It is an impression, which we cannot rid ourselves of if we would, when sitting by the body of a friend, that he has still a consciousness of our presence, that though the common concerns of the world have no more to do with him, he has still a love and care of us. The face which we had so long been familiar with, when it was all life and motion, seems only in a state of rest. We know not how to make it real to ourselves, that the body before us is not a living thing.

Arthur was in such a state of mind, as he sat alone in the room by hls mother, the day after her death. It was as if her soul had been in paradise, and was now holding communion with pure spirits there, though it still abcde in the body that lay before him. He felt as if sanctified by the presence of one to whom the other world had been laid open, -as if under the love and protection of one made holy. The religious reflections that his mother had early taught him, gave him strength; a spiritual composure stole over him, and he found himself prepared to perform the last offices to the dead.

It is not enough to see our friends die, and part with them for the remain der of our days, -to reflect that we shall hear their voices no more, and that they will never look on us again, to see that turning to corruption which was but just now alive, and eloquent, and beautiful with all the sensations of the soul. Are our sorrows so sacred and peculiar as to make the world as vanity to us, and the men of it as strangers, and shall we not be left to our afflictions for a few hours? Must we be brought out at such a time to the concerned or careless gaze of those we know not, or be made to bear the formal proffers of consolation from acquaintances who will go away and forget it all? Shall we not be suffered a little while a holy and healing communion with the dead? Must the kindred stillness and gloom of our dwelling be changed for the solemn show of the pall, the talk of the passers-by, and the broad and piercing light of the common sun? Must the ceremonies of the world wait on us even to the open graves of our friends?

When the hour came, Arthur rose with a firm step and fixed eye, though his whole face was tremulous with the struggle within him. He went to his sister, and took her arm within his. The bell struck. Its heavy, un dulating sound rolled forward like a sea. He felt a violent beating through his whole frame, which shook him that he reeled. It was but a momentary weakness. He moved on, passing those who surrounded him, as if they had been shadows. While he followed the slow hearse, there was a vacan cy in his eye as it rested on the coffin, which showed him hardly conscious of what was before him. His spirit was with his mother's. As he reached the grave, he shrunk back and turned deadly pale; but sinking his head upon his breast, and drawing his hat over his face, he stood motionless as a statue till the service was over.

He had gone through all that the forms of society required of him. For, as painful as the effort was, and as little suited as such forms were to his own thoughts upon the subject, yet he could not do any thing that might appear to the world like a want of reverence and respect for his mother. The scene was ended, and the inward struggle over; and now that he was left to himself, the greatness of his loss came up full and distinctly before him.

It was a dreary and chilly evening when he returned home. When he entered the house from which his mother had gone for ever, a sense o dreary emptiness oppressed him, as if his very abode had been deserted by every living thing. He walked into his mother's chamber. The naked bedstead, and the chair in which she used to sit, were all that was left in the room. As he threw himself back into the chair, he groaned in the bit terness of his spirit. A feeling of forlornness came over him, which was no to be relieved by tears. She, whom he had watched over in her dying hour

and whom he had talked to as she lay before him in death, as if she could hear and answer him, had gone from him. Nothing was left for the senses to fasten fondly on, and time had not yet taught him to think of her only as a spirit. But time and holy endeavors brought this consolation; and the little of life that a wasting disease left him, was passed by him, when alone, in thoughtful tranquillity; and amongst his friends he appeared with that gentle cheerfulness, which, before his mother's death, had been a part of his nature.*

Exercises.

Narration and Description may now be united in the history of

To the historical data which can be gleaned from any authentic source, the student may be permitted to add fictitious circumstances of his own invention.

In the same manner, he may present notices of any other character which may occur in the course of his reading or observation. He may also reverse the process of amplifying, and present an abridgement of the example.

LXIV.

EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE, OR LETTER WRITING. †

A Letter is, perhaps, one of the most common, as well as one of the most useful forms of composition, and there are few, who can read or write at all, who are not frequently called

*It is recommended that the student be required to analyze this beautiful specimen of narration united with description, by presenting a list of the particulars which enter into the narrative and descriptive parts respec tively.

† It is generally allowed, that epistolary writing, if not one of the highest, is one of the most difficult branches of composition. An elegant letter is much more rare than an elegant specimen of any other kind of writing. It is for this reason, that the author has deviated from the usual order prac tised by respectable teachers who give epistolary writing the first place in

upon to perform it. Under the head of Letter Writing, it is intended in this exercise to include all the forms of epistolary correspondence, whether in the shape of billets, notes, formal letters, or ceremonious cards, &c. It is proper to premise, that, whenever a letter is to be written, regard should be had to the usual forms of complimentary address, to the date, the superscription, and the closing. The folding, also, of the letter should not be disregarded. If it be true, that "trifles form the principal distinction between the refined and the unrefined," surely those trifles deserve some sort of consideration.

And, first, it is to be observed, that, whenever a written communication is made by one individual to another, the usages of society require that the reply should also be written; and that the same style of address should be preserved in both the communication and the reply. A different style, or form, seems to express a want of respect, or an arrogance of superior knowledge, faults equally to be avoided in the intercourse of polished society.

If the letter is written in the first person, the reply should also be in the first person. Thus, when the letter begins · "Dear Sir,

"I write to inform you," &c.,

the answer should be in the first person also; thus:

"Dear Sir,

"I have received your letter," &c., or "Your letter informing me, &c., has been received, and I hasten to say," &c.

If the letter is written in the third person, thus:

"Mr. Parker has the honor of informing the Hon. Mr Brimmer," &c.,

the answer should also be in the third person; thus:

"Mr. Brimmer has received the letter of Mr. Parker," &c.

the attention of the student. He has deemed it expedient to reserve the subject for this part of the volume, and for the practice of the student who has been previously exercised in other attempts. At this stage of his progress, he may be profitably exercised in the writing of letters. The teacher may now require him to write notes, billets, and letters addressed to a real fictitious person, announcing some event, or on some formal subject. The teacher cannot be too particular in his directions with regard to folding, sealing, &c., for early habits of negligence, or want of neatness, are with difficulty eradicated."

The name of the writer should always be subscribed to the letter when it is written in the first person, but never when it is written in the third. The date of the letter should also be written at the beginning, when the letter is written in the first person, and at the end, when it is written in the third. The address of the letter should be written under the signature, and towards the left side of the letter, when it is written in the first person, but not when it is written in the third.

A neat and well-written letter is a much more rare production than it ought to be. Few directions can be given with regard to the composition of a letter; but it is intended in this exercise to give some general directions with regard to the mechanical execution of letters, notes, and billets. And, first, with regard to Letters.

A letter should embrace the following particulars, namely: 1st. The date. 2d. The complimentary address. 3d. The body of the letter. 4th. The style, or complimentary closing. 5th. The signature; and, 6th. The address, with the title, if any.

The date should be written near the right hand upper corner of the sheet. The complimentary address follows, a little lower down, near the left hand side of the sheet. The body of the letter should be commenced very nearly under the last letter of the complimentary address. The style, or complimentary closing, should stand very nearly under the last letter of the body; the signature very nearly under the last letter of the style; and the address should be placed a little below the signature, and towards the left hand side of the sheet.

16*