Conventional Correspondence : Epistolary Culture of the Dutch Elite, 1770-1850

Egodocuments are cherished because of the view they supposedly provide into the innermost feelings of individuals in past and present. Recent research, however, has shown the complexity of genres like autobiographies, diaries and letters. Building on critical and historical research into autobiographical writing, this book describes epistolary practices of the Dutch elite in the period 1770-1850. Analysing how cultural ideals of sincerity, individuality and naturalness influenced the style and contents of letters, the book also addresses the functions of letter writing in family life, like the formation of an adolescent identity and the relationship between parents and children. Correspondence was a vital means by which class and gender identities were performed and the appropriate emotions were shaped. Conventional Correspondence......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 List of Figures......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 Introduction......Page 26 Etiquette books and letter-writing manuals as a source......Page 27 Epistolary theory......Page 31 Epistolary theory in practice......Page 41 Famous letter-writers as models......Page 52 Conclusion......Page 60 Introduction......Page 64 Writing materials and a place to write......Page 65 Post......Page 71 Languages......Page 76 Salutation, signature and postscript......Page 86 ‘Le stile c’est l’homme’ – style......Page 93 Themes and taboos......Page 100 Receiving a letter......Page 116 Conclusion......Page 118 Introduction......Page 122 Learning to write letters......Page 124 Confidentiality, naturalness and individuality......Page 134 Character building......Page 149 Conclusion......Page 165 Introduction......Page 167 From schoolboy to student......Page 169 Adolescents’ letters and gender......Page 187 Engagement......Page 199 Conclusion......Page 220 Introduction......Page 222 Means of communication and customs......Page 223 The content of ceremonial letters......Page 234 The function of ceremonial correspondence......Page 248 Cult of sincerity......Page 252 Conclusion......Page 259 Conclusion......Page 261 Appendices......Page 268 Bibliography......Page 276 Index......Page 288 Describing the epistolary practices of the Dutch elite in the period 1770-1850, this book shows how cultural ideals of sincerity, individuality and naturalness influenced the style and contents of letters and argues for the vital importance of correspondence to the performance of class, gender and familial identities. By Willemijn Ruberg ; Translated By Maria Sherwood-smith. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Translated From The Dutch.