Homework, 6th November, 2017

Read the 19th Century letter and answer the questions that follow. 

This is due tomorrow (Tuesday, 7th November)

3^rd March, 1875

My dearest Horatio,

It is my sincere hope that this letter finds you in robust health, or at least, as robust as can be expected given the latest outbreak of influenza. I do hope your family has not been ravaged to the extent that many have in recent months; I don’t doubt the doctors are doing all they can, but there always comes a point where their expertise and ability with remedies and potions must surrender to the iron will of God Himself, for better or for worse.  

For my own part, I am well, as are Madelaine and the children. Maximilian is now two and Rebecca five, and they do so fill my heart with joy with the merest smile or salutation. That said, it is true what they say about the terrible twos: despite his generally delightful demeanour, little Max, when in the right frame of mind, could try the patience of even the most devout of saints. I steady my hand with the thought that it is an affliction and therefore he cannot be held accountable for his own actions.

But enough of such trivialities. The true purpose of this correspondence is to implore you and your family to grace Madelaine and myself with the pleasure of your company this summer at Hamilton House. Please do not even countenance the notion that it might, in any way, be an inconvenience as we so love having company and it feels like an eternity since we last saw you, which, I’m sure you will agree, is far too long by anyone’s reckoning.

It is therefore with great anticipation that I await your reply, which I am sure, will be in the affirmative.

Yours ever,

Fabian

Questions

1. What is missing from the top of the letter?

2. What might have caused Horatio to be in less than robust health?

3. What verb does Fabian use in the first paragraph to describe families being affected by influenza?

4. Which literary technique could this be an example of?

5. What evidence is there in the letter that Fabian might be religious?

6. Which phrase in the letter means the same as ‘he can be very annoying sometimes’?

7. Based on how it used in the letter, what do you think the word ‘affliction’ means?

8. What would be a more informal way of saying ‘implore you and your family to grace Madelaine and myself with the pleasure of your company this summer at Hamilton House’?

9. Based on how it is used in the letter, what do you think the word ‘countenance’ means?

10. Does Fabian think Horatio will accept the invitation? How can we tell that this is the case?