Valentine’s Day Edition: The Language of Flowers, How to Write a Victorian Love Letter, and Parasol Flirtations

Once again, I am excerpting from what is becoming my favorite book, The Mystery of Love, Courtship and Marriage Explained, 1890. Using my Photoshop skills, I merged a passage about the language of flowers with a floral graphic from Cassell’s Family Magazine, 1885 . I hope you will enjoy this special Valentine’s Day present from me to you. 

 

More on writing Victorian love letters…

From a young man to a young lady whom he has known some time.

To Miss Maggie Holmes,

Dear Maggie:- When I began to love you I did not know what ills I was preparing for myself. The fear of hopeless passion has at times depressed me with despair, and yet the object of my adoration is such an inestimable prize that all the energy of my being forces me to strive for it. Since I first met you the world has changed its aspect. Some secret charm enlivens every object; all nature seems animated with the genial warmth of love. Your beautiful image is always before me; neither time nor place can deprive me of it, and it appears still more enchanting with each recurring vision. I wait with impatience the happy moment when I can see you again. You are surrounded by your family and friends, who adore you. You are the ornament of society and the admired representative of a nation. Alas! I have so little to offer in exchange for all these. But you are essential to my happiness, and if you will accept my love and become my wife I shall be inspired with new hopes and endeavors. It shall be the chief effort of my life to make you happy. Sincerely, H. Edward Charles

Favorable Reply to the Foregoing

To H. Edward Charles: Your kind and manly letter opens my eye to the fact that what I believed to be only a warm friendship is a stronger feeling. I see that it would be a pain to me to lose your visits and presence, and that such love as you promise your wife would make me very happy. You see that I answer you frankly, deeming it wrong to trifle with such an affection as you offer to me.  

I have shown your letter to my parents, and they desire me to say that they will be pleased to have you call this evening to see them. With kindest regards, I am,

      Ever yours truly,

Maggie Holmes

Learn more about writing a Victorian love letter.

See more posts from The Mystery of Love, Courtship and Marriage Explained:

How to Write Victorian Love Letters

Handkerchief and Fan Flirtations

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