Inhaltsangabe
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841. Excerpt: ... STYLE. Totally different in style, and in principles of composition, from those which have just occupied our attention, are the letters which now claim our notice. While letters of business require to be distinguished by clearness and perspicuity, combined with as much conciseness as the nature of the communication will permit; letters of courtesy claim more finish and ornament, greater attention to the disposition of the words and the turns of the sentiment. "The first virtue of the former," says a modern writer, "is to be common-place; the last perfection of the latter is to be gracefully fresh." Excellence in epistolary composition is a sure proof of taste and delicacy. Locke observes, "The writing of letters enters so much into all the occasions of life, that no gentleman can avoid showing himself in compositions of this kind, which lay open his breeding, his sense, and his abilities, to a severer examination than any oral discourse." To write well and with elegance is a task of some difficulty, but its importance renders it necessary that it should be acquired. It is to be regretted that this art does not hold a more prominent place in the education of youth; for, when the mind is "Wax to receive and marble to retain," the rudiments of any easy style might be impressed upon it, and thus save much labour and trouble at a later period of life. Men of ability in other respects have often regretted deficiency in their style of writing. A celebrated admiral on one occasion remarked of a letter he had just finished, "It is like that of a tallow-chandler." Letters of courtesy comprehend letters of duty, friendship, and love. It is evident that each of these requires in some measure a different kind of style, according to the degree of respect the party clai...
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