Have you noticed how beautiful the writing style was of many people who lived during the 1800's?

Question

Many times on historical TV programs, letters written during that period are read, and I am always amazed at the style and "grace" of the writing. I wish I could write like that, and I bet you do too! What can we do to recapture that beautiful style? I know that the modern dot com age has caused many people, especially young people, to
"murder" the written English language. I do not represent myself as any sort of expert, but I can recognize great writing when I see it. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

I think their handwriting was very beautiful. The reason I believe that this is so is because they spent so much time in their studies (especially the women as they were not allowed to go to school, so many of them practiced reading, writing, scripture, etc at home). To them presentation was very important. They did not have television or movies to tarnish certain images of what things should be like. They were a lot more wholesome in that day, and took pride in a lot more things, including their handwriting. I wish today's world could be more as it was in the 1800's

Answer 2

Some of it was beautiful, but a lot of it IMO was also lofty, melodramatic, verbose, and self-indulgent. But I'm an editor of sorts and well-versed in journalism, that teaches us that "brevity is the soul of wit", meaning conciseness illustrates a sharp mind.

I tried getting through "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" and couldn't wade through the flowery, embellished wordage and occasional dramatic exclamation. That novel could have been told more in a third of the space,if not less.

Answer 3

Oh, yes; many thoughts.

Some of us still write beautifully because, like you, we love the written word.

A good ink pen is almost impossible to find today.

Those of us in my age group were taught the art of letters. We practiced and learned how to form beautiful cursive letters. These days if you mention cursive writing to young students they suspect that cursive writing has something to do with cussing!

The art of writing letters is not dead. It is, however, largely neglected.

Answer 4

I wonder if part of it wasn't the cool pens they had. Really, handwriting isn't taught in schools. OK, I know they teach how to make the letters, but they don't teach technique...paper at an angle, move the arm not the hand, etc.

Answer 5

We don't have to go back that far. As late as the 1970s school children were taught penmanship.