THE

UNIVERSAL LETTER WRITER.

PART I.

ON RELATIONSHIP.

LETTER 1.

From a young lad at a boarding-school in the country to his brother, an apprentice in New-York.

DEAR CHARLES,

Little master Billy Thompson is going to New-York tomorrow in the stage, and I have sent this by him to you. We are all well at school, and I have got as far as Ovid; I have likewise got through the rules of practice, of which I shall give you a better account when I Dear brother, give my duty to come to town on the fourth of July. papa and mamma, and tell them I long to see them; I pray for them and you every day; and I have read over the Complete Duty of Man, which my mamma gave me. I spend an hour every day in reading Dr. Goldsmith's Roman History. Pray Charles, send me some books, for I am very fond of reading; and a neat red pocket book, and I shall do more for you when I leave school.

DEAR BROTHER,

LETTER 2.

I am your loving browner.

The Brother's Answer.

I received your kind letter, and am glad to hear you are well, as also of the progress you make in learning. I read your letter to your papa and manma, and they are much pleased with it. Bill Thompson dines at our house tomorrow, and he will bring you this. Your father has sent you three dollars; and as you are so fond of books, I have sent you Rollin's Belles Lettres. Mr. Austin, our priest, says, that although all sorts of history are useful, yet he thinks you should begin with that of your own country; and he has sent you a present of Gordon's History of America. I have sent you the pocket book, and some We all beg other things, which you will find sealed up in the parcel. that you will continue to persevere as you have Legun, in an uniform course of virtue.

I am, dear brother, yours affectionately.

LETTER 3.

From a young Miss to her Parents.

I HOPE that my dear papa and mamma will excuse the badness of the writing of this letter, when they shall be pleased to recollect, that this is my first attempt since I have learned to join my letters together. I have long been anxious to have the pleasure of being able to write to you, and beg you will be pleased to accept this my first humble offering. As my constant study ever has been, so shall it continue to be, to convince you how much I am, my dearest parents,

Your most affectionate and dutiful daughter,

LETTER 4.

From the same to her Parents on another occasion. My dear papa and mamma will be pleased to accept of my most respectful compliments on the close of the old and commencement of the new year. As it has pleased God to give you good health during the course of the last year, I beseech him to grant you the same to the end of the present, and many more. This is a happiness your family have most earnestly to wish for, and in particular

Your most humble and dutiful daughter.

LETTER 5.

From a young Miss to her Brother in the country.

DFAR WILLIAM,

You seem to make good the old proverb, "Out of sight, out of mind." It is now two months since I received a letter from you, and you appear to forget that we little maids do not like to be treated with neglect. You must not pretend to tell me that however fond you may be of your books, you could not find leisure to write me in all this time. They tell me that you spend a great part of your leisure time with a little miss of about eight years of age, with whom you are very fond of reading and conversing. Take care, if I find she is withdrawing your affection from me, that I do not come down, and pull her cap for her. As for yourself, if you were within the reach of my little tongue, I would give you such a peal as should make you remember it for some time to come. However, if you will write to me soon, I may possibly forgive all that is past, and still consider myself as

DEAR SISTER,

Your most affectionate sister.

LETTER 6.

Answer to the preceding.

I am very sorry, that I have given you so much reason to complain of my neglect of writing to you; but be assured, that my affections for you are the same they ever were. I readily confess, that the young lady you complain of, has in some measure been the cause of it. She is as fond of reading as I am, and I believe loves you on my account; "is

it then possible my sister cau be displeased with one so amiable. I did not tell her what you threatened her with: but I am sure, were you to come here on that errand, instead of pulling her cap, you would embrace and love her. As to what you say respecting your little tongue, I promise you I do not wish to come within, reach of the sound of it, when anger sets it in motion. As this is the only thing which can render my sister less agreeable, I shall be very cautious to avoid setting the little alarum in motion, especially when I shall pay you a visit. I have bought you a most brilliant doll, which I shall bring up with me when I come to Hudson. Your most affectionate brother.

LETTER 7.

From a Brother to a Sister in the country, upbraiding her for being negligent in writing.

MY DEAR SISTER,

I write to you to acquaint you how unkindly we all take it here, that you do not write oftener to us, in relation to your health, diversion, and employments in the country. You cannot be insensible how much you are beloved by us all; judge then if you do well to omit giving us the satisfaction absence affords to true friends, which is, often to hear from one another. My mother is highly displeased with you, and says you are a very idle girl; my aunt is of the same opinion, and I would fain, like a loving brother, excuse you if I could. Fray, for the future take care to deserve a better character, and by writing soon, and often, put it in my power to say what a good sister I have for you shall always find me, Your most affectionate brother.

LETTER 8.

From the Daughter to the Mother, in excuse for her neglect. HONORED MADAM,

as to for

I am ashamed I stayed to be reminded of my duty by my brother's kind letter. I will offer no excuse for myself for not writing oftener, though I have been strangely taken up by the kindness and favor of your good friends here, particularly my aunt Willet: for well do I know that my duty to my honored mother ought to take place of all other considerations. All I beg therefore is, that you will be so good give ine, on promise of amendment, and to procure forgiveness also of my aunt Greenough and all-friends. Believe me, madam, when I say that no diversions here or elsewhere shall make me forget the duty I owe to so good a mother, and such kind relations; and that I shall ever be Your gratefully dutiful daughter. P. S. My aunt and cousins desire their kind love to you, and dus respects to all friends.

