A Book of Love-Letters.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 73

A Book of Love-Let ters.

In a -volume entitled " The Frettiesfc Ldv«-Letters," published by Leon Vameiy Paris, Mdtne. Annie de Pene has gathered typical Examples of the tender correspondence of great statesmen, famous soldiers, queens, princes, musicians and others. Those letters date from, various centuries, and were itrritten in different lan- l guages. None. is a literary masterpiece ;| ' they are not remarkable for their harmonious periods, their ' delicate "nuances," or their impeccable style, but all ara vibrating with life. . Here are some extraots: — • Richard Wagner to Mathilda WesendoukZurich, 1858. Surely you don't', expect me not to reply, to your wonderful and splendid letter. Or is it that I should give up the right to- answer, owing to ,the supreme loftiness of 'your own words? But how would F ' answer you, except in, a manner worthy, ' of you? ' • : Never, during my whole life, had I', had feelings so intense and terrible as ! those I have Jiad during the past few J months.. The world was empty before I1)I 1 ) knew you. . . I shall not visit you { often; I feel I must only see you when/ I shaft be calm, In the tvast I have coma to you with sorrows in x»y heart, andf instead of being a :ource of joy to you,- i I have caused you many pains. This must cease. If you. do not see me for a' long • time, then — pray for me, secretly.; For then you will know that I suffer!' But If I come,' then" be sure that I shall 1 bring to you the 'best that is in me, and* give you a. gift that I only could offer, I« * who have suffered so much — and volun- . tarily . You have been my all in all. To you I owe the .only thing in this world wliich to me is still worthy of gratitude and l interest. - My very task -as an artist hadbecome" painful. . ,'. . Suddenly % woman ,_appeajed, Hesitatingly mid timid. wfio with sublime courage threw herself in the Ocean "of" Sorrow and told me, "I» love you." You gave yourself to death in order to . give me li£e. - Since then, my task has been .easy. AU_ bitterness has vanished. Whatever Happens, I know that the light of ' your love will never go oat. Youy^ love is^my supreme treasure; without it my life" would hay« jj.o nieahihg. Thanks, my loving angel ' I have felt intensely, these days, howi much I depend upon yqu. To you I owe the serenity of my soul. All that comes from you "is a lesson. -My one ambition '' is-' to be • eqpal> to -raise myself to your level! Luci-en Bonaparte (brother of Napoleon) to Mme. Recamier (the most beautiful woman of her days). Venice, July 27 r 1799. Romeo is writing to yon, Juliet. If you refuse to read this note you will be more cruel still than your, parents, wljo. s e quarrels, have at last subsided. A few Hays ago t only knew you through your fame. %• had seen you sometimes in a temple '6r at a festival. I knew you were "the most beautiful"; all lips sang your praises, but those praises and your charm had struck me without fascinating me. .' . .' And- now there is peace in our families, but there is trouble in my h«art. I have seen you again. Love seemed to smile upon me. We were sitting on the same circular bench, alone, and I thought I heard a- eigh of love issuing from your 'bosom. It was but a vain illusion. I know it now. I have^ seen Indifference, _with_ her Jjuiet brow, seated , between us two. There was passion in my words, but you were jesting. O Juliet ! Life without love is only, slumber. The niost beautiful woman should J?e sensitive. Happy the mortal who .should become the irjend of youi; heart. . . ; — Gambetta to Miue. L: L. . .. — ■ Beloved On*, — We feel alike ; our sould ar-e but one, and JL quaff 'this divine cup of -love — love such as -at all -tinSte the •noblest jninde of huma-nity have craved ftfr. Of aJU women jrou were the only, one. who could achieve this miracle : the " communion " of intelligences. Our lov< is to me an infinite theme for meditation. and inner joys. . To. 'yon, and to you only, I owe the Happiness of having discovered that superior and dazzling world which so many great hearts have sought in vain. ■ I adore you like a pure and heavenlx snirifc*

— From the Mandarin's Wife — Letter From Tchang-Tsi to X.— My Lord, — You know I have a husband, and yet you have sent me two brilliant pearls. My eyes were dazzled, my mind perturbed, my heart moved ; and for a moment I fastened the pearls on my gown of crimson silk. My family is -one of those whose standards fly near the imperial gardens, and my husband holds the Gilded Lance in the Palace of Ming-Kouang. I doubt not that the feelings of your highness are pure and as lofty as the sun itself and the moon; but I remain faithful to tbe man with whom I have sworn to live, and to die. I return- to your highness your brilliant pearls, and two "tears of regret at your action are trembling in my eyes. — London Mail.