A fawning dedication
Nov. 20th, 2022 10:37 pmI already posted this to
cahn's salon, so I figured, why not share it here as well, since I went to the trouble of typing it up... This is a great example of the 18th century fawning dedication, discovered while researching fencing for a fic. Though with rather more, um, typographical embellishments than most.
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To the Right Honourable,
WILLIAM
Earl Mariſchal,
Lord Keith and Altrie, Great Mariſchal of the Kingdom of Scotland, and Heretable Keeper of the Regalia of That Kingdom, etc.
MY LORD,
HAVING of late Diſcovered the Short and Eaſy Method of Fencing, contained in the following Sheets, and which I am perſuaded, will be found by Practice, to be as Uſeful as it is New; I was not long a making Choice of your Lordſhip, as the Perſon to whom I ought in Juſtice to offer It.
For not to mention, at preſent, your Lordſhip’s many Perſonal Endowments, which I the more willingly forebear, leſt I should be thought too much interested therein, not only upon account of that Great and Juſt eſteem, which I have always had for your Lordſhip, but alſo (and which is indeed my greateſt Honour) with reſpect to my near Concern in, and Relation to, your Lordſhip's most Ancient and Noble Family. [...]
That therefore the moſt Noble and Ancient Family of the KEITHS may be Preſerved and Flouriſh, not only for Seven Hundred, but Seventy times Seven Hundred Years; nay even to the CONSUMMATION of all Things, is the most ſincere Wish, and hearty and fervent Deſire of,
My Lord,
your Lordſhips
Obedient and moſt
Humble Servant,
Will. Hope.
***
As you can see, Hope has taken full advantage of the possibilities of Capitalization, ALLCAPS, and italics. You can't see it, because there are limits to my efforts, but he has also made artistic use of changing font size and variation in indents. Alas that he has not discovered the bold style and the font change.
***
To the Right Honourable,
WILLIAM
Earl Mariſchal,
Lord Keith and Altrie, Great Mariſchal of the Kingdom of Scotland, and Heretable Keeper of the Regalia of That Kingdom, etc.
MY LORD,
HAVING of late Diſcovered the Short and Eaſy Method of Fencing, contained in the following Sheets, and which I am perſuaded, will be found by Practice, to be as Uſeful as it is New; I was not long a making Choice of your Lordſhip, as the Perſon to whom I ought in Juſtice to offer It.
For not to mention, at preſent, your Lordſhip’s many Perſonal Endowments, which I the more willingly forebear, leſt I should be thought too much interested therein, not only upon account of that Great and Juſt eſteem, which I have always had for your Lordſhip, but alſo (and which is indeed my greateſt Honour) with reſpect to my near Concern in, and Relation to, your Lordſhip's most Ancient and Noble Family. [...]
That therefore the moſt Noble and Ancient Family of the KEITHS may be Preſerved and Flouriſh, not only for Seven Hundred, but Seventy times Seven Hundred Years; nay even to the CONSUMMATION of all Things, is the most ſincere Wish, and hearty and fervent Deſire of,
My Lord,
your Lordſhips
Obedient and moſt
Humble Servant,
Will. Hope.
***
As you can see, Hope has taken full advantage of the possibilities of Capitalization, ALLCAPS, and italics. You can't see it, because there are limits to my efforts, but he has also made artistic use of changing font size and variation in indents. Alas that he has not discovered the bold style and the font change.