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Post by HMS Lydia on Jun 24, 2014 23:02:22 GMT
....I saw them. In the British Library. As in, I physically ordered them from stacks and was able to inspect them in the Manuscript room. I had no idea my clearance for medieval manuscripts because of my Paleography course extended to that kind of document. I am still a bit shaky because I ordered them on a whim just to see if I could and forty minutes later I am sitting down looking at the letter with which he dismissed Lady Nelson. And I was like, wow.
Lydia
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Post by LadyJamers on Jun 24, 2014 23:03:47 GMT
Wow, indeed! See if you can sneak a picture with your phone.
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Post by HMS Lydia on Jun 24, 2014 23:28:49 GMT
Sadly that is super-forbidden, which I can completely understand because they need to regulate access to the manuscripts. BUT I can give you my super accurate paleographical notes!
Letter:
from Horatio Nelson to Lady Nelson 11th March 1800 (their wedding anniversary, bastard). 2 sheets.
1) four inches by four and a half, folded as envelope. Addressed to Lady Nelson,with date and faded red wax sigil with arms. Interestingly, the sheet is burnt all along the upper left hand corner,like someone started burning it and thought better of it. The address is in black ink, written in Nelson's post-amputation writing, with bigh scrawly letters.
2) four inches by four and a half. The greater part of the letter is missing and has been repaired with a blank piece of different paper. The presence of the descenders of the letters of the last line before the break shows it has been neatly cut. the surviving text says, in Nelson's hand (his line breaks):
"or am left in the Baltic, living I have done all in my power for you, and if dead you will find I have done the same. Herefore my only wish is to be left to myself and writing you every (?)lettings(?). Behind that I am Your affectionate Nelson&Bronte"
To which in her hand Lady Nelson added (line breaks hers) "This is my lord Nelson's letter of dismissal which so astonished me that I immediately sent it to Mr Maurice Nelson who was sincerely attached to me for his advice, he deind me not to take the least notice of it as his brother seemed to have forgot himself.'
It really saddened me, and made me wonder what was in the body of the letter that made her want to cut it, perhaps to preserve his good name.
Lydia
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HMSCody
Lieutenant
Happy to be of service, as ever.
Posts: 427
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Post by HMSCody on Jun 25, 2014 2:49:40 GMT
Most people, when indulging a whim, order a second drink, buy a dress, or go see a movie.
Then there's our Lydia, acting on a purely Horatian whim, snapping her fingers, purring "Garcon! Bring me the letters of Horatio Nelson, for my amusement." And getting them.
Oh how I ardently admire and envy you!!
HMSCody
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Post by HMS Lydia on Jun 25, 2014 3:08:50 GMT
Hahahw, you are too kind Cody! That makes me sound a lot more sophisticated than what happened ('ooooh, lemme try and see if I can press request - WHAT DO YOU MEAN REQUEST SUCCESSFULLY SENT ITEM READY FOR COLLECTION?) I think the librarian was totally onto me and could tell I had no serious academic excuse. It made me a bit sad though. The folder also had the Admiralty letter informing Lady Nelson of her husband's death, and the survival of the enveloped and seal means you can see what they looked like when she picked them up and opened them and her life crumbled. Lydia
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Post by Sharpiefan on Jun 25, 2014 14:07:03 GMT
Most people, when indulging a whim, order a second drink, buy a dress, or go see a movie.
Then there's our Lydia, acting on a purely Horatian whim, snapping her fingers, purring "Garcon! Bring me the letters of Horatio Nelson, for my amusement." And getting them.
Oh how I ardently admire and envy you!!
HMSCody Or go and register for a reader's ticket for the Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum (as Sharpie did). GO LYDIA! I know the feeling when looking down at something signed by The Man Himself (though the letters... SQUEE!). SF
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HMSCody
Lieutenant
Happy to be of service, as ever.
Posts: 427
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Post by HMSCody on Jun 25, 2014 17:39:09 GMT
I am green, green, GREEN!!
HMSCody
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