The time-honored art of letter writing has been overshadowed by ‘quick fix’ emails and text messages
These days immediate gratification is the name of the game as the ways of romance and chivalry seem to fall by the wayside. In this fast moving world of technology people can now communicate with each other instantaneously. Whether it’s using the cell phone in your pocket to make a quick call or sending a text message or email on your smart phone it has never been easier to communicate, in real time…
Romantic relationships these days are more about quick one liners than romance
Is instant communication a good thing or should the age of letter writing make a comeback? Most of us can’t even imagine putting pen to paper and writing a formal, long and detailed letter to our loved one. Years ago, for couples separated by circumstance or war, a monthly letter was the best one could hope for and was something cherished and looked forward to.
We take a look at some classic excerpts from famous love letters and the people who wrote them. We hope it might inspire you to put your iphone down, reach for your fountain pen and put ‘quill to paper’…
1: Robert Burns – 1759-1796
The famous Scottish poet and lyricist was regarded as the national poet of Scotland in his time. He was also quite the lover it seems having had a string of relationships, one with his Mothers servant Elizabeth Paton. Here is a touching excerpt from one of his love letters:
The passion of love has need to be productive of much delight; as where it takes thorough possession of the man, it almost unfits him for anything else.
The lover who is certain of an equal return of affection, is surely the happiest of men; but he who is a prey to the horrors of anxiety and dreaded disappointment, is a being whose situation is by no means enviable.
2: Ludwig Von Beethoven – 1770-1827
Possibly the most famous and successful composer of all time, Beethoven was also a romantic as is clear from some of the vivid and heartfelt letters he wrote:
My angel, my all, my very self
We shall surely see each other soon; moreover, today I cannot share with you the thoughts I have had during these last few days touching my own life. If our hearts were always close together, I would have none of these.
My heart is full of so many things to say to you – ah – there are moments when I feel that speech amounts to nothing at all Cheer up – remain my true, my only treasure, my all as I am yours. Ah, wherever I am, there you are also. Much as you love me – I love you more
Oh God – so near! so far!
3: Napoleon Bonaparte – 1769-1821
This highly passionate French military leader was renowned and indeed famous for his desire filled and lustful letters to his wife Josephine from the battlefront:
I wake filled with thoughts of you. Your portrait and the intoxicating evening which we spent yesterday have left my senses in turmoil.
Sweet incomparable Josephine, what a strange effect you have on my heart!
Yielding to the profound feelings which overwhelm me, I draw from your lips, from your heart a love which consumes me with fire?
Until then, mio dolce amor, a thousand kisses; but give me none in return, for they set my blood on fire.
If you want to read more excerpts from some of Napoleon’s love letters check out this great article by Nicholas Ferroni on mentalfloss.com
4: Lord Randolph Churchill – 1849-1895
This British Statesman was in fact the Father of the famous British wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill. A passionate man, he loved his wife Jennie Jerome deeply as is clear from his letters to her:
Dearest if you are as fond of me as I am of you…nothing human could keep us long apart.
This last week has seemed an eternity tome; Oh, I would give my soul for another of those days we had together not long ago…
My first and only love…Believe me ever to be
5: Lord George Gordon Byron – 1788-1824
This Anglo-Scottish romantic poet was known for his lengthy narrative poems and was clearly a natural when it came to romantic letter writing as well:
In that word, beautiful in all languages, but most so in yours–Amor mio–is comprised my existence here and hereafter.
I feel I exist here, and I feel I shall exist hereafter,–to what purpose you will decide; my destiny rests with you,
But I more than love you, and cannot cease to love you.
Think of me, sometimes, when the Alps and ocean divide us,–but they never will, unless you wish it
