14.  Simple style.—­The style of letter writing should be simple and unaffected, not raised on stilts and indulging in pedantic displays which are mostly regarded as cloaks of ignorance.  Repeated literary quotations, involved sentences, long-sounding words and scraps of Latin, French and other languages are, generally speaking, out of place, and should not be indulged in.

15.  The result.—­A well written letter has opened the way to prosperity for many a one, has led to many a happy marriage and constant friendship, and has secured many a good service in time of need; for it is in some measure a photograph of the writer, and may inspire love or hatred, regard or aversion in the reader, just as the glimpse of a portrait often determine us, in our estimate, of the worth of the person represented.  Therefore, one of the roads to fortune runs through the ink bottle, and if we want to attain a certain end in love, friendship or business, we must trace out the route correctly with the pen in our hand.

[Illustration]

* * * * *

How to write A love letter.

1.  Love.—­There is no greater or more profound reality than love.  Why that reality should be obscured by mere sentimentalism, with all its train of absurdities is incomprehensible.  There is no nobler possession than the love of another.  There is no higher gift from one human being to another than love.  The gift and the possession are true sanctifiers of life, and should be worn as precious jewels, without affectation and without bashfulness.  For this reason there is nothing to be ashamed of in a love letter, provided it be sincere.

2.  Forfeits.—­No man need consider that he forfeits dignity if he speaks with his whole heart:  no woman need fear she forfeits her womanly attributes if she responds as her heart bids her respond.  “Perfect love casteth out fear” is as true now as when the maxim was first given to the world.

3.  Telling their love.—­The generality of the sex is, love to be loved; how are they to know the fact that they are loved unless they are told?  To write a sensible love letter requires more talent than to solve, with your pen, a profound problem in philosophy.  Lovers must not then expect much from each other’s epistles.

4.  Confidential.—­Ladies and gentlemen who correspond with each other should never be guilty of exposing any of the contents of any letters written expressing confidence, attachment or love.  The man who confides in a lady and honors her with his confidence should be treated with perfect security and respect, and those who delight in showing their confidential letters to others are unworthy, heartless and unsafe companions.

5.  Return of letters.—­If letters were written under circumstances which no longer exist and all confidential relations are at an end, then all letters should be promptly returned.