another’s
- Upside down, on the right corner - Write no more
- In the left hand corner - I hate you
Based on the French phrase referring to ivy “where I attach myself I die”, as there is a habit of ivy when torn from friendly walls which it clings, too often will die in spite of loving care. Thus a single leaf of ivy enclosed in a letter carries the message of true loving and affection.
A rosebud divested of thorns but retaining leaves coveys the sentiment “I fear no longer; I hope.” Stripped of leaves and thorns it signifies “there is nothing to fear I hope.”
Incorrect spelling is regrettable but not as equally serious in its effect as illegible writing, although the former will be more criticized. Do not write across what is already written, for it is wiser to use another sheet of paper and save the friend’s eyesight and temper. It is an open question regarding the continuance of the indentation of each paragraph or bringing the commencing words to the edge of the margin.
“Dear friend” is rarely used… “Confidences and first names go together”
Quotations offer an opportunity to express sentiments in a manner impossible for a skilled writer and also permit the expression of affection as through a third party which a tentative lover would hesitate to say so early in the affair.
But too many quotes will destroy the touch of personality which original writing always carries.
Too many quotes, precisely when architecting a ChatGPT love letter in which every sentence stems from many.
A short list of don’ts
- Don’t write affectionate letters on postal cards
- Don’t send postals to take the place of letters
- Don’t write like the tracks of an intoxicated hen (what?)
- Don’t write a volume about nothing
First letters
True sincere letters well written and well expressed are a pleasure which any one looks forward to receiving and many a life-long friendship has been formed by correspondence, to say nothing of the reams of love letters uniting happy couples.
The opportunity to read the same articles and books makes more things in common to discuss and proves to aid in increasing the feeling of nearness and friendship. A trifling thing of everyday life such as the weather also creates the feeling of being in touch with the writer, since in spite of all wisdom the state of the weather affects us all in one way or another.
“Thank you very much for the list of books… I stopped at the book stop to purchase all he had in stock. Two you mentioned I have much enjoyed… and it makes our bond of friendship seem a little deeper and stronger to know that you cared for the latter, as it is struck very deep in my consciousness. Do you feel the same way about books as I do, as if they were deep, true friends who had cheered and helped over rough places in life? To-morrow I will have the book shop send you three volumes which will give you several varieties of provender for your literary tooth.
.. Do you know these lines by Maeterlinck, ‘I speak the name — it caresses as a wing, the breath of flowers, a sign of joy, a ray of light, it adorns you all over, it sings in the heart, it lightens the lips.’ As I am tonight feeling a bold buccaneer, it may be caused by the wind howling by and rushing in around the corners - I am going to take your consent for granted and sign myself
- Faithfully yours, Edgar.
sweet sentiments with the books, but truly a buccaneer with that quote.
Love letters
When we write a love letter we want the loved one to enjoy it with us, and the quickest way to accomplish this is to study what is most pleasing to ourselves and see the same reflected in the letter to the one adored.
Do, send me another letter very soon and I will try to write more sensibly if you wish me to do so. I hope you will not, however, for to be truthful I am a little bit tired of being sensible about you.
Rejection
Do not be hurt, dear friend of mine, by these plain words, for they really arise from a truer, deeper affection than if I glibly seized the chance of happiness with a quick “yes”.