Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1893-12-15
PURITAN Lovg.LETTERs.
Hearts Heat Then Very Much as They DO
Now,

Now.
have spoken of the loving care with
which New England writers of to-day
are reproducing for us the life and
manners of past times, writes corre-
spondent. Another significant instance
of this spirit is the publication Of
"Some Old Puritan Love-Letters,"
written by John and Margaret VIM
throp between the years lGls and 1858
Mr.. Joseph Hopkins Twitchcll, who
has edited these letters for publication,
explains that they were written hur-
riedly in the intervals of engrcssing
cares, principally during Gov Win-
throp's prolonged trips to England
after their marriage, although certain
letters written by Winthrop to Marga-
ret Tyndal while she was still in Der
English home in Essex, England, be-
gin the book. These anti-nuptial let
tiers are the only ones which show care
full preparation Probably Gov Win.
throp was neither the first nor the lass
man to write more at length to the
lady of his love before marriage than
after 1t.
From the prominent part played by
Winthrop in founding the Massachu'
sets colony the letters have some his
torc value, but their references to
passing events are as rule brief. 1t in
after all, Us revelation of a pleasing
love story that they reward attention.
Hearts beat then under buff and black
very much as they do under four
button sack coats, best imported suit
ings." But there is difference The
times were stern, the thoughts of men
duty and points of doctrine for which
the non-conformists had suffered SO
much, Even his long love letters be-
fore marriage Winthrop alls mainly
with exhortations to wait on the lorde'
and with citations of passages in scrip
ture. But the thread of a romance runs
through them. The lady's relatives
had objected to the worldly estate Of
the poor young lawyer going to new
| land far across the stormy sea. But
move, writes Winthrope' Zoe lsnowe
| that thou lowest me, Therefore
| 1t is MY desire to confrme thy heart In
this resolution, not that | fear any
| change y but for that wishs
! thee large addition of comfort to thy
constancie." Finally he assured her
that he hopes to have an income of ESQ
year or better, but begs the lady not
| to tell her friends thyt. 81 had rather
that they should fnde than expecte
it, says the sturdy wooer who knows
his own worth. 81 have nothing to
send thee but my love; neither shall !
bringe thee anythinge but myselfe.
which knowe will be best welcome"
writes he five years later, after their
marriage.
Mrs. Winthrop's letters are couched
in tone as devout as her husbands
Yet that one which Is here produced in
fac-simile is like others which seem to
show greater degree of tenderness
than the distraught husbands, One
likes to think of the proud yet gracious
lady sitting by her candle, with a babe
few months old nesting impatiently
in lis cradle, while she writes, Most
deare and loving husbandc-I can not
express my love to you as desire in
these poore lifelessc lines, but ] doe
heartily wish you did see my harte,
how true and faythfull it is to you and
how much | do desire to be allwayes
with you to enjoy the sweet comfort Of
your presence and SO on until Lit
tell Somerwell," no longer to be salts
fed by an occasional jog of slippered
foot against his cradle, thinks it is
time for me to goe to bed" and so she
must come to an end with "Farwell,
my sweete husband" Here is a mag.
niticcnt subject for q painter Y.
Recorder