Since our Last, we have received the following Letter:

Sir,

SEVERAL of our late Authors have been at great Pains to make their Readers learned, without any, by Dictionaries, Compendiums, &c. and it must be owned, to their Honour, they have been very successful in propagating that Species of Literati called Smatterers; but I must beg Pardon for thinking the Scheme imperfect, as long as there is nothing in that Way attempted for the Authors. "Tis certainly hard, that none but Persons of Genius, and Learning should write; and as hard, that when they do, they should make the awkard Figure their Nakedness obliges them to. Now I think by long Study and Observation, I have reduced the Method of Writing to a few general Heads, plain enough for the Comprehension of a Blockhead, and short enough for the Memory of a Wit: These, with some Observations on them, make up a small Book, which I intend shortly to publish by Subscription, and would fain, by your Means, give the Publick some Notion of my Design.

The whole turns on the proper Use of Capitals, Italicks, Blanks and Dashes; by which I mean to supply the Place of Learning, Wit, Reflection, and other Excellencies of Writing. Learning is best shewn by the Use of Capitals, and is effected by chusing out the names of celebrated Authors, and putting them in large Letters, so that they may strike the Eye; it would not be amiss to group them handsomely, as thus, HORACE, VIRGIL, POLITIAN, and VALERIUS FLACCUS, or you may have some words between each Authorthey have their Beauties either Way. And if you would strengthen any Notion of your own, you may say, HOMER, AULUS GELLIUS and Sir ISAAC NEWTON were of such or such an Opinion; this proves at once the Greatness and Variety of a Man's Reading. Wit is best expressed by Italicks; a Joke is often lost for Want of them, and many a one taken where really there was none. As Wit is very commendable, no Sentence should be without Italicks; but there is a Secret in the judicious Use of them, which none but Adepts are let into. The great use of Blanks is pretty obvious. It is an excellency in a Writer not to say all that may be said, but leave something for the Reader's Discovery; Blanks perform this to Admiration, so that they can scarcely be used too often; besides that they give the Work an Air of Treason or Scandal, which move two Passions very laudable. The Dashes are a more modern Invention than any of the former, yet not less excellent:-they supply the Place of Reflection, and give a Sententious Air to a Discourse;—they are of wonderful Use, as they bring Improvement to the Reader,-Profit to the Author and Printer, and Ease to all three:—To them the Female Spectator, Parrot, and other beautiful Compositions of that Nature, owe their Success; but I know not where Blanks have made a more shining Figure than in the Earl of Shaftsbury's Characteristics—"Tis I affirm the Use of those, by which the present Set of Authors have arriv'd to a Renown, which will be the Glory of this Age, the Shame of the past, and the Admiration of all Posterity. As to Quotations, I give no Rules, only advice that Horace and Shakespear be quoted on all Occasions, and let Propriety come of itself, only taking Notice, that the Work should begin and end with one.

I am sensible, Mr Reformer, that it may be objected, that all these Rules concern the Printer as much, or more than the Writer I readily grant it; for which Reason I advise my Author never to shew his Work to any before

it is printed, lest it should not be done by Advice of Friends, who will be surprized to find a Person an Author, whom (as an Author of this City has elegantly expressed) they would sooner have taken for a Conjurer. You have promised to encourage rising Merit; now this has not only Merit in itself, but tends to raise it in others.

I am, Sir, &c.

ADVERTISEMENT

THE Thinness of the Town for the ensuing Summer, obliges us to discontinue this Paper until next Winter, during which Time, Subscriptions will be taken in by the Printer hereof.