The Letter Writer
From a young Miss to her Parents
I hope that my dear papa and mamma will excuse the badress of the writing of this letter, when they shall be pleased to recollect that this…
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…
From a young Miss to her Brother in the country
DEAR 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…
Answer to the preceding
DEAR SISTER: 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…
From the Daughter to the Mother, in excuse for her neglect
HONORED MADAM: 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…
From a young Lady to her Mother
HONORED MOTHER: In my last I informed you that my worthy benefactress, Mrs. Walton, had been extremely ill; I have the pleasure to assure…
From a Mother in town, to a Daughter at school in the country, recommending the practice of Virtue
DEAR CHILD: Although we are separated in person, yet you are never absent from my thoughts; and it is my continual practice to recommend…
The Daughter's Answer
HONORED MOTHER: I am so much affected by the perusal of your kind parental advice, that I can scarcely hold the pen to write an answer; but…
From a young Woman just gone to service in New-York, to her Mother in the country
DEAR MOTHER: It is now a month that I have been at Mr. Eastman's, and I thank God that I like my place so well. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman are…
The Mother's Answer
MY DEAR CHILD: I am glad to hear that you have got into so good a family. You know that we never should have parted from you, had it not…
From a young Woman, a servant in New-York, to her Parents, desiring their consent to marry
HONORED FATHER AND MOTHER: I have sent this to inform you, that one Mr. Blanchard, a young man, a cabinet maker, has paid his addresses to…
The Parent's Answer
DEAR CHILD: We received your letter by Mr.
From a Daughter to her Father, pleading for her Sister, who had married without his consent
HONORED SIR: The kind indulgence you have always shown to your children, makes me presume to become an advocate for my sister, though not…
The Father's Answer
DEAR NANCY: You must believe that your sister's unadvised marriage, which she must know would be disagreeable to me, gives me no small…
From a young Gentleman to a Lady with whom he is in love
MADAM: I have three times attempted to give you a verbal relation of the contents of this letter; but my heart has as often failed. I know…
The Lady's Answer
SIR: I received your letter last night, and as it was on a subject I had not yet any thoughts of, you will not wonder when I tell you I was…
The Gentleman's Reply
DEAR MADAM: I return you a thousand thanks for your letter, and it is with the greatest pleasure I can clear up to your satisfaction the…
From the young Gentleman's Mother to the young Lady
DEAR MISS: If you find any thing in these lines improperly written, you will candidly excuse it, as coming from the hands of a parent, in…
The young Lady's Answer
MADAM: I will excuse the fondness of a tender mother for her only child. I had heard before of the unaffected piety and the many…
From the same
SIR: In my last I told you that you should hear from me as soon as possible, and therefore I now sit down to fulfil my promise. I…
The young Gentleman's Answer
MY DEAR GIRL: Is there any medium between pleasure and pain? Can mourning and mirth be reconciled? Will you, believe, my dear, that whilst…
From the Lady after marriage, to an unmarried Cousin
DEAR COUSIN: I have now changed my name, and instead of liberty, must subscribe wife. What an awkward expression, say some; how pleasing…
From a young Merchant in New-York, to a Widow Lady in the country
MADAM: Ever since I saw you at the Springs, when I was on a journey to the north, my mind has been continually ruminating on your many…
The Lady's Letter to her Brother, an Attorney, concerning the above
DEAR BROTHER: You know that in all affairs of importance I have constantly acted by your advice, as I am still determined to do; and…
The Brother's Answer
DEAR SISTER: I am glad to hear of your prudence in not being very hasty in an affair of so great importance, and upon which your happiness…
From the Lady to Mr. Moreton
SIR: I received your letter, and my reason for delaying an answer, was, that I wanted first to consult my brother, whose opinion I had by…
From a young Officer to a Lady with whom he is in love
DEAR SOPHIA: When our regiment received orders to march from West Point, I was almost in a state of distraction. To be forced to leave her…
The Officer's Letter to the Lady's Father
HONORED SIR: The generosity which I experienced from you whilst our regiment was stationed at West Point, will ever lay me under the…
The young Lady's Letter to her Lover
DEAR WILLIAM: Not more welcome is the appearance of an inn to a weary traveler, than was your kind letter to me. But how is it possible…
The Father's Answer to the young Gentleman
MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND: Ever since I first had the pleasure of your conversation, I considered you as a young gentleman of real merit, who…
From a young Man just out of his Apprenticeship, to his Sweetheart in the neighborhood
DEAR SALLY: I have been long in love with you, but was afraid to tell you. I think of you all day, and at night I dream of my dear Sally. I…
From a Lover to his Mistress, lately recovered from sickness
MY DEAR: This day's post has brought me the joyful news of your happy recovery. The indispensable necessity I was under of attending my…
The Mistress's Answer
DEAR JACK: I received your very kind letter, but I do not know what to say in answer. Although I would be glad to marry, yet you men are so…
From a Father to his Daughters, on Courtship and Coquettish Behavior
DEAR DAUGHTERS: If you see evident proofs of a gentleman's attachment, and are determined to shut your heart against him, as you ever hope…
From the same to the same, on Marriage
DEAR DAUGHTERS: I could never pretend to advise whom you should marry; but I can with confidence advise whom you should not marry.