PART VI.

OF LETTERS.

DEFINITION, DIVISION, IMPORTANCE AND PARTS OF THE LETTER.

1. A letter is " a written composition, whereby we address a person absent, as though he were present."

2.

Anything, which can form the subject of conversation with a person when present, can likewise be the subject of a letter when he is absent.

3. The persons to whom letters are generally directed, comprise five classes, to-wit: Relations, Friends, Business-men, Superiors, and Inferiors. Hence letters can be classified accordingly, as letters to Relations, Friends, Business-men, Superiors, and Inferiors.

4. Again; as the object of a letter is commonly to inform, persuade, ask, console, please, (1.) What is a Letter?

(2.) What may be the subject of a letter?

(3.) To whom are letters addressed generally ?

How, then, can they be classified?

(4.) How may the different kinds of letters be divided accord

ing to the object?

correct, reprimand, or transact business; so letters may again be divided according to their object, into letters of information, persuasion, petition, consolation, recreation or pleasure, correction, reprimand, and business.

5. Information and persuasion constitute the most common objects of letter-writers.

6. Petition may be the object of all classes of persons; except, perhaps, superiors toward inferiors.

7. Recreation and pleasure are generally the object of friends and relations toward each other.

8. Correction and reprimand, properly belong to superiors, with respect to their inferiors.

9. The necessity, as well as the importance of letter-writing, is evident from the fact, that human society can no more dispense with it, than with ordinary conversation; and as letters comprise, within a small compass, all the subjects

(5.) What is the most common object of a letter?

(6.) To whom does the object of petition refer?

(7.) What class of persons aim chiefly at recreation and pleasure in a letter?

(8.) To whom does correction and reprimand belong?

(9.) How is the necessity and utility of letters proved?

and objects of composition; so they are preëminently the most useful subject of composition; and one, therefore, which demands all the diligence and study of the scholar.

10. The parts of a letter are four, to-wit: first, the beginning, or date, and address; second, the middle, or body; third, the end, or clause; fourth, the outside directions.

11. We shall expound this subject in two chapters. In the first, we will treat of the body of the letter; it being the principal and most essential part. In the second, we will consider the secondary parts; and will conclude with an appendix on notes, cards, complimentary tickets, and the folding of the letter.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE PRINCIPAL PART, VIZ: THE BODY OF THE LETTER.

1. The precepts which regard the body of the letter, are of two kinds, general and particular.

(10.) How many are the parts of a letter?

(1.) How many fold are the precepts which regard the body of a letter?

2. The general precepts apply to all kinds of letters; the particular precepts apply to each kind separately, viz: to letters of information, persuasion, petition, consolation, recreation, correction, and business.

3. We shall, therefore, detail in two articles the general and particular precepts of the letter.

ARTICLE I.

GENERAL PRECEPTS CONCERNING THE BODY OF THE LETTER.

1. Since a letter, according to its definition, is, "a written composition, whereby we address a person absent, as though he were present; it follows, that every letter must be written to one absent in the same style, as we would address him if he were present. This universal precept may be called the golden rule of all letter writing. Hence, it follows:

2. The idea of the writer upon the subject of the letter, must be true, clear, and proper; because truth is necessary, in order to be believed;

(2.) To what kinds of letters do the general and particular precepts apply?

(1.) Have you any general precept for all letter-writing?

(2.) To what must the style of a letter be adapted?

What must be the writer's ideas on the subject of a letter?

clearness, in order to be understood; and propriety, or decency, in order to be respected. A deviation from decency is always reprehensible, even if the letter be addressed to a friend, or relative.

3. The style of a letter must be adapted to the subject, and object of the writer; and also to the rank of the person addressed.

4.

Although the simple style is more common, yet the flowery and sublime are not unusual, nor contrary to the nature of letters; for, if such styles may sometimes be used in speaking, with certain persons of high rank, or merit, why may not the same be allowed, when we write to them? Again; if style must conform to the object of the writer, as stated in another place, it follows, that when the writer's object requires either the simple, or the middle, or the sublime style, the letter must have it. Lastly, if letters, as before stated, comprise all subjects of composition, why not all styles also?

5. Beside the appropriate style desired in a

(3.) What must be the style of a letter in general ?

(4.) What kinds of style may a letter admit? Prove your as

sertion.

(5.) What other qualities are required in letters, beside a suitable style?

What will be disgraceful to a letter-writer?