it be upon a very slight and indifferent matter. In asking a favor of an intimate friend, address him in the first person.

Do not take bad writing for freedom of style. Whatever pleasure your friends may derive from reading your letters, you have no right to suppose that they have time for the study of hieroglyphics.

And finally, remember that whatever you write is written evidence either of your good sense or your folly, your industry or carelessness, your self-control or impatience. What you have once put into the letter-box may cost you lasting regret, or be equally important to your whole future welfare. And, for such grave reasons, think before you write,, and think while you are writing.

INTRODUCTION.

IN the following series of letters it has been the object of the compiler to present, in modernized style and phraseology, examples of letters on such practical subjects as will guide the inexperienced correspondent in communicating his thoughts on matters of daily occurrence in life. It is to be premised, however, that as exigencies may often occur, when the specimens here given may not suit the circumstances of the writer,-for, indeed, thousands of letters might be published without any one being perfectly adapted to his particular case, he must regard the letters in this work not so much as copies to be verbally transcribed, as aids for acquiring facility of composition, a correct diction, and an easy and graceful style. The first part of the work is appropriated to

LETTERS OF BUSINESS.

The characteristics of the commercial style are conciseness and perspicuity; with the exception of a few terms of compliment, scarcely a superfluous word should be admitted. It is, however, by no means necessary to sacrifice correctness of style or language; a careful simplicity, with the clearness of expression necessary to convey the thoughts which are desired to be imparted, combined with the rejection of all words not absolutely indispensable, while giving rise to a forcible style, form in themselves some of the chief essentials of true elegance.

It is desirable for those unpracticed in correspondence, . before inditing a letter of any length, to note down the several heads of the matter forming the subject of communication, so that the various points may be brought forward in proper consecutive order. If many subjects are to be alluded to, they should be kept perfectly distinct, as the proper division of a letter into paragraphs is of the utmost importance; a confusion of sentences not only looks extremely ill but is very likely to lead to misapprehension of the writer's meaning, and to result in delay and injury, or, at all events, to necessitate further correspondence.

In replying to a letter, each point of it should be taken as it arises, and be discussed in a separate paragraph; and every paragraph should be so clear and unambiguous that its purport may in no way be doubted. All business letters should be answered the same day they are received. In all letters of business it is customary to write the name and address on the first page; as otherwise, if the superscription were lost, it would not appear to whom the letter had been written. For letters of business do not employ gilt-edged paper. To do so is accounted the extreme of vulgarity: therefore always use plain paper on such occasions. Applications for employment, with

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.

Our examples under this head will be useful, as affording a specimen of an appropriate style to be adopted in answering advertisements, or in applying for situations. On such occasions, while the proper deference due to an employer should be exhibited, it is desirable to preserve that tone of self-respect, which the employee should bear in mind has a better effect than any subservient expressions.

LETTERS BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

Letters expressing the feelings of children toward their parents, and the anxious affection of parents for their chil

dren, afford themes of the most interesting character, and examples of the most perfect confidence. In style, they have the widest range," from grave to gay, from lively to

Children away from home, in the excitement of new scenes and fresh acquaintances, may for a time forget and neglect their parents; but moments must recur reminding them of their affectionate solicitude, and in trouble and affliction making them yearn for a sympathy they may then only in its absence thoroughly appreciate, and it is at such times that a letter relieves the heart of the writer and moves that of the parent. Children should, however, accustom themselves to write regularly to their parents, and they should express themselves in the same easy, cheerful way that they would do in speaking at home. The only rule we think it necessary to lay down, is the propriety of preserving a due regard to the relationship in which the writers are placed to each other. A father, when writing to his son, should preserve his superiority by a gentle degree of authority, and a son should never lose sight of the manner in which he can best express his sense of filial duty.

LETTERS OF FRIENDLY COUNSEL AND REMONSTRANCE.

Perhaps no class of letters demands more delicate treatment than such as one friend sends to another with words of counsel or remonstrance, either in common emergencies, or on subjects of general importance. We give a variety

of examples; one is from the correspondence of Franklin, and is worthy of study as a model of the instructive class, when the writer is the acknowledged superior of his correspondent in knowledge or experience.

LETTERS SOLICITING ADVICE, ASSISTANCE, OR FRIENDLY FAVORS. Letters of this class, though they do not relate to transactions which bear a commercial profit, are generally con

nected with business, and require prompt attention. Introductions, for example, are often of the highest value; and, as such favors can always be reciprocated, they are seldom refused or neglected by men acquainted with the usages of society. Such letters may either be written by persons having only a business acquaintance, or may pass between mutual friends.

LETTERS OF COURTESY, FRIENDSHIP, AND AFFECTION.

An old writer says, "we all delight to talk of ourselves; and it is only in letters, in writing to a friend, that we can enjoy that conversation, not only without reproach or interruption, but with the highest propriety and mutual satisfaction." In such letters, above all things, a natural and lucid expression of the sentiments of the writer is necessary. Friends expect our thoughts and feelings, not a letter filled with unmeaning verbosity; and though, where excellence is aimed at, considerable attention must be paid to the disposition of the words and sentences, it must not be at the sacrifice of the energy resulting from a free expression of the sentiments. Let the thoughts first be mastered, and the words be suggested by the sentiments, without the slightest affectation of manner. The ease of diction so essential may, in a measure, be acquired by familiarity with the best English authors, and an approach thus made to that perfection which may be said to be attained only by the happy union of ease and freshness with the dignity of true friendship.

It is a common saying with young friends, as an excuse for remissness in their correspondence, that they have nothing to write about; but surely between friends there must be a similarity of taste on some subjects, and a discussion of their sentiments and opinions on any one of them, in a course of correspondence, would be acceptable and also valuable, as tending to their mutual improvement.

But this division of our subject comprises, also, the