I purchased this--dated 1831, Hartland, Vermont-- from a favorite rare book seller in Maine, the source of many manuscript treasures. It is the circular writing at bottom right here that made this impossible for me to walk away from--I can't remember if and when I've seen another example along these lines, and just find it fascinating and magical, too, writing in circles, a little world of words. And it seems to me it is there, in this small sphere of tiny round and round writing, that our R.F. Burham reveals his love for Miss A. Etsy; it's a bit hard to completely decipher, but "Oh, love" is clear, and the comparison of that love to the strength of steel, and mention of bolts of steel as well, and links combined...though looks to me as if it in ends with a sense of being unrequited: "cruel love chains the mind" ?? The larger poem is a hymn, " Laden with Guilt and Full of Fears," by Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748) ending with Here consecrated water flows / To quench my thirst of sin; Here the fair tree of knowledge grows, / Nor danger dwells therein..
5" x 5". Ink on wove. Some staining to the paper as evident, and a few tears to right edge. I had hoped this would prompt me to do a deep dive into the history of circular writing, but I have not managed to do that yet, and on first pass there does not seem to be a lot immediately out there as reference.
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