Post by lastbloom on Jun 3, 2011 21:58:43 GMT -5
A while ago, Miss Waterman expressed interest in finding others who wished to carry on a period correspondence, and I eagerly accepted the challenge. However, as I sat down and penned several drafts, I realized that the tone and the story were all wrong and was at a loss. A family friend suggested that he and I might do some character exploration as Father and Daughter in a series of "letters" and I have found this to be tremendously helpful in developing a voice and history for myself. I know both The Doctor and Miss Waterman post some correspondence on their respective blogs, and am curious if others have tried this method.
I thought I might share a bit of one of my letters with the group:
Bramley Hall, Somerset
1 June 1803
Dearest Papa,
I hope you will forgive the lapse in my correspondence, and in this letter I will try to give my news without too much complaining. I trust that in recounting the misadventures of the last month I will give you some amusement and make amends for not writing sooner.
.........
I am coming to the part now from which I expect you will derive some entertainment. It regards our new home, Bramley Cottage. My husband has been at sea almost constantly since he was a boy, and has had little occasion to be so far inland as Bramley these last ten years. When his brother wrote to offer us the cottage, Capt. B exclaimed, “Oh that shall do very well for us, Maria! It is a charming place, with roses all ‘round the door. Should you not like a little cottage with roses around the door, my dear?” I said indeed I should like it of all things, and desired him at once to write and accept his brother’s kind offer. I arrived a fortnight ago to discover that the “roses ‘round the door” are nearly the only part of the structure in good standing. The walls are sound enough, but the roof had collapsed over part of the house and, as I entered, I startled a badger who had taken up residence in a cupboard under the stairs in the front hall. As you know, I am fond of flowers, though perhaps not so much that I would desire them to grow through the windows into the parlor. I am afraid my husband’s fond recollection of the place, coupled with his brother’s unintentional omission of critical details (viz. roof, badgers), left me poorly prepared for the reality of my new situation. Still, I am not lacking in zeal, and soon arranged to have the roof replaced and the wildlife removed. I did not know this, but it is apparently impossible for men to put a roof on when it is raining – just when one would most require a roof – and as it has been storming for the last week without a pause, I have taken shelter up at the hall. I have not been idle, however, and have chosen new papers for most of the house…to be put up as soon as it is dry. And the Navy complains that life at sea is wet!
..........
Rest assured that I am well and dry, and in very good spirits. I am longing for news of home and our family, and hope to receive a letter from you very soon.
Your loving daughter,
Maria Gordon Browning
I thought I might share a bit of one of my letters with the group:
Bramley Hall, Somerset
1 June 1803
Dearest Papa,
I hope you will forgive the lapse in my correspondence, and in this letter I will try to give my news without too much complaining. I trust that in recounting the misadventures of the last month I will give you some amusement and make amends for not writing sooner.
.........
I am coming to the part now from which I expect you will derive some entertainment. It regards our new home, Bramley Cottage. My husband has been at sea almost constantly since he was a boy, and has had little occasion to be so far inland as Bramley these last ten years. When his brother wrote to offer us the cottage, Capt. B exclaimed, “Oh that shall do very well for us, Maria! It is a charming place, with roses all ‘round the door. Should you not like a little cottage with roses around the door, my dear?” I said indeed I should like it of all things, and desired him at once to write and accept his brother’s kind offer. I arrived a fortnight ago to discover that the “roses ‘round the door” are nearly the only part of the structure in good standing. The walls are sound enough, but the roof had collapsed over part of the house and, as I entered, I startled a badger who had taken up residence in a cupboard under the stairs in the front hall. As you know, I am fond of flowers, though perhaps not so much that I would desire them to grow through the windows into the parlor. I am afraid my husband’s fond recollection of the place, coupled with his brother’s unintentional omission of critical details (viz. roof, badgers), left me poorly prepared for the reality of my new situation. Still, I am not lacking in zeal, and soon arranged to have the roof replaced and the wildlife removed. I did not know this, but it is apparently impossible for men to put a roof on when it is raining – just when one would most require a roof – and as it has been storming for the last week without a pause, I have taken shelter up at the hall. I have not been idle, however, and have chosen new papers for most of the house…to be put up as soon as it is dry. And the Navy complains that life at sea is wet!
..........
Rest assured that I am well and dry, and in very good spirits. I am longing for news of home and our family, and hope to receive a letter from you very soon.
Your loving daughter,
Maria Gordon Browning
