Broadside entitled 'Love Letter'

Commentary

This sheet begins: 'Hast thou no pity for my woes? / Dost thou at me turn up thy nose? / I'll make my declaration first, / So read straight forward and be curst'. This sheet was published by Menzies of the Lawnmarket, Edinburgh.

This topic, anonymous love letters and 'Dear Johns', seems to have been a popular broadside topic, although the appeal of this topic is perhaps a little more obscure to modern readers! Duncan Menzies the Printer is known to have worked out of the Lawnmarket between 1812 and 1836. Previous to this he is thought to have worked with Robert Menzies, a partner or relative.

Broadsides, cheap and accessible, were often used as moral forums with 'lessons of life' included in the narrative. Broadside authors tended to see themselves as moral guardians and teachers in society. As such, publishers often disseminated 'educational' texts outlining the social and personal consequences of undisciplined or immoral behaviour.

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