Friday, 9 December 2011

Things found in books; No work today!

Handwritten note found in Tarka the Otter c1932;


Dear Madam,
I am sorry I cannot come for you today my Father is ill and I cannot leave him alone, but if I can help you I could do your laundry each week as I used to do for Captain Patchett.
Hoping I haven’t put you out.
I am yours truly,
Dorothy Denyer





I can imagine someone cycling to madam's house to deliver the letter, or one of Dorothy’s children (assuming she had children) running to put it through the door.


Now fast forward 80 years and imagine someone sending a similar message...

Today’s message would probably be sent by telephone, text or email. I wonder if it would be quite so polite or well written - what do you think? 




Tarka the otter is now sold, thank you for your interest.

Thanks for calling in!
at 09:00

10 comments:

  1. Claudine G9 December 2011 at 11:56

    I love receiving well-written and polite emails. That was a lovely letter! We've only changed the method of delivery. Hopefully we can retain the tone in our emails ...

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  2. Jess10 December 2011 at 03:35

    What a great letter! I love to get letters or cards in the mail. My mom always told me: You won't get mail unless you send mail. So true! I try to send a lot of cards and letters. I think emails are nice- but there really is something about a handwritten note. I keep them and reread them from time to time. I don't really go back and reread my emails. Life sure is different now!

    ~Jess

    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

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  3. Megan10 December 2011 at 08:14

    I certainly don't think it would be as polite! I think over the years we've lost the charm of simple letter writing and everything has become so rushed! How lovely it would be to receive little hand-written notes every now and then. Great post!

    Megan @ Storybook Love Affair

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  4. barbaraannefisher10 December 2011 at 16:05

    That’s a really interesting point of view. It’s certainly easier to send an email and I do it all the time, but I do miss getting letters in the post.

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  5. barbaraannefisher10 December 2011 at 16:09

    I think you just hit the nail on the head - everything is so rushed and email is so quick and easy that most of us use it. I have one 'long distance' friend who always encloses a letter in her Christmas card and I look forward to it every year.

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  6. barbaraannefisher10 December 2011 at 16:15

    I think your mom is very wise and you should go on sending cards and letters – I’m sure the recipients appreciate them. I tend to print emails from friends so that I can keep them and read ‘properly’ when time permits – I tend to skim and reply immediately and often miss the important bits!

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  7. DM10 December 2011 at 19:04

    There is a personal touch to handwritten that technology still can't duplicate.

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  8. barbaraannefisher10 December 2011 at 20:48

    Absolutely.

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  9. Sophie Gonzales13 December 2011 at 23:11

    Even though I love technology, I miss recieving 'snail mail'! What a charming find this letter was. Thanks for sharing it! :)

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  10. barbaraannefisher14 December 2011 at 10:37

    Happy to share.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx

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