In today’s newspapers, the classifieds are found near the back, full of both the offering and desire for work, belongings and love. However, in The Times during the Victorian Era, the classifieds were considered advertisements and could easily be found on the front page, immediately after the announcements of marriages, births and deaths. In this section, individuals searched for lost family and friends, misplaced or stolen belongings; they pleaded for help or money, and declared their love and affection in the public arena of the newspaper. These advertisements take up only a few lines of print. It is a place where names are usually replaced by initials or code and messages are made simple and concise. I am often mystified by how the reader could ever be sure the message they were reading was actually intended for them. Below are a few advertisements that have such anonymity and whimsy that I can’t help but imagine that hundreds of young women read these words and hoped and dreamed that the message was intended for them and no one else. I cannot help but be a romantic when I read these postings:
The Times Thursday, Sep 18, 1879; pg. 1; Issue 29676; col B
This posting reads: W. to J. – My very true and loving queen. You know how I worship you and feel for you. Keep a good heart; things at their worst must mend. Anxious for news. Look Oct. 1st.
Sadly, there was nothing posted on Oct. 1st, and nothing on the 2nd or 3rd. I would like to imagine that those things that were “at their worst” did indeed mend, and that J.- continued to be W.-‘s true and loving queen for their whole lives through.
The Times Saturday, Aug 31, 1867; pg. 1; Issue 25904; col B
This advertisement reads: MY STAR of HOPE WANES to WHITE. News that you are better would revive its glow. – B.
Oh, to be the one to revive the glow of a waning star!
The Times Wednesday, Apr 06, 1859; pg. 1; Issue 23273; col B
This reads: H.N.R. – I will not tempt you. I implicitly believe and respect you. Trust me also. I shall never change. God bless you. Good bye.
When I read this, I see a man making his last effort to communicate with the woman he has fallen in love with, even though she is committed to another. He will leave, the love will fade, and all that remains are these words.
Just a few lines and so many stories can unfold. Who were these individuals who wrote these words and sought to communicate so publicly and yet so anonymously?
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