“The time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To talk of many things:
Of shoes–and ships–and sealing-wax….-Lewis Carroll
In the BBC film version of Pride and Prejudice (1995), Mr. Darcy stays up all night writing a letter to Elizabeth Bennet in an effort to clear himself of unjust charges by Mr. Wickham. He seals the envelope with sealing wax stamped with his signet ring. This letter writing scene was not in the original book by Jane Austen. In Pride and Prejudice, letters were the way of conveying information from a distance. Or in Darcy’s case, a way to speak from the heart without speaking face to face. The people in the story had to wait to find out what was happening with their friends and family. There was no texting, emails, or phone calls. I remember, not so long ago, this was the way we communicated. There was something special about receiving a handwritten letter. There was the anticipation built up of when the letter would come and the excitement of its arrival. There was noting the choice of stationary and the handwriting of the sender. Sometimes it could be hard to read some of the words depending on the penmanship. There could be cross outs. You saved special letters in a box. I remember I liked my writing to be clear and hated to cross out words so I would end up throwing out cards or paper and starting over. You wanted your lines to be straight inside and on the envelope, and you might pick out special postage stamps. I remember my mother in law, my husband’s aunt, and I addressing my wedding invitations by hand. For my daughter-in-law’s rehearsal dinner I picked out special postage stamps with images of wedding bands. I have a Montblanc fountain pen that I have to fill with ink. Texting or emails just can’t compare. How romantic to receive a handwritten letter sealed with wax with impression of a signet ring. I miss letter writing and receiving handwritten letters.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday is hosted by Linda G Hill. The prompt words are sealing/ceiling. Featured image of illustration from Pride and Prejudice by C. E. Brock via wikimedia. Image of letter with wax seal by Charlotte Gilhooly via Flickr.
Notes Tied On The Sagebrush 
Handwritten letters are a special gift today, Deborah 🙂
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They truly are. Very nice to get you comment today, too. Hope you are feeling much better. 🙂
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My mom always had us write thank you letters for Christmas and birthday money we got in cards from our aunts in Wisconsin. The letters my parents sent me will always be treasured. Oh how I wish I’d saved the letters from my high school sweetheart. I must write to my aunt!
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The Thank You note is one form of writing we still maintain. It is great to go back and read old letters, takes you back to another time. I know your aunt would love to get that letter. 🙂
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🙂
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thank you. I feel the same way… I loved going to the mailbox and finding “happy” mail. we used to do ATC swaps, or art envelopes.. now….. I shared your post with my readers ..=^_^= have a great day.
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How wonderful to get something written on handmade stationery. There used to be shop around here called The Paper Post where they had handmade paper and unique stationery but they went out of business. Thank you for sharing my post. 🙂
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I agree. There is something special about getting handwritten letters or notes in a card. It has the personal feel that email does not. People choose email these day simply because it’s easy and a time-saver. I wonder how much of an impact it has had on the companies that make stationery, notes cards and memo pads. I don’t imagine people buy these items as much as they did 20 years ago.
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I think a lot of stationery shops have closed. When email started to become so popular I really resisted it at first. My husband has an aunt who moved to Australia and I did not like it when she first started using email. But not too long after I got into it too. Letters take a long time to get here from Australia. But I still like writing on paper. 🙂
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I send cards occasionally to two blogger friends in Australia, so I know it takes time. But they are always favorably received, more so than an email.
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I am sure they are well received. It is so nice to get letters and cards in the mail. 🙂
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Cool! I wrote about sealing wax, also! There’s just something special about sending and receiving handwritten cards and letters! 🙂
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Yes, definitely is nice. Makes me want to break out that fountain pen and get some new stationery. 🙂
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Me, too! 🙂
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I send handwritten cards on occasion, but my handwriting is not a pretty sight. Still the cards seem to be well-received.
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Handwritten card are more personal and intimate. It shows thoughtfulness. 🙂
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