Elizabeth Carter, 1717-1806 An Edition of Some Unpublished Letters

This edition includes 111 letters and a brief note. Written by Miss Carter, they are dated from 23 October 1737, when she was a young woman in her twentieth year, to 30 May 1804, less than two years before her death on 19 February 1806. They have not been published before and are a very small portion of the thousands of letters that she sent and received. Part of their value lies in the fact that they provide a better understanding of the learned, religious person whom her nephew, Montagu Pennington, wished to portray in his Memoirs of Miss Carter. They show, as well, how generous and dependable a friend she was; how faithful in keeping contact; how witty and lighthearted she could be; and how serious. For each friend and correspondent Miss Carter uses a distinct tone. The contents of her letters are tailored to meet the character, the interests, the concerns, the situation and style of life of the person to whom she is writing; and each letter reflects the particular relationships between Miss Carter and her correspondent.