Archive Item of the Month – February 2013

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching so it seemed fitting to present a Valentine’s message written in 1896 as this month’s item from the University Archive Collection.

Love Lane

Feb. 4^th 1896

Dear Miss Smith

The great love I have hitherto expressed for you

is false, and I find my indifference towards you

increases daily. The more I see of you the more

you appear in mine eyes an object of contempt.

I feel myself every way disposed and determined

to hate you. Believe me, I never had an intention

to offer you my hand. Our last conversation has

left a tedious insipidity which has by no means

given me the most exalted idea of your character;

your temper would make me extremely unhappy

and if we are united, I shall experience nothing but

the hatred of my parents, added to everlasting dis-

pleasure in living with you. I have indeed a heart

to bestow, but I do not desire you to imagine it

at your service. I could not give it to anyone more

inconsistent and capricious than yourself, and less

capable to do honour to my choice and family.

Yes I hope that you will be persuaded that

I speak sincerely, and you will do me a favour

to avoid me. I shall excuse you taking the trouble

to answer this; your letters are always full of

impertinence, and you have not a shadow of

wit or good sense. Adew! and believe me

so adverse to you that it is impossible for me

ever to be yours.

                                    Thomas Brown

N.B. The father on finding this read

            it straight through but Miss Smith

            only read each alternate line

This witty letter was written as part of the Manuscript Chelt for 1895-1896. The Manuscript Chelts were compiled by students at the Cheltenham Training College (later St Paul’s College) as part of a tradition dating from 1879. The volumes are beautifully compiled and contain stories, poems, music, artwork, eyewitness accounts, sports reports and later photographs all documenting the student experience at the time.