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borne a title, on account of office, profession, or rank, such a title is placed before, and sometimes after his name; thus, if he be the President, or Governor of a State, or States, the address will be, "To His Excellency, Frederick F. Low, Governor of the State of California;" if he be a judge, or legislator, the title usually prefixed to the person's name is Honorable, or by abbreviation, Hon.; and so with other titles, either civil, or military, or ecclesiastical.

8. The clause of the letter, is the signature added to the body of the letter, bearing the writer's name, or title and name prefixed to it, expressive of the relative position which the writer holds toward the person addressed. Thus, if the writer be a friend, the clause may be, "Very affectionately yours," or "Your true friend, N. N." If the writer be an inferior, the title may be, "Your humble," or "Obedient Servant;" if he is an equal, "Respectfully yours," etc.; if a relation, "Your dear brother," etc.

9. Clauses may vary in form, but all must be appropriate and sincere.

10. The outside direction of the letter is the

(8.) What is the clause of a letter?

What must be the clause with regard to different persons? (9.) What are the qualities of clauses?

(10.) What is the outside direction?

superscription made after it has been closed and folded, containing the name of the person addressed, his title, the place and State where he resides; thus, "To Hon. John Currey, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California, San Francisco, Cal."

11.

The name of the person addressed, and title, is generally written on the middle, and name of the place on the right hand side of the writer, and that of the State immediately under it.

12. The outside direction must be correct, and plainly written, for upon that, the safe transmission and receipt of the letter often depends.

ARTICLE II.

PRAXIS OF WRITING A LETTER.

1. First, think of the points on which you wish to write.

2. Second; Write them down in brief sentences, and in the order required by the nature of the letter, which often varies, according to the object. Thus letters of persuasion, petition,

Give an example.

(11.) How is the outside direction written?

(1.) What is the first practical direction for writing a letter?

-the second?-third?

and advice, in which reasons are assigned, require better order than others.

3. Third; Develop and amplify each point, or complex idea, in suitable language.

4. Fourth; Pay particular attention to punctuation.

5. Fifth; When all the points have been properly developed in language, read your letter: observe how you have observed the rules, according to the kind of the letter; make the necessary corrections, and let your mind rest.

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6. Sixth; After a reasonable time, read the letter again; and if nothing more occurs for correction, copy it, if necessary, in order that there be no cancellations. After which, fold and direct it, according to the directions before and hereafter given.

7. We will illustrate this praxis, by giving the outline of Cicero's letter to Titus Pomponius Atticus, above quoted, on the subject of information.

8. It will be the pupil's duty to develop and amplify the ideas, contained in the outline, (4.) What is the fourth direction ?-the fifth ?—the sixth? (6.) Can you illustrate this praxis by example? (8.) What must a student do?

and afterwards compare his composition with the original, and make the necessary corrections.

THEME.-Letter of Information to Titus Pomponius Atticus.

SKETCH OF THE LETTER.

1. Everything is well at your house.

2. Actilius denies that his agent wrote to him; is surprised at this dispute; requires no more a security from you.

3. Tadius thanks you; is glad of the compromise of his family affair.

4. That friend of mine is angry with you; I

must see to the matter.

5. I have provided for L. Cincius, 20,400 sestertii, for the Megaric statues.

6. I like the Mercuries very much; I wish you to send them, and everything else, as soon as you can.

7. If Lentulus' ship is not ready, send them by another.

8. Tulliola expects your present.

I. EXERCISE.

Find in some letter-writer, one or more letters for each single kind.

Examine how the

(9.) Make a sketch or outline of a letter.

respective qualities and style of each have been preserved; also, condense in brief the main points of each.

II. EXERCISE.

1. Write a letter of information to your father, about the course of studies which you are pursuing at school, and other matters of interest.

2. A letter of persuasion to a little brother, concerning the necessity of a diligent application to study.

3. A letter of petition to the principal of the school, for the pardon of a school-mate, who has broken the rules of school, but who has otherwise been very studious.

4. A letter of consolation to a friend on account of the death of his brother.

5. A letter of recreation to another schoolmate, describing the pleasures of a school picnic.

6. A letter of reprimand to a young relation, who has been insubordinate towards his teacher.

7. A letter of advice to a little sister, who is placed in a young ladies' seminary.

8. A letter of business to the clerk of the family, giving account of the money received from home, the payments made and due, and the money required to meet all expenses.

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