My dear Aylmer:
I was so pleased to hear of your marriage. I often thought you would never take a bride, but from what our mutual friends have told me, Miss Georgiana is a prize worth the wait you have endured. However, I am concerned about one matter, and I wish to discuss it with you. I understand, again from a friend’s description, that your wife has a small red birthmark on her cheek, shaped like a tiny hand (Hawthorne 6). I have also heard that with your scientific knowledge and love of experiments, you have persuaded your wife that the birthmark can be removed. The purpose of this letter is to attempt to persuade you to reconsider that course of action.

First, I understand why you wish to have the mark removed. Your wife is a beautiful woman, and you wish for that beauty to be without flaw. I also know, my dear friend, that you have a fear of aging. You may believe that this birthmark is only the first in a long line of changes that will come as your wife ages, as we all do (Hawthorne 7). Then too, you are a scientist. You are always striving for new discoveries (Hawthorne 14). You wish to constantly increase your knowledge in all areas, and if you discover a way to have Georgiana’s birthmark removed, it could lead to treatments that would help people with much more serious birth defects than a small birthmark. I honor your intelligence and your sense of obligation to others.

You may be right about the treatment. Your wife might be happier if the birthmark was removed. I know that women can be cruel, and no doubt some people have made comments about the birthmark, perhaps hurting your wife’s feelings (Hawthorne 6). Naturally, you want the best for her, and it cannot be pleasant to hear gossip about her ‘blemish.’ It no doubt hurts you as well. I know you are a proud man, and it must be difficult not to be silent when some silly individual makes a thoughtless remark.

At the same time, is it worth the risk? What if the treatment leaves a bigger scar? What if your wife’s health is affected? If this were a life-threatening illness or even a condition that would leave her permanently crippled or in constant pain, I would say that you should do whatever is necessary and that you should risk anything to help her. But to risk an experimental treatment for a small mark on her cheek? I cannot believe that this is wise. Also, please consider your wife’s feelings. You knew she had this birthmark, and yet you no doubt told her that she is beautiful. You told her that you love her, and you asked her to be your wife. Now, once the wedding is over, you tell her that she is imperfect and that you can ‘fix’ her. Do you really wish to insult her in this way? How can you love her and yet tell her that she is ugly? How can she love you if she knows that you find her repellant (Hawthorne 10)?

My dear friend, I would urge you to talk with Georgiana about this before you try any new treatments. If she does want the mark removed, be very careful that the treatment does not make matters worse. If the mark does not bother her, if she is only going through this for your sake, I believe you should make peace with the birthmark. You should accept it as part of the woman you love, no more or less important than the color of her eyes. Think about this. If you were injured in some way, what would happen if your face was scarred? Would Georgiana turn her back on you? Would she be horrified at the sight of your face? If she is as good a person as I believe she is, then you know she would love you no matter what. She will love you if you go bald or get fat. She will love you when you are wrinkled and toothless. You owe her the same love and loyalty. Please consider this before you go too far.

Your friend,