an write at all, but what can write well, if only the necessary pains
are practiced. Practice makes perfect. Secure a few copy books and
write an hour each day. You will soon write a good hand.

5. WRITE PLAINLY.--Every word of even the most trifling document
should be written in such clear characters that it would be impossible
to mistake it for another word, or the writer may find himself in the
position of the Eastern merchant who, writing to the Indies for five
thousand mangoes, received by the next vessel five hundred monkies,
with a promise of more in the next cargo.

6. HASTE.--Hurry is no excuse for bad writing, because any one of
sense knows that everything hurried is liable to be ruined. Dispatch
may be acquired, but hurry will ruin everything. If, however, you must
write slowly to write well, then be careful not to hurry at all, for
the few moments you will gain by rapid writing will never compensate
you for the disgrace of sending an ill-written letter.

7. NEATNESS.--Neatness is also of great importance. A fair white sheet
with handsomely written words will be more welcome to any reader than
a blotted, bedaubed page covered with erasures and dirt, even if
the matter in each be of equal value and interest. Erasures, blots,
interlineations always spoil the beauty of any letter.

8. BAD SPELLING.--When those who from faulty education, or
forgetfulness are doubtful about the correct spelling of any word,
it is best to keep a dictionary at hand, and refer to it upon such
occasions. It is far better to spend a few moments in seeking for a
doubtful word, than to dispatch an ill-spelled letter, and the
search will probably impress the spelling upon the mind for a future
occasion.

9. CARELESSNESS.--Incorrect spelling will expose the most important
or interesting letter to the severest sarcasm and ridicule. However
perfect in all other respects, no epistle that is badly spelled will
be regarded as the work of an educated gentleman or lady. Carelessness
will never be considered, and to be ignorant of spelling is to expose
an imperfect education at once.

10. AN EXCELLENT PRACTICE.--After writing a letter, read it over
carefully, correct all the errors and re-write it. If you desire to
become a good letter writer, improve your penmanship, improve your
language and grammar, re-writing once or twice every letter that you
have occasion to write, whether on social or business subjects.

11. PUNCTUATION.--A good ru