BIB_ID
439831
Accession number
MA 14348.7
Creator
Smith, Madeleine, 1835-1928, sender.
Display Date
Glasgow, Scotland, 1855 October 11.
Credit line
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
Description
1 item (4 pages) ; 11.3 x 18.2 cm
Notes
Inscribed and initialed in red ink in a hand believed to be that of Peter Taylor Young, Procurator Fiscal of the Sheriff Court Glasgow, at the head of first page: G. 221 1. P.T.Y. In red ink on fourth page: G. 221/ 2. P.T.Y. On envelope: G 221/2. P.T.Y. What it means remains to be discovered.
Inscribed in ink at the bottom of the fourth page: "Desk, Lodges, JM, BML." These are the signatures of Glasgow sherriff-officer John Murray and his assistant Bernard M'Lauchlin. The inscriptions "Desk" and "Lodges" signal where the letters were found. Same inscription on envelope.
Cross-writing on pages 4-9.
With postmarks and seal; address panel: To / Mr. L'Angelier / 10 Bothwell Street / Glasgow.
Inscribed in ink at the bottom of the fourth page: "Desk, Lodges, JM, BML." These are the signatures of Glasgow sherriff-officer John Murray and his assistant Bernard M'Lauchlin. The inscriptions "Desk" and "Lodges" signal where the letters were found. Same inscription on envelope.
Cross-writing on pages 4-9.
With postmarks and seal; address panel: To / Mr. L'Angelier / 10 Bothwell Street / Glasgow.
Provenance
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
Summary
Expressing regret regarding her conduct toward him; wishing herself dead and asking for his forgiveness; remarking that she wonders if he will ever love her; stating that she knows her father has been cruel to him, and that she can never forgive her father for separating them; reassuring him that she loves him even more now that she knows he is poor, and sharing that she feels she could endure a life of poverty as long as they could be together; feeling heartbroken and noting that no human being knows the agony that she endures; describing her guilt over that "fatal night"; feels that Emile must hate her and probably curses the day that he met her; asking him to send her a lock of his hair; wondering if any happiness is in store for her; asking him to write to her; promising that no one will ever read his letters to her.
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