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 TABLE OF CONTENTS. A young gentleman's letter to his papa, written A young lady to her mama, desiring to learn - A letter on arithmetic, by Dr. Johnson, to a A young gentleman to his guardian, acquaint- ing him he has begun to learn geography ib. From Lord Chesterfield to his son, on modesty 6 From a brother at home to a sister abroad on a 10 &c. 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 To a gentleman who was jealous of his wife 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 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 Mr. Pope, on the proper way of keeping Dr. Swift to a young lady on her marriage a present Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Piozzi, on sickness 46 48 50 53 56 58 62 65 67 78 83 84 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 of his mother 97 Mr. Pope to Mr. Digby, on the death of his brother 98 Miss Williams to a friend, describing her arresta- 100 107 Miss |