Transcription
J.W.S. Coo
Lower Farm House
Hambledon
Surrey GU8 4HE
Engeland
Amsterdam, 6th october 1997.
Dear Stuart,
Letter writing is a prerogative of the mortals denied to the Gods This letter is a token of life from the mortal Adriaan DD. Both mortals Vera and Adriaan are delighted to receive you in Amsterdam on 22nd till 24th October.
Lest it becomes a dreary letter, decide to cite a poem:
"Talk to me of Nature's charming ease
by which alone a women ought to please.
Nature shoots forth, rank weeds as well as flowers
and oft the nettle o'er the lily towers.
The buxom lass whom you may always see
so mighty nat;ral and so mighty free.
A vulgar Bosom may with love inspire,
but art must from the woman I admire:
Art which usurps not beauteous nature's place
but adds to nature dignity and grace."
James Boswell (1740-1795)
James Boswell studied in Utrecht from 1763 to 1764 and met the noble lady Isabella A.E. van Tuyll van Serooskerken (1740-1805), also known to Bella van Zuylen. He expressed his feelings for her in the above poem, written on July 9, 1764. The same James Boswell coined the phrase: “I should not live more than I can record… There is a waste of good if it cannot be preserved.
Thoughts are invisible and fleeting and yet the thought process distinguishes one from another and defines the uniqueness of each person. I cannot help thinking that the characteristics of thoughts are identical to the characteristics of the soul.
The two gentlemen who dogmatized Christianity, namely Augustine (354 AD-430) and Thomas Aquinas (±1225-1274), noted that the soul consists of an immaterial and volatile substance and at the same time constitutes 'Substantia Essentialia'. Considering the above statement, I come to the conclusion: the more you think, the more soul you possess. It is also true that the written letter is the end product of the thought process. So the more letters you write to me, the more soul I attribute to you!! Your immortality is preserved in your written letters. James Boswell; knew it.
Changing the topic.
I attach an extract from the International Herald Tribnune which states that Britain as a county is a myth that never existed before the Union Act of 1707. It is believed that the creation of Holland, a federation of provinces and cities, came about through the 'Treaty of Utrecht' in 1579 AD. Its objective was to act unitedly against the King of Spain and it prohibited the signatories from separately entering into peace negotiations with Spain. It is good to know that the Dutch state as a nation is 128 years older than Great Britain.
Now I'm getting to the point where I can't keep up this high-level writing and the rest will be a very ordinary letter.
First of all, I assume that you would like to stay informed about my health situation? The answer is that it keeps getting better. The wound becomes smaller and smaller. We look forward to your visit. From a health point of view we are suitable to receive you!!
Directions: skipped ;ADD 2027
It is practical to have sufficient Dutch coins with you when you enter Amsterdam by car. And secondly: don't exceed the speed limits in the Netherlands these days,
I hope you are well and we counting the nights before you arrive.
Please convey our love to Ursula and assure her that we will be less philosophical during your stay in Amsterdam. Love from Vera, Adriaan
Bella van Zuylen (
