Charlotte Bronte, English writer, to
Professor Constantin Heger [January
8, 1845]
Monsieur, the poor have not need of
much to sustain them -- they ask only for the crumbs that fall from the rich
man's table. But if they are refused the crumbs they die of hunger. Nor do
I, either, need much affection from those I love. I should not know what to
do with a friendship entire and complete - I am not used to it. But you
showed me of yore a little interest, when I was your pupil in Brussels, and
I hold on to the maintenance of that little interest -- I hold on to it as I
would hold on to life.
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Sullivan Ballou wrote to his
wife Sarah just one week before he and 27 of his close comrades and 4000
Americans in all would die in the battle at "First Manassas"
[July the 14th, 1861]
Washington D.C.My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we
shall move in a few days -- perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to
write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye
when I shall be no more.
Our movement may be one of a few days
duration and full of pleasure -- and it may be one of severe conflict and
death to me. Not my will, but thine 0 God, be done. If it is necessary that
I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no
misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged,
and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American
Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a
debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of
the Revolution. And I am willing -- perfectly willing -- to lay down all my
joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
But, my dear wife, when I know that with my
own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with
cares and sorrows -- when, after having eaten for long years the bitter
fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my
dear little children -- is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my
purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for
you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though
useless, contest with my love of country?
I cannot describe to you my feelings on
this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many
of them enjoying the last, perhaps, before that of death -- and I,
suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am
communing with God, my country, and thee.
I have sought most closely and diligently,
and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness
of those I loved and I could not find one. A pure love of my country and of
the principles have often advocated before the people and "the name of honor
that I love more than I fear death" have called upon me, and I have obeyed.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it
seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence
could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and
bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.
The memories of the blissful moments I have
spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and
to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them
up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might
still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable
manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine
Providence, but something whispers to me -- perhaps it is the wafted prayer
of my little Edgar -- that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do
not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last
breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains
I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have oftentimes been! How
gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness,
and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my
children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and
hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little
freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.
But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to
this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near
you; in the garish day and in the darkest night -- amidst your happiest
scenes and gloomiest hours -- always, always; and if there be a soft breeze
upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing
temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am
gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.
As for my little boys, they will grow as I
have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too
young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with
him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited
confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters.
Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O
Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.
Sullivan
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Elizabeth Barrett Browning To Robert
Browning
To Robert Browning:
And now listen to me in turn. You have touched me more profoundly than I
thought even you could have touched me - my heart was full when you came
here today. Henceforward I am yours for everything....
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning
(1806-1861)
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Alfred de Musset to to Amantine
Aurore Dudevant [1833 AD]
I have something stupid and
ridiculous to tell you. I am foolishly writing to you instead of having
told you this, I do not know why, when returning from that walk.
To-night I shall be annoyed at having done so. You will laugh in my face,
will take me for a maker of phrases in all my relations with you hitherto.
You will show me the door and you will think I am lying.
I am in love with you. I have been thus since the first day I called on
you.
Alfred de Musset
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