PRACTICE.

LETTERS.

Letter writing is a most important kind of composition, inasmuch as it is the one wherein all that can write have constant occasion to exercise themselves.

A letter, with its answer, may be described as a written conversation between two persons at a distance from each other, who are not able to communicate by word of mouth. The qualities most pleasing in a letter are those most pleasing in conversationnaturalness or simplicity, freedom, and cheerfulness.

Many persons imagine that in order to be natural it is sufficient, without choice or reflection, to write at random all that presents itself to the mind. Nothing could be further from the really natural than this random work. Naturalness consists, not in a loose and disconnected style and confused ideas, but, on the contrary, in a style that holds a happy medium between too great negligence and excessive research. Negligence is displeasing even in conversation, and much more so in written correspondence. In a word, the natural by no means excludes labour; only, this labour should be exercised in finding out the most simple and modest terms and expressions, and not in seeking such as by their brilliancy or singularity shall strike the mind of the reader.

Notwithstanding, there is a certain negligence that is allowable in the epistolary style, and I will here state in what it consists. A letter should of course be correctly written, but we must avoid a too absolute correctness. In conversation we make use of certain unstudied expressions that perhaps would be inadmissible judged by the strict rules of grammar;

these expressions may in a limited degree be admitted into a letter; the same remark may be made of certain familiar ellipses, which every one understands, and to which every one is accustomed, although they are not allowed in more serious writing.

A letter ceases to interest as soon as it becomes laboured. Madame de Sevignè, a writer most distinguished in the epistolary art, says, in a letter to her daughter, "You pleasantly say you think you rob me of something when you polish your letters;-take good care not to retouch them; you will convert them into pieces of eloquence. This pure nature that you speak of is precisely what is beautiful, and is of all qualities the most pleasing."

Freedom, cheerfulness, elegance, are all comprehended in one quality, ease. The simple style relates facts, the easy style paints them. The one is usually somewhat dry, its uniformity at length tires; the other is always pleasing, because it imparts to every subject a warmth, which gives animation and life. Ease consists in that air of freedom, that unfettered manner, that exclude alike timidity, confusion, and restraint; and especially in that vivacity of tone that throws so much interest into the most trivial circumstances. Vivacity is the effect of a certain happy manner of presenting subjects from the most graceful or most pleasing point of view, of delicacy of ideas, of judgment in selecting, of propriety and sometimes even of singularity of expression, of a familiar or even a jocose turn of thought. This quality extends to all sorts of subjects; it embellishes moral precepts, softens reproach, renders praise more flattering, and makes sadness less sad. It is only by the frequent and attentive reading of good authors that ease of style can be acquired. It must not, however, be carried beyond due bounds, so as to border on the disrespectful and unbecoming, Puns are seldom pleasing, because they

are seldom good, but flashes of real wit are always acceptable.

It is not necessary to repeat all that was said in the General Precepts on the subjects of Clearness and Precision. These two qualities, the former especially, are as necessary in a letter as in any other composition. One remark may be made relative to precision. A letter has been defined as a written conversation; now, what is wanting in every conversation is exactly precision. We ought therefore to say that the letter is a short, precise conversation, containing only essential points, and bounded by the limits of a succinct analysis.

For the sake of classification, letters may, according to the nature and analogy of their subjects be divided into the following ten classes. 1. Letters congratu latory, letters complimentary, those accompanying presents, and those containing an invitation. A congratulatory letter always requires a certain warmth of expression as a testimony of the writer's sincerity. It should be short. Compliments, too, should be short and natural, for in these qualities their merit lies; formal common-places and trivial expressions should be avoided. Letters accompanying presents and letters of invitation are but simple notes, similar in nature to complimentary letters; they require simplicity and politeness.

2. Letters of consolation or condolence. The object of these letters is to show that we share with another in the unfortunate circumstance that is afflicting him. They ought to be short; the strictest intimacy alone can warrant our entering into long details. It should be observed too, that words of consolation offered too early irritate rather than soothe the grief of the person they are addressed to. The replies to these letters are almost always short, and are usually confined to a simple expression of thanks.

3. Letters of excuse or justification. The length of these letters varies according to the magnitude of the wrong we have done and wish to atone for, and according to the amount of prejudice we consider we have to remove from the mind of the person we are writing to. We should frankly confess our fault, extenuate it without attempting to show that we have right on our side, and evince our eagerness to make amends for it. If we have merely to excuse ourselves for delay or neglect in correspondence, it must be done in a few simple lines at the commencement of the letter.

4. Letters of thanks. The service received, the circumstances that attended it, the generosity of the obliger, the sensibility and gratitude of the receiver of the obligation; these are the principal ideas in letters of this kind. That is the most flattering letter of thanks that shows in the strongest light the greatness of the service rendered and the kindness of the bestower of it. Thanks should be in proportion to their object; we do not for a trifling present thank as heartily as for a considerable service.

5. Letters of demand, of protestation, of offer, of refusal. The principal quality of a letter of demand is modesty. To set forth one's rights without pride, to protest without haughtiness, to solicit without meanness; these, as they are the most worthy means, so are they the most likely to ensure the success of the demand. Letters of protestation require much less management; they are ordinarily dictated by indignation, by a lively sense of some injustice. Still, we must in these letters observe a due measure and dignity. When protesting against an injury that has been involuntarily inflicted, justice requires great moderation. In offering a service, our aim must be not to wound the pride of the object of our benevolence, to make him see that were we in his place we should

not hesitate to accept it; and we should endeavour, especially if we wish to avoid a refusal, to make the value of the service offered appear less than it really is, and thus to diminish the embarrassment it may occasion. Letters of refusal sent in reply to a demand should not contain anything that may wound; in reply to an offer they should be dictated by sensibility, and treated in detail, to prove to the friend offering a good service, that if we do not accept his offer, it is really only because we do not stand in need of it.

6. Letters of recommendation. These are very similar to letters of request, with this difference, that we ask for another instead of for ourselves. They ought to contain a statement of the reasons that entitle the person to the favour we solicit for him : apologies for the trouble we are giving, or the inconveniences we may cause; and, lastly, expressions of gratitude for the favour we expect. It is scarcely necessary to remark that so much ceremony is, not required in letters that are given for the purpose of introduction, for instance, to a person going to another town, or travelling to a foreign country. It is then sufficient to say that the bearer is an acquaintance of the writer's whose society may perhaps be found agreeable to the friend addressed.

7. Letters of advice or reproach. In general, advice should be given to those only that ask for it. The ties of relationship, superiority in age or attainments, can alone justify a spontaneous offer of advice. Letters of advice ought to enter into detail, because our counsel will have no weight if we do not fully set forth the reasons that should determine to such or such a course of action; and if, on the other hand, we do not anticipate and refute the principal objections that may be made. Advice is in no case binding; the decision should always be left to him that is most interested in taking the wisest part. Letters of reproach vary