Sir, – Angela MacNamara’s love affair with the fountain pen and her concern at the demise of the handwritten letter are understandable and many of us can empathise with her (December 27th). Those of us who still use a fountain pen are considered Neanderthal and, up to a point, this calumny is justified. This is not a recent development. Some 40 years ago, I caused a level of consternation with the invigilators when I asked for some blotting paper as I was about to sit my university finals.
Unfortunately there is little room in today’s fast-moving society for the handwritten missive. The Parker pen, or the Bic pen for that matter, cannot compete with the speed, accuracy and convenience of the internet. Whatever did happen to that phrase “Answers on a postcard please”? These days communicating with reality TV programmes, game shows and other opinion-gathering agencies is the simple process of pushing a red button or phoning a dedicated number.
Sadly, the handwritten letter, and one written with a fountain pen, is fast becoming an endangered species. Nothing can elevate the human spirit more, or beat the pleasure of the tactile feeling of opening an envelope to share in the thoughts of others. A truly uplifting experience. – Yours, etc,