I came across The Gracious Girl blog today and enjoyed her post titled, "You are what you read...." I encourage you to pay The Gracious Girl a visit. Jane Austen said, "One who can write a long letter with ease can not write ill." It may also be said that one who reads good books can not write ill. When I read good books (truly good books that have stood the test of time and become part of our collective memory and conversation) I hope that in reading and savoring every word will I enjoy not only elevation of mind but that I will also enjoy the happy side effect of writing just a bit better and having more to contribute to the conversation of letters. Having said that, I shall now return to my book. Jane Eyre awaits my return!
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![]() Imagine my surprise when I when I opened my mailbox and found a package! When I got home from the post office I eagerly but carefully opened it. Inside was a book accompanied by a letter. This is not just any book. This is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Should you wonder at its significance, Anna and I have been corresponding, among other things, about the books we read. I admitted to her that I was unfamiliar with the Bronte sisters. Such unfamiliarities are easily cured but I never expected to be cured in this way. This is a small, leather bound edition which became an immediate treasure. As you can see from the pictures below, everything from the handwriting on the envelope to the gilded binding of the book is lovely. The embossed edge of the card above is echoed by the decorative though edge of the stationery which gives the feeling of a matching set. I thought this was very nice. Now for the real treat: the book itself. Enjoy the pictures and imagine how the paper feels and smells. A picture says a thousand words on its own but ten thousand to an engaged imagination. I read the first chapter yesterday evening and will read more today. When I am finished I will have a shared experience with my friend Anna. Shared experience is one thing books, like letters, give us and that is a beautiful thing. Thank you, Anna!
I had been expecting a letter from Sweden because Lennart told me he would send one. I was therefore not surprised to find a letter from Sweden in my post box the other day but I was, however, absolutely delighted. The delight was partially due to fulfilled anticipation, and partially due to the beautiful stamp attached to the letter. I had not noticed this before, but I like stamps. Naturally, I keep envelopes and and their stamps along with the letters they contain but now I am toying with the idea of starting a collection of the stamps I receive and putting them in a book. The trouble, however, with that idea is that I will never want to remove the stamps from the envelopes they came attached to. ![]() Take a closer look at the stamp. It is gorgeous! It is also a special commemorative stamp honoring the marriage of Princess Victoria. I am quite certain that when I go to the post office to mail my return letter on Monday I will not find a suitable rival for this stamp. But then, when is the last time we had a royal wedding in the United States? ![]() Lennart made mention of Margaret Shepherd's "Art of the Handwritten Note" and I wondered why on earth I did not own a copy of it. I went then to Amazon.com where I found a copy of "The Art of the Personal Letter" by the same author. Intending to be more frugal this year than in the past I searched for a used copy and was quite pleased to find one for 96 cents. With $4 shipping I still got a bargain. This book may just start a new collection of letter writing books. If I continue to find books at this price they will be well within budget; and being within budget will surely aid my pursuit of more books. Thank you, Lennart, for the letter, the inspiration, and the beautiful stamp!
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Letter Matters
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