Letters of business will not only admit of, but be the better for certain graces—­but then, they must be scattered with a sparing and skillful hand; they must fit their place exactly.  They must decently adorn without encumbering, and modestly shine without glaring.  But as this is the, utmost degree of perfection in letters of business, I would not advise you to attempt those embellishments, till you have first laid your foundation well.

Cardinal d’Ossat’s letters are the true letters of business; those of Monsieur d’Avaux are excellent; Sir William Temple’s are very pleasing, but, I fear, too affected.  Carefully avoid all Greek or Latin quotations; and bring no precedents from the virtuous SPARTANS, the polite Athenians, and the Brave Romans.  Leave all that to futile pedants.  No flourishes, no declamation.  But (I repeat it again) there is an elegant simplicity and dignity of style absolutely necessary for good letters of business; attend to that carefully.  Let your periods be harmonious, without seeming to be labored; and let them not be too long, for that always occasions a degree of obscurity.  I should not mention correct orthography, but that you very often fail in that particular, which will bring ridicule upon you; for no man is allowed to spell ill.  I wish too that your handwriting were much better; and I cannot conceive why it is not, since every man may certainly write whatever hand he pleases.  Neatness in folding up, sealing, and directing your packets, is by no means to be neglected; though, I dare say, you think it is.  But there is something in the exterior, even of a packet, that may please or displease; and consequently worth some attention.

You say that your time is very well employed; and so it is, though as yet only in the outlines, and first routine of business.  They are previously necessary to be known; they smooth the way for parts and dexterity.  Business requires no conjuration nor supernatural talents, as people unacquainted with it are apt to think.  Method, diligence, and discretion, will carry a man, of good strong common sense, much higher than the finest parts, without them, can do.  ‘Par negotiis, neque supra’, is the true character of a man of business; but then it implies ready attention and no absences, and a flexibility and versatility of attention from one object to another, without being engrossed by anyone.

Be upon your guard against the pedantry and affectation of business which young people are apt to fall into, from the pride of being concerned in it young.  They look thoughtful, complain of the weight of business, throw out mysterious hints, and seem big with secrets which they do not know.  Do you, on the contrary, never talk of business but to those with whom you are to transact it; and learn to seem vacuus and idle, when you have the most business.  Of all things, the ‘volte sciollo’, and the ’pensieri stretti’, are necessary.  Adieu.