be much more popular in the community and in society. Letter writing
cultivates the habit of study; it cultivates the mind, the heart, and
stimulates self-improvement in general.

13. FOLDING.--Another bad practice with those unaccustomed to corresponding
is to fold the sheet of writing in such a fantastic manner as to cause the
receiver much annoyance in opening it. To the sender it may appear a very
ingenious performance, but to the receiver it is only a source of vexation
and annoyance, and may prevent the communication receiving the attention it
would otherwise merit.

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.

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[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 giv