Letter written by Charlotte Smith to Unknown, dated November 23 1899
Introduction
The letter written by Charlotte Smith is addressed to a group of unidentified men, as she writes "Gentlemen" to begin her letter. Within the letter, Charlotte Smith is inquiring about a book written by Bryan Edwards, which speaks about his account of the Jamaican Maroons. The Maroons were a group of people who escaped slavery from Jamaica and established a community amongst themselves, which gave them freedom from slaveholders. Within the letter, Charlotte Smith is also inquiring about a new novel recommended by the letter's receiver, as she says that she will buy it "if a very good one." Charlotte Smith is cautious within her letter as she politely warns the receiver how she does not want to intrude upon their daily affairs; however, she would still like to make requests on them when they have time.
Description
This letter is written gracefully as Charlotte Smith has a calligraphic style to her handwriting. There are no folds on the physical piece of paper on which she wrote the letter, nor are there any indentations or stains where a wax seal would have been. Therefore, it is fair to assume that this was instead a note that would have been hand-delivered and not considered confidential, as anyone would have been able to read it without the wax seal. Smith's handwriting is long and drawn out. She is not worried about preserving space as some of the individual letters take up lots of room on the piece of paper. For example, her lowercase D's have spirals which take up what could be two lines of handwriting and the hanging of her G's, Y's, and P's are long, loopy, and drawn out. Smith leaves lots of space underneath the letter for her address and the date. She is not concerned about preserving space for the recipient to write back on the same piece of paper; therefore, she must know that the recipient has enough money to purchase paper of their own to write back on.
Notable Features
A notable feature on the letter is the underlining of "which if a very good one," as Charlotte Smith is speaking about a recommended novel. This feature tells the reader that Smith has a specific taste for books and has standardized what she considered a good versus a bad novel. Therefore, it is fair to assume that Smith has read multiple novels as she can discern which ones she enjoys to the ones she dislikes.
Analysis
Charlotte Smith died in 1806, so this letter was written approximately seven years before her death. Although she was young when she died at the age of 57, she continued her studies and inquiries to enhance her writing, as proven in this letter. In the letter, Smith is inquiring about a book written by Bryan Edwards called "The Proceedings of the Governor and Assembly of Jamaica, in Regard to the Maroon Negroes: Published by order of the Assembly." Edwards' novel discusses the fight between the British Colonies and the Maroons, and Smith was perhaps searching for inspiration for her book, The Story of Henrietta. The Story of Henrietta is about the protagonist, Henrietta, and her father, a slaveholder, living in Jamaica. Smith presumedly had to learn about the details of slaveholding and therefore needed this book to gain further insight. Smith asks the recipient for a favour by giving her these accounts, insinuating that these gentlemen were not her publishers. Smith was constantly in financial need and therefore asked for favours to avoid paying the costs of actually buying the book. Smith's financial need would explain the mix of casualty and business within the letter, as she acts friendly but professional. The letter also showcases Smith's interest in reading novels and the standard of novels she preferred to read. Smith clarifies that she will only purchase the novel recommended by the recipient if it is a very good one, showing that she trusts the recipient's literary skills. It also shows that Smith has enough money to purchase novels and has bought enough to distinguish which genres she prefers.
Diplomatic Transcription by Garin Felman & Paige Serrer
Gentlemen,
I shall be much oblig'd to you if you will
once more lend me Edward's account of the Maroons
which you once oblig'd me with — I should also thank you
for a sight of the new novel you advertise, [Fredc. Latimer?] which if a very
good one, I will purchase. I trust I do not intrude too
much on your obliging readiness to accommodate, when, not
being writing for you I make these requests.
I am gentn. your obligd servt.
C Smith
36. Alsop's Buildg.
Nov. 23. 99