not to mention that you will by this means avoid the danger of a long winter voyage in a sea that affords but few harbors; there is this very material consideration, that you may soon cross over into Italy, whenever you shall receive any certain intelligence. Nor do I see any reason for your being desirous of presenting yourself to Cæsar's friends on their return. In short, I have many other objections to your schemes, for the particulars of which I refer you to our friend Chilo. You cannot, indeed, in these unfortunate times, be more conveniently placed than where you now are; as you may, with great facility and expedition, transport yourself from thence to whatever other part of the world you shall find it necessary to remove. If Cæsar should return at the time he is expected, you may be in Italy soon enough to wait upon him; but should anything happen (as many things possibly may,) to prevent or retard his march, you are in a place where you may receive an early information of all that occurs. To repeat it, therefore, once more, I am altogether of opinion that you should continue in your present quarters. I will only add, (what I have often exhorted you in my former letters to be well persuaded of,) that you have nothing to fear beyond the general danger to which every citizen of Rome is equally exposed. And though this, it must be owned, is sufficiently great; yet, we can both of us look back with so much satisfaction upon our past conduct, and are arrived at such a period of life, that we ought to bear with particular fortitude whatever unmerited fate may attend us.

Your family here are all well, and extremely regret your absence, as they love and honor you with the highest tenderness and esteem. Take care of your

health, and by no means remove without duly weighing the consequences. Farewell."

T III.

OF LETTERS OF PETITION.

DEFINITION AND QUALITIES.

1. Letters of petition are those in which some thing is asked or entreated.

2. The subject of petition, or thing asked must be reasonable, necessary, or useful.

3. The petition must be accompanied by reasons, in order that it may be granted; hence, all the rules which regard letters of persuasion, apply to this class also.

4. Letters of this kind are in use especially among friends, relations, and inferiors to superiors.

5. The following is an example of a letter of petition :

(1.) What are letters of petition?

(2.) What qualities must the subject of petition have?

(3.) What may accompany a petition?

(4.) By whom are letters of this kind addressed?

(5.) Give an example of a letter of petition.

Cicero to Publius Lentulus, Proconsul. (A. U. 697.)

« Aulus Trebonius, who is an old and intimate friend of mine, has some important affairs in your province, which require immediate dispatch. His own illustrious character, together with the recommendations of myself and others, have, upon former occasions of this kind, obtained for him the indul

gence of your predecessors. He is strongly persua

ded, therefore, from that affection and those mutual good offices which subsist between you and me, that this letter will not prove a less effectual solicitor in his behalf; and let me earnestly entreat you not to disappoint him in this his expectation. Accordingly, I recommend his servants, his freedmen, his agents, and in short, his concerns of every kind, to your patronage; but particularly I beg you would confirm the decree which Titus Ampius passed in his favor. In one word, I hope you will take all opportunities of convincing him that you do not consider this recommendation as a matter of common and unmeaning form. Farewell."

DEFINITION AND QUALITIES.

1. These are letters which have for their object the consolation of a person on account of

(1.) What is the object of letters of consolation?

some calamity which has befallen him. A calamity may be either the loss of life or property; either internal, (i. e. personal) or external.

2. The calamity must be but slightly adverted to in the letter, as a new recital of it is calculated to open afresh the wounds of grief.

3. The reasons for bearing the calamity with fortitude, must be brought forward in good order, but in a concise manner, as too much prolixity cannot be borne by a grieved mind.

4. If the object of the letter is to console a person for the death of a relation or friend ; it is proper to dwell a little on the good qualities of the deceased; and thence to conclude, that it behooved the Divine Justice to call him to the reward of his deserts. A comparison also, between the present and future life of the happy spirits, may be made with good effect, showing that to die is properly to live, and to live in this world is often worse than death; hence, rather than mourn, we should envy the fate of the deceased.

5. In general, the loss sustained must be ex

(2.) How must the allusion to a calamity be made? (3.) How must the reasons for bearing it be given?

(4.) How may consolation be administered, on account of the death of a relation or friend?

(5.) What is to be observed in general, in letters of consola

tenuated, if it cannot be represented to be a gain.

6. The style adapted to this class of letters, is the simple. It may, however, rise to the sublime, if reference be made to God, and a blissful life.

7. This kind of letters is frequently in use among all classes of men, but principally among friends and relations.

8. The letter of Mrs. Webster to her husband, upon the death of their little son, affords a beautiful illustration on this subject:

Mrs. Webster to Mr. Webster.

66

BOSTON, December 28, 1844.

I have a great desire to write to you, my beloved husband, but I doubt if I can write legibly, as I can scarcely hold my pen in my fingers. I have just received your letter in answer to William, which told you that dear little Charley was no more. I have dreaded the hour that should destroy your hopes, but trust you will not let this event afflict you too much, and that we both shall be able to resign him without a murmur, happy in the reflection that he has returned to his Heavenly Father, pure as I received him. It was

(6.) What style is adapted to this kind of letters?

(7.) By whom are they addressed?

(8.) Give an example of a letter of this kind?