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PREFACE.

THE art of letter writing will ever be considered as one of the greatest ornaments of education; for, next to the power of pleasing by his presence, every man would wish to be able to give delight at a distance. In this Collection of Letters various models are offered, beginning with easy and familiar forms, and thence leading, by simple gradations, to epistles of the most complex construction.

The SECRETARY will be found to contain not only proper precedents of letters, but important advice, and directions for behaviour, in almost every situation in life. The Editor has selected from the best epistolary writers this country has produced, and those written by that amiable Poet, Cowper, will be read with delight. Miss Williams's Correspondence from France, describing, in glowing colours, the miseries.

& macker

and

and horrors of revolutionary governments, and pourtraying the anarchy and bioodshed occasioned by lawless and ambitious tyrants, will be considered with the liveliest feeling and interest, and every Englishman will rejoice, that, in this happy country, we are, by the interposition of Divine Providence, placed under a Constitution wise, and good, that alike protects the peer and the peasant, and guards in safety the cottage, as well as the palace.

JULY 20, 1803.

TABLE

PAGE

11

15

From an elder to a younger brother, representing the fatal consequences of extravagance From a gentleman to his son, against loquacity 12 To a friend, on the proper use of time From a father to his son, on the ill consequences of keeping bad company, late hours, &c. during his apprenticeship

From a tradesman to his correspondent, requesting payment of a sum of money

The answer

16

19

ib.

From a lady to her maid servant who had left her 20 To a young tradesman, advising method and diligence in business

From an aunt to her niece, containing instructions to judge of proposals of marriage

A gentleman to the father of a lady on the subject of matrimony

The father's answer

From the lover in reply

A young lady to her father, informing him of a proposal of marriage being made to her

The father's answer

A young gentleman, nearly out of his apprenticeship, to the father of a lady

The father's answer

To a young lady, on her keeping company with
a gentleman of bad character

To a gentleman who was jealous of his wife
The gentleman's answer

A mother to her daughter, who was jealous of

her husband

On calumny

To a friend, in answer to his complaint of the

incontinence of his mistress

On honour

On friendship

Against intimacy with a short acquaintance.

22

25

28

29

ib.

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

40

41

43 45 On

PAGE.

On education

To a young lady on fortitude

On the advantages of taste for the beauties of

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To a friend, on the effects of prosperity and adversity on the human mind

A letter by Locke, on the advantages of friendship

Dr. Moore to a friend on gaming

Dr. Schomberg to a young lady, on reading for
improvement

Mr. Pope, on the proper way of keeping
Christmas

Dr. Swift to a young lady on her marriage
Mrs. Thrale to a gentleman on his marriage
Dr. Johnson to a lady, refusing a request
Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Boswell, thanking her for

a present

Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Piozzi, on sickness
Dr. Tillotson to a friend

46

48

50

53

56

58

62

65

67

78

83

84

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Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Thrale, on the death of

her husband

92

From the same to the same

93

Lord Chesterfield to Dr. Chenevix, on the death of his wife

94

Dr. Johnson to Dr. Lawrence, on the death of

his wife

Dr. Johnson to Mr. Elphinstone, on the death

Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Strachan, on the death of her son

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of his mother

97

Mr. Pope to Mr. Digby, on the death of his brother

98

Miss Williams to a friend, describing her arresta-
tion and confinement in France
Miss Williams in continuation

100

107

Miss

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