{ In Depth Prompts }

Letter writing was a very important element of daily life and was an essential skill for many of the upper class, particularly those who moved in political spheres. Thomas considered letters to be an artform, an act of prolonged discourse he took especial delight in. 

Crafting the perfect rejoiners, formulating iron clad arguments and seeing them form in the cutting contrast of ink on paper was an absolute delight to him and one of his favorite elements of maintaining relationships. He also took a particular thrill in the crafting of codes, and the cleverness necessary to deliver compliments that were in truth criticisms. 

This was something he deeply enjoyed and it took a great deal of thinking – though there were also times when he certainly abused the system, or proved himself ridiculous through it. 

Imagine, paying a man to carry a letter by horseback, sealed solemnly by the Hamilton crest, and knowing that the sight of it will stir forth all the emotions of a prior argument, the anticipation of a night spent turning over the words and crafting the best disassembly. 

Knowing that the recipient will have expectations, that they will be prepared for something of substance and will be stirred by their emotions on their previous dealings – and having all this forethought to send forth nothing more than a single, solitary word, accompanied by his full signature and titles taking up the majority of the page – and you will have, my dear, the HEIGHT of Thomas Hamilton’s humor and pettiness as a lord.