18th-Century Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 35

[cahn]

In the previous post Charles II found AITA:

Look, I, m, believe in live and let live. (And in not going on my travels again. Had enough of that to last a life time.) Why can't everyone else around me be more chill? Instead, my wife refuses to employ my girlfriend, my girlfriend won't budge and accept another office, my brother is set on a course to piss off everyone (he WILL go on his travels again), and my oldest kid shows signs of wanting my job which is just not on, sorry to say. And don't get me started about Mom (thank God she's living abroad). What am I doing wrong? AITA?

Comments

Re: Colonel John O'Sullivan's memoirs

[luzula]

Late reply: glad you enjoyed the look at colloquial 18th c language, as well as the slashiness! : D

Since you like gossip: there's clearly a story about O'Sullivan and his wife. He married a Louise Fitzgerald in 1749, about whom James Edgar (James III's secretary) writes in a gossipy and judgemental letter: Chevalier O'Sulivan has not writ to me on his marriage. If his Bride had been younger, he would probably have done it. I much doubt if I could have brought myself to make such a choice. I hope he will find his account in it and that it will turn much to his advantage.

Which I interpret as his wife being, in Edgar's eyes, old and ugly, but she had money? She died in 1760, at which point O'Sullivan was also ill, and sends word in a letter to Edgar that He desires me likewise to let you know that ye loss he has sustain'd in his Lady's death was not only that of faithfull friend and compagnon, why was ye happiness of his life, but that he also lost 8000 livres p. annum [...].

I hope they actually were happy together...

Re: Colonel John O'Sullivan's memoirs

[cahn]

Heeeee, I do like gossip, thank you!

Heh, I'm also hoping that this is Edgar being judgmental and that they were happy together!