A Romantic Love Letter by Mary Wollstonecraft
October 31, 2009 by Carol
Filed under romantic love letters
A Romantic Love Letter written by Mary Wollstonecraft to William Godwin
Although Mary Wollstonecraft was born into a upper middle class family her parents were alcoholics and she had a fairly miserable existence until she “escaped” that background by becoming a governess and companion whilst working for a bookseller and publisher.
Mary Wollstonecraft, Anglo-Irish feminist and writer, to William Godwin, philosopher and writer. She over the years hand been writing love letters to men whom she was attached. We will be adding a number of her very loving love letters shortly.
By this time of writing this love letter she had supposedly got over the break-up with Captain Gilbert Imlay with whom she had had a very difficult life with his betrayals turning to other women. He had had even left her and their daughter Fanny in Paris France to face the French revolution guards at a time when many of her friends were being arrested on trumped up charges and taken to the guillotine to be beheaded. Despite all that she loved him and even attempted sucide when she thought she could not go on alone.
However she was rescued in time and married William Godwin to whom this letter is addressed. Shortly after her marriage on March 29, 1797 she died whilst giving birth to Mary (her daughter who was to marry the poet Shelley and become the author of “Frankenstein”) but not before writing this charming love letter.
It is believed that this romantic love letter was written October 4, 1796
I would have liked to have dined with you today, after finishing your essay – that my eyes, and lips, I do not exactly mean my voice, might have told you that they had raised you in my esteem. What a cold word! I would say love, if you will promise not to dispute about its propriety, when I want to express an increasing affection, founded on a more intimate acquaintance with your heart and understanding.
I shall cork up all my kindness – yet the fine volatile essence may fly off in my walk – you know not how much tenderness for you may escape in a voluptuous sigh, should the air, as is often the case, give a pleasurable movement to the sensations, that have been clustering round my heart, as I read this morning – reminding myself, every now and then, that the writer loved me.
Voluptuous is often expressive of a meaning I do not now intend to give, I would describe one of those moments, when the senses are exactly tuned by the ringing tenderness of the heart and according reason entices you to live in the present moment, regardless of the past or future – it is not rapture – it is sublime tranquility.
I have felt it in your arms – hush! Let not the light see, I was going to say hear it – these confessions should only be uttered – you know where, when the curtains are up – and all the world shut out – Ah me!
I wish I may find you at home when I carry this letter to drop it in the box, – that I may drop a kiss with it into your heart, to be embalmed, till me meet, closer.
**********************
We will be adding a number of passionate love letters written by Mary to the despicable Captain Imlay showing the various stages of her deep and forgiving love for the man.
Other Love letters written by Mary Wollstonecraft
Romantic Love Letter written August 1793
Romantic Love Letter written December 1793
Romantic love letter written December 29 1973
Romantic love letter written January 1794
Romantic love letter written March 12 1794
Romantic love letter written Oct 26 1794
Romantic love letter written Sept 23 1794
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