The Gift of the Lover—Then and Now

IN VANITY FAIR

Comte d'Artois to a Fair Unknown. 1773

AND I am sending you, dear friend, by the bearer of this missive, together with three dozen pairs of lemon colored kid gloves, the safe-conduct, procured at the cost of endless duplicity, which I earnestly hope will enable you to pass unharmed by the sanguinary Revolutionists, from this unhappy country to the small but charming court of Wurtemburg, whose hospitable Prince will make it his dearest duty to protect you until such time as I may again have the felicity of beholding your face. Pray believe me ever your attached

Paris

D'ARTOIS

Lord Coleraine to Perdita 1801

HEAVENLY Creature: I am sending you, A at the request of his Highness, a copy of my own especial recipe for boot-varnish; its chief ingredient is a magnum of champagne. Although 1 seek not to rival a royal suitor, 1 may at least offer you my undying admiration, together with a few poor roses, whose sole purpose in blooming was the hope that their beauty might render them worthy of your acceptance. As my rose-garden is now laid waste for the adornment of your boudoir, even so is my life made desolate without your smile. Yours but too completely,

London

COLERAINE

Count d'Orsay to Lady Blessington. 1817

MY LADY: Permit me to clasp about your beautiful wrists these cameo bracelets; you condescended to fancy them during your sojourn in Paris. I have but this instant arrived from Gravesend, after a wretched crossing; I shall wait upon you this evening without fail, and refresh my fatigue with the elixir of your sparkling conversation and incomparable grace. Pray tell your daughter that I have brought her a coral necklace of the latest design. I seal this missive with a kiss, the like of which I shall presently imprint upon your hand. Tout a toi,

London

D'ORSAY

Shaw Salstonstall to his Fiancee. 1860

EMILY, my dearest: I miss you. The town is amazingly dull. The weather alone is perfect, and I think sadly of you, with Jimmy Lowell and Jimmy Fields, playing endless games of Croquet at North Conway. These golden summer afternoons we should be driving down Beacon Street in my new phaeton, which is so small that you may find it difficult to dispose your crinoline therein. I send you, for a gift upon the anniversary of your birth, the most charming object, excepting yourself, it is possible to imagine; your own Daguerreotype, framed in a gilt oval and mounted on blue velvet. Abigail Adams has colored it by hand. With unwavering affection.

Boston

SHAW

Due D'Abrantes to Princesse Murat. 1810

MADAME: It is not possible for me fully to express my sensations after parting from you last night at the palace; my respect for my friend vour husband, my boundless devotion to my Emperor, your brother, are powerless to prevent the declaration of my passion. Do what you will with me; my heart, my soul, my military career itself, are yours to command. If you will do me the great honor of accepting these magnificent pearls, formerly the property of the old Queen of Spain, I shall be yet more humbly your adoring.

Paris

D'ABR ANTES

Alfred de Musset to his First Love. 1829

MADEMOISELLE: Do not for an instant believe that I would have the temerity to tell you of her whom I dare to love; no, not for an empire would I name her to you. Let us declare to all the world that I adore her, that she is blonde as wheat, and beautiful—but how beautiful! As her fantasy' demands, so I perform; if she desires my death, so be it. My soul is torn for all eternity by the anguish of her indifference. But no; I love her too profoundly to name her to you. I dare to love her; let this suffice, with the simple gift of a pair of turtledoves, and the assurance that I ask no greater bliss than the privilege of perishing for her sake.

Paris

ALFRED

Frank to Florrie. 1900

ANGEL: I suppose you know that I am heartbroken at your having left without saying a word to me. Imagine me, last night after leaving Mrs. Astor's cotillion (when Bertie Vanderbilt had broken the news to me of your perfidious engagement to another), tossing on my couch of pain. This morning I crept into the Five and Ten Cent Store, and, through eyes dim with tears, selected this refined little tea cozy, which I hope may not only' contribute its mite of coziness to your new home, but may' also serve as provocation for many a delightful "cozerie". Seriously, I am awfully happy to hear the news. How art thou? When you are in New York again, do not forget your old boy-friend and playmate of many summers. Ever thine,

New York

FRANK

Elinor Wylie

Peter to Rosemary Ann. 1923

OLD Thing: Do not flatter yourself that I should have remembered your birthday, if you hadn't rudely reminded me of it. My knowledge of your mercenary nature makes me realize that I must present you with something frightfully good; no mere airy trifle, like a diamond wrist-watch or a case of champagne. The problem ruined the quiet slumber I had anticipated at the Club de Quarante last night, while you tangoed with your South American friend. But the result of my suffering is your gain. Am I or am I not your excellent good egg to be giving you—with many high hopes for the improvement of your little mind—a year's subscription to Vanity Fair?

Chicago

PETER