News

Victorian era love letters published online for Valentine’s Day | UK News


Several Victorian love letters written by the parents of a former prime minister are being posted online on Valentine’s Day.

The letters were written in 1843 by James Maitland Balfour, then MP for Haddington in East Lothian, and his future bride, Lady Blanche Cecil, daughter of the Marquess of Salisbury.

Their eldest son, Arthur Balfour, would become prime minister from 1902 to 1905.

The letters were among the papers purchased by National Records for the national archives last year Scotland (NRS).

Archivist Veronica Schreuder said: “History has recorded the union of these two influential families, but these private letters show us a young couple in love, wishing they would get along. with each other’s families. Today we put the excerpts online so that everyone in the know can read them for themselves.”

A letter dated July 15, 1843 – a month before the couple’s wedding.

The letters were written in 1843 by James Maitland Balfour and Lady Blanche Cecil, whose eldest son Arthur would become prime minister.  Photo: Scottish National Record
Image:
One of the love letters. Photo: Scottish National Record

Mr. Balfour proposed and she accepted, which sparked a flurry of excited letters among family members. There were congratulations from his parents, brother-in-law and even her 9-year-old brother.

Mr. Balfour wrote: “My dearest Lady Blanche, I cannot leave town without the opportunity to see you again for many months without doing what makes me either the happiest or the most miserable of all the people. man.

“Miss Blanche, I love you dearly and how happy I would be if I could only hope that love was reciprocated.”

Mr Balfour also said of his family’s excitement: “I’m sure you’ll be delighted to see how excited they are at the thought of having a sister and how much they look forward to knowing and liking you. “

Read more:
Animal shelter gives donors the chance to write their ex’s name in their cat’s litter box for Valentine’s Day
Indian government withdraws call to hug cows on Valentine’s Day after criticism

Ms Schreuder said: “In a sense their story was a sad one as James Balfour died just 13 years later at the age of 36 from tuberculosis. [tuberculosis] but it was also a successful marriage.

“They had eight children: three daughters and five sons, all of whom would lead influential lives. Their eldest son, Arthur, followed in his uncle’s footsteps to become prime minister in 1902. “

MR. ARTHUR BALFOUR ON THE ROAD TO THE COMMUNITY HOUSE AGAINST RULE PROJECT 1912.
Image:
Arthur Balfour on his way to the House of Commons in 1912

The couple were married at Lady Blanche’s family home, Hatfield House, in Hertfordshire, aged 23 and 18.

The Duke of Wellington, then leader of the House of Lords, was among the guests and he let them use the property on his estate for their honeymoon.

Undated handout photo released by National Records of Scotland of the Balfour family home in Whittinghame, East Lothian.  A collection of love letters from the parents of former Prime Minister Arthur Balfour is being published online by the NRS on Valentine's Day.  Letters from 1843 between James Maitland Balfour, the MP for Haddington, his wife Lady Blanche Cecil and their relatives are some of the papers purchased by the NRS for the national archives last year.
Image:
Balfour family home in Whittingehame, East Lothian. Photo: Scottish National Record

The couple went on to have a family home in Whittingehame, East Lothian, and an estate at Strathconon in the Highlands.

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button