and whom he had talked to as she lay before him in death, as if she could hear and answer him, had gone from him. Nothing was left for the senses to fasten fondly on, and time had not yet taught him to think of her only as a spirit. But time and holy endeavors brought this consolation; and the little of life that a wasting disease left him, was passed by him, when alone, in thoughtful tranquillity; and amongst his friends he appeared with that gentle cheerfulness, which, before his mother's death, had been a part of his nature.*

Exercises.

Narration and Description may now be united in the history of

To the historical data which can be gleaned from any authentic source, the student may be permitted to add fictitious circumstances of his own invention.

In the same manner, he may present notices of any other character which may occur in the course of his reading or observation. He may also reverse the process of amplifying, and present an abridgement of the example.

LXIV.

EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE, OR LETTER WRITING. †

A Letter is, perhaps, one of the most common, as well as one of the most useful forms of composition, and there are few, who can read or write at all, who are not frequently called

* It is recommended that the student be required to analyze this beautiful specimen of narration united with description, by presenting a list of the particulars which enter into the narrative and descriptive parts respec tively.

† It is generally allowed, that epistolary writing, if not one of the highest, is one of the most difficult branches of composition. An elegant letter is much more rare than an elegant specimen of any other kind of writing. It is for this reason, that the author has deviated from the usual order prac tised by respectable teachers who give epistolary writing the first place in

upon to perform it. Under the head of Letter Writing, it is intended in this exercise to include all the forms of epistolary correspondence, whether in the shape of billets, notes, formal letters, or ceremonious cards, &c. It is proper to premise, tha, whenever a letter is to be written, regard should be had to the usual forms of complimentary address, to the date, the superscription, and the closing. The folding, also, of the letter should not be disregarded. If it be true, that "trifles form the principal distinction between the refined and the unrefined," surely those trifles deserve some sort of consideration.

And, first, it is to be observed, that, whenever a written communication is made by one individual to another, the usages of society require that the reply should also be written; and that the same style of address should be preserved in both the communication and the reply. A different style, or form, seems to express a want of respect, or an arrogance of superior knowledge, - faults equally to be avoided in the intercourse of polished society.

If the letter is written in the first person, the reply should also be in the first person. Thus, when the letter begins. "Dear Sir,

"I write to inform you," &c.,

the answer should be in the first person also; thus :

"Dear Sir,

"I have received your letter," &c., or "Your letter informing me, &c., has been received, and I hasten to say," &c.

If the letter is written in the third person, thus:

"Mr. Parker has the honor of informing the Hon. Mr Brimmer," &c.,

the answer should also be in the third person; thus:

"Mr. Brimmer has received the letter of Mr. Parker," &c.

pro

the attention of the student. He has deemed it expedient to reserve the subject for this part of the volume, and for the practice of the student who' has been previously exercised in other attempts. At this stage of his gress, he may be profitably exercised in the writing of letters. The teacher may now require him to write notes, billets, and letters addressed to a real or fictitious person, announcing some event, or on some formal subject. The teacher cannot be too particular in his directions with regard to folding, sealing, &c., for early habits of negligence, or want of ieatness, are with difficulty eradicated.

The name of the writer should always be subscribed to the letter when it is written in the first person, but never when it is written in the third. The date of the letter should also be written at the beginning, when the letter is written in the first person, and at the end, when it is written in the third. The address of the letter should be written under the signature, and towards the left side of the letter, when it is written in the first person, but not when it is written in the third.

A neat and well-written letter is a much more rare production than it ought to be. Few directions can be given with regard to the composition of a letter; but it is intended in this exercise to give some general directions with regard to the mechanical execution of letters, notes, and billets. And, first, with regard to Letters.

A letter should embrace the following particulars, namely. 1st. The date. 2d. The complimentary address. 3d. The body of the letter. 4th. The style, or complimentary closing. 5th. The signature; and, 6th. The address, with the title, if any.

The date should be written near the right hand upper corner of the sheet. The complimentary address follows, a little lower down, near the left hand side of the sheet. The body of the letter should be commenced very nearly under the last letter of the complimentary address. The style, or complimentary closing, should stand very nearly under the last letter of the body; the signature very nearly under the last letter of the style; and the address should be placed a little below the signature, and towards the left hand side of the sheet.

16*

Example 2d.

A LETTER, WITH ITS PARTS.

(:onplimentary address.)

Dear Sir,

sent a

(date.)

Boston, May 2d, 1843.

(body of the letter.)

I have endeavored to pre=

few plain directions for letter-writing, which, I hope, will be sufficiently intelligible, without much labored explanation. If, how= ever, I have unfortunately neglected any mx= terial point, I shall very gladly supply the deficiency, if you will have the kindness mention it, either personally, or by note.

(style, or complimentary closing.)

Yours respectfully,

(the address, or superscription.)

(signature.)

to

George C. S: Parker.

Hon. James Harper.

(title.)

Mayor of New York.

In very formal letters, the address should precede the letter and the signature, so that the individual addressed may, at first sight, perceive that the communication is intended for him, before he has taken the trouble to read it through. In this case, also, the date should be written below, in the place of the address.