Until expert help arrives, we are free to speculate
Posted by Barry on June 14, 1998 at 19:08:49:
In response to You're not the only one puzzled. I've wondered that myself., written by Gayle on June 13, 1998 at 12:35:01
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] I was referring to the convention in some of the letters in her novels -- for example the letters by Mr Gardiner to Mr Bennet in Chapter 49 and towards the end of Chapter 50 of P & P, to finish with the words "Your's, &c." -- was that an actual letter writing convention at the time, or merely Jane Austen's way of shortening Sincerely? In other letters, such as Mrs Gardiner's to Lizzy in Chapter 52, the letter ends with "Your's, Sincerely."
] I hope someone knows the answer and will share it with us. I've often wondered about that as I try to understand the customs of the time. Gayle
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Gayle,I am going to assume, until someone authoritatively tells me otherwise, that the use of "etc." is just Jane Austen shorthand for "I remain your faithful and humble...," or something to that effect, and that, in those formal times, nobody actually would end letters with &c. or similar shorthand. I guess like many things in her books, there was no reason to be explicit as to mores of the time that all were then familiar with. It is interesting to try to reconstruct things, though. Thanks for your note; I know that it is the smallest of points, but it has puzzled me nonetheless. --Barry
- another small point to ponder Gayle 22:42:28 6/14/98
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- -----shire Barry 17:52:28 6/22/98
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- Why _____shire? Stolzi 09:37:19 6/15/98
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- Thanks! This sheds some light on the subject. (nfm) Gayle 22:51:23 6/15/98
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- Thanks! This sheds some light on the subject. (nfm) Gayle 22:51:23 6/15/98
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- -----shire Barry 17:52:28 6/22/98
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