LETTER 9.

From a Father to his Son at school.

MY DEAR CHILD,

I could not give a more convincing proof of my affection for you, than in submitting to send you to so great a distance from me. I preferred

your advantage to my own pleasure, and sacrificed fondness to duty. I should have done this sooner, but I waited till my inquiries had found out a person whose character night be responsible for your education; and Mr. Batchelder was at length my choice for that important trust. Your obedience, therefore, must be without murmuring or reluctance; especially when you reflect that a strict attention to his appointments, and an implicit compliance with his commands, are not only to form the rule of your safe conduct in this life, but to be preparatory to your happiness in the next. With regard to your school connexions, it is impossible for me to give you any instructions at present. All that I shall now Bay to you on this subject is, quarrel with no one, avoid meddling with the disputes of others, unless with a view to promote an accommodation; and though I would wish you to support the dignity of a youth, be nei ther mean nor arrogant. I have nothing more now to add, than to pray God to give you grace and abilities, and that your own endeavors may second the views of An affectionate father.

HONORED SIR,

LETTER 10.

From a Youth at school to his Father.

I am infinitely obliged to you, for the many favors you have bestowed upon me; all I hope is, that the progress I make in my learning will be considered as some proof how sensible I am of your kindness. Grati tude, duty, and a view to my own future advantage, equally contribute to make ine thoroughly sensible how much I ought to labor for my own. improvement, and your satisfaction. I have received the books you sent for my amusement. The Princes of Persia I have almost finished, after which I shall peruse Mrs. Chapone's Letters on the Improvement of the Mind. The liberal allowance of money you have been pleased to make me, shall be applied in the best manner I am able. I am sure my dear father will not censure me should I devote a part of it towards the relief of the wretched and unfortunate. Pray give my most dutiful respects to my mother, my kindest love to my brothers and sisters, and believe me, dear sir, Your most dutiful and affectionate son.

LETTER 11.

From an elder to a younger Brother at school.

DEAR BROTHER,

As you are now gone from home, and placed in a very capital seminary of learning, I thought it not amiss to put you in mind, that childish amusements should be laid aside, and, instead of them, more serious thoughts imbibed, and things of more consequence made the object of your attention; whereby we may add to the reputation of our family, and gain to ourselves the good esteem of being virtuous and diligent. You may judge, in some measure, of the value of a good education, from the unavailing lamentations you daily hear those make, who have foolishly shrunk from the difficulties attending the various branches of scho lastic education. What a difference there is between an aged man of learning and one who totally neglected his education in his youth! The

former, in the evening of his life, finds a perpetual source of amusement in the knowledge he acquired in his early days, and his company is admired an I sought by all those who wish to deve understanding from the knowledge of others, improved by a long life and philosophical experience; but the ignorant old man is to company for himself, nor any one else, unless over a pitcher or a bottle, when the assistance of a pipe will be necessary to excuse his silence. I know you have too much good nature to be offended at any advice, especially when I assure you, that I as sincerely wish your happiness and advancement in life as I do my own. We are all very well, thank God, and your friends desire to be remembered to you. Pray write as often as opportunity and leisure will permit; and be assured, that a letter from you will always give great satisfaction to your parents, and to

LETTER 12.

Your affectionate brother.

From an Apprentice to his Father in praise of his Master and family.

HONORED SIR,

I know it will be a great satisfaction to you and my dear mother, to hear that I go on very happily in my business, and my master seeing my diligence, puts me forward, and encourages me in such a manner that 1 have great delight in it, and hope I shall answer in time, your good wishes and expectations, and the indulgence which you have always shown to me. There is such good order in the family, as well on my mistress's part as iny master's, that every servant knows his duty and does it with pleasure. So much evenness, sedateness and regularity is observed in all they enjoin or expect, that it is impossible but it should be so. My master an honest, worthy man; every body speaks well of him. My mistress is a cheerful, sweet tempered woman, and rather heals breaches than widens them. And the children, after such exainples behave to us all, like one's own brothers and sisters. Who can but love such a family? I wish when it shall please God to put me in such a station, that I may carry myself just as my master does; and if I should ever marry, have just such a wife as my mistress and then by God's blessing, I shall be as happy as they are; and as you, sir, and my dear nother have always been. If any thing can make me still happier than I am, or continue to me my present felicity, it will be the continuance of yours and my good mother's prayers, for, honored sir and madam, Your ever dutiful son.

LETTER 13.

From a Young Man to his Mother during his Apprenticeship.

HONORED MOTHER,

Your having retired to the country, has hindered me from writing to you as often as I could wish. Ever since I was bound to Mr. Shepard, he has treated me with every indulgence, and I have endeavored to acquire the good will of all our customers. I know that you are so straitened in your own circumstances, as not to be able to afford me pocket money; but I have the pleasure to tell you that Mrs. Howard has taken