CÓMPLIMENTAL CARDS, Suited to Occasions on which an extraordinary degree of Politeness should be observed; AND A MINISTER'S ADVICE TO A YOUNG LADY. TO THE WHOLE IS PREFIXED, A PLAIN AND EASY GRAMMAR OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE; With an Introduction, containing general Instructions for Writing Letters; Directions for Addressing Persons of all ranks, either in Writing or Discourse; AND RULES FOR READING WITH PROPRIETY, SIXTH EDITION.....IMPROVED. PHILADELPHIA : PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY D. HOGAN, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to wit: BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the third day of Octo ber, in the forty-third year of the Independence of the United (SEAL) States of America, DAVID HOGAN, of the said district, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit: "The New Universal Letter-Writer; or complete art of Polite Cor"respondence: containing a course of interesting letters on the most important, instructive and entertaining subjects; particularly, advice, "affection, affluence, benevolence, business, children to parents, compliments, condolence, courtship, diligence, education, fidelity, folly, "friendship, generosity, happiness, humanity, humour, industry, jus"tice, love, marriage, masters to servants, modesty, morality, economy, parents to children, paternal affection, piety, pleasure, prodi"gality, prudence, religion, retirement, servants to masters, trade, "truth, virtue, wit, &c. &c. To which is added, Dr. Johnson's Essay "on Letter Writing; a set of Complimental Cards, suited to occa"sions on which an extraordinary degree of politeness should be ob"served; and a Minister's advice to a young Lady. To the whole is prefixed, a new, plain and easy Grammar of the English Language; "with an Introduction, containing general instructions for writing let"ters; directions for addressing persons of all ranks, either in wri"ting or discourse; and plain and easy rules for reading with propriety. Sixth edition-improved." 66 66 In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned."-And also to the act entitled, "An act supplementary to an act, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned," and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other Prints." D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. PREFACE. MEN of all ranks, and of every profession, are now so fully convinced of the great importance and utility of epistolary correspondence to almost every occasion of life, that little need be said by way of preface to such a volume as this. The directions laid down in various parts of the work, for acquiring a proper degree of elegance and facility in writing letters, might be deemed sufficient, did not experience shew, that to these rules, or indeed to any rules that can be given, must be added reading and practice. Without these, theoretical grammarians will often find themselves at a loss on the plainest subjects; while, with their aid, persons unacquainted with grammar, and only directed by their natural abilities, will be able to address their correspondents with ease and correctness, and even upon occasion with elegance. It is, therefore, with a view to assist the student in his practice, that this select collection of LETTERS has been made; and in which the most important, interesting, and instructive subjects have been introduced, and numerous examples given on each. This volume is particularly recommended to the youth of both sexes. They would find a great advantage arising from occasionally exercising themselves in transcribing or composing letters upon familiar subjects, and addressing them to their young friends. By this means they would gradually acquire an early taste for epistolary correspondence; than which there is scarcely a more useful or ornamental accomplishment. Those who have the care of youth, should turn their attention to this necessary branch of education, the neglect of which is often severely felt, when it is too late to apply an adequate remedy. Business, love, friendship, &c. all demand a ready pen; and severally become a heavy task to those who are unaccustomed to writing. To "Letters are the life of trade, the fuel of love, "the pleasure of friendship, the food of the politi❝cian, and the entertainment of the curious." those who have not acquired early habits of correspondence, the present collection will be an useful assistant; and, if not entirely destitute of abilities to make a proper application of the examples given, will direct them on almost every occasion. The letters are all carefully adapted to the circumstances of our own country, and a considerable number are taken from approved American writers, and were never before published in any work of this kind. ADVERTISEMENT ΤΟ THE SIXTH EDITION. THE successive editions of the New Universal Letter Writer, which have been called for by the publick, is a decisive proof of general approbation. It is not known that any other similar work has been so well received in the United States. In making the selection at first, the editor was not only desirous of furnishing youth with correct models of the epistolary style; but was particularly anxious, at the same time, of combining with these solid and useful instruction.-The pains he took to attain this object, he now finds amply remunerated. The work has been several times revised, and more especially the present edition; to which also "some additions have been made: and it may be safely said, that throughout the whole series of the letters, the language is in general correct, the sentiments strictly moral,-the principles inculcated for the government of life excellent,-and the lessons of domestick management and economy, are |