Daily American telegraph., 1852-06-24
Extraordinary Loys-Ls.tsr.

In q collection of ancient tracts and manu-
scripts, by Mr.. Charles Clark, is the following
curious and quaint loye-letter, which was adj
dressed to lady of Maiden, England, in the
wear 1914. AS It is remarkable specimen Of
| the then fashionable mode of inditing such COM
positions, we give it entire;
To the most choice Ge1ie,0Oaaa, and ornament Of
her ser, Mrs. Elizabeth Goode, daughter Of Mr..
SeJdstin Goods, Enquire al Maiden.
Mrs. ELIzABETH II have long been an earn
est sutton to your honor and deserts, that
might be admitted an humble sutton to your sweet
selfe; now after many striyeings and wrestlings
have almost prevailed. My next suit is, that
vour dearest selfe would comply with your dear
est parents desires and mine: they are most
ready to part with great part of their estate
for your sake and | most Willipge to place all
my Joys and delights in you alone. Now it is,
or will sodainely be, in your sole power to dash
and Illustrate or crowne all my indeavors hereby
you will make me most happy man, and your
selfe Il hope) no less happy spouse.
!" Well sweete Mrs Elizabeth, be not afraid to
venture on me as you have most tender father
and most indulgent mother, so lett me, that
think Providence kept for you, furnish you with
4 very. very loving husband Could you reade
my most inmost thoughts, you would soon an
swere love with love- / here promise you, and will
make good this promise againe when that happy
day comes) on holy ground that will love and
honor you.
Knowe, this is my virgin request, the first re-
quest in earnest that ever came from my hppes
or pen; my eyes have scene many youuge gal
lants and virgins, but Mrs. Elizabeth is the de-
light of my eyes.
Among all the works Of God, delight most
in beholdinge (the sun excepted) an amlable
countenance and such is yours, or none are in
these parts of Europe. Your face is mappe of
beauties, your gentle breast cabinet OF vertues,
and your whole selfe cluster Of all the choicest
delcacies but, in PLANE English, not your
pleasinge aspect, nor well featured person, nor
admired excellencies, nor weighty portion, fast
ened my affections on you, but your love tof this
have been long perswaded) to man (mysalf |
mean) SO undesorying it.
As for myselfe, | am thought worthy of a
good wife, though unworthy of you These pretty
toyes, called husbands, are such rare commodities
in this age, that can woe and WHINE wives by
the dozens. | knowe not any gentewonian in
these parts, but would kisse letter from my
hands, read it with oye, and then laye it up next
her heart as treasure but will not frye their
courtesies except find you discourteous.
"My last request is this: take a turn in private
then read this letter againe, and imagine the pen
man at your elbow Next aye your hand upon
your heart and resolve to save Amen to my de-
sires If so, shall accept your portion with
the left hand, but your lovely person with the
right Portions | can have enough to my mind
in other places, but not wife to my mind in any
place of the wide world but at Maiden. hope,
therefore, no place shall furnish you with nus
band but Kingstone where lives in hope your
most hearty friend and servant
THOMAS BouRMAN
"From my Chamber, Dec. 2 1914