1889 diary p26 concert artistes

[Greensleeves]

I was just going to post that I thought the word was 'epithet' rather than 'epistle' but I see Deskman has beaten me to it!   Never mind, I shall post anyway, having spent a few minutes thinking about the word.   

[JenB]

Do you think the Do fail could be Au fait?

No, I still think its do fail. I think he's saying '.... try to get little Miss Hyde but if we do fail (i.e. if we fail to get little Miss Hyde) we shall do very well with Miss Madeline Wood...........'

[Deskman]

Thanks JenB, lizdb and Greensleves,

If it is epithet than I'm really very unimpressed by the young man's expression of it.

I am prepared to take the reading as Do fail  - I have little confidence in other options.

However the D is weird for the writer. he does not use u.c. when not needed and his u.c. Ds are distinctive as seen in the examples here
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=787715.msg6431422#msg6431422

Thanks again. Can you make a stab at the other fragments?

[Gadget]

I'm starting to thing that the diarist is a little bit of a poseur by his odd phrasing, and selection of particlular words, etc. It's as if he wants the diary to be read and is showing off so readers might, in the future, be impressed.

Just my take on it 

[JenB]

I am prepared to take the reading as Do fail  -

No-one is forcing you to accept it - it's just our opinion   

[Greensleeves]

I can't see any problem with the use of 'epithet' (an adjective or phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned); it is perfectly in context here.  I also agree that the words are 'do fail' which is a quite normal way of writing.

And I tend to agree with Gadget - this guy seems to be writing for an audience, and seems very pleased with himself. 

[Deskman]

I am very grateful for all the replies here. They are so useful and insightful.

Greensleves, It was the expression (the pen work) of the word epithet not the word epithet as an expression that I find unimpressive..

JenB, I meant I am now prepared to accept 'Do fail' having previously finding it unsatisfactory which why came to post it. The endorsement of my reading is real help.

The writer would have been a young inexperienced single man who had a excellent secondary education, well read and having had five years of training away from home. Now he was alone in a strange place running a construction project. I think the diary was 'someone' he could talk to, there was no one else where he could share his thoughts. I don't think this was for any other audience. When he did write for an audience he did so well with dry humour.

Thanks again folks.

[Deskman]

Enlightenment at last or lightning has struck!

Following your help with the bold words, the red words have revealed themselves;

"Shall try to get little Miss Hyde from Craven Arms but
if Do fail we shall do very well with Miss Madeline
Wood & Jesse. Miss Madeline I much like, Mrs
Anthonys epithet for her “gracious” fits her exactly, has"

Done and dusted. Thanks.