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home. Fancy, then, the measure of my happi-
ness when your letter arrived, opening up the
prospect of not only a most delightful change,
but, what I value more, a renewal of the ac-
guaintance . , yourself and
aughters, which I feared was likely to cease, 80
-glight were my claims to be remembered. .
-shall make a point of being ready on the
, and leave by the -—-—, which, I under-
stand, iy timed to reach — about .
j when I trust the opportunity will be afforded me
of telling you how very deeply I am indebted for
your kindness. : ; .
‘ . ° Believe me,
4 My dear Mrs. ——,
. : Yours sincerely,
(-——
+)
No.3. . |
Answer to an Invitation Negatively. -
{Address—-———__——_)
(Date in full
My pear Mrs. ———:
IT am fortunate in having so kind a
as yourself at all times, but more
especially af this season, when one longs for a
complete change of scene and air; and were it
not that the fulfillment of a promise of long
standing has been claimed by a near relation,
would instantly begin packing, and viva voce as-
sure you how very sensible I am of your good-
ness in bearing me in mind.
I am fond of the sew and everything that
breathes of if, and nol less so of the meadows
and their sweet fresh air, and nothing would
prove more délightful than to pass these long
summer days as one of your family circle. But
imperative duty willa it otherwise, and I must
eontent myself with a much less decided change
—at least for some time to come. I do not, how-
ever, appreciate the kindness of your invitation
any the fess, and I am sure you will understand
mé when I say that the remembrance of it will
afford me no little pleasure where Lam going
and where I may be afterwards. .
Allow gne to thank Mr. -——— and the young
ladies, and yourself very warmly, ~
And believe me,
My dear Mrs. ——,
Yours singerely,
bend:
)
a No. 4.
From a Lady inviting a Friend to join Her in
os Town. :
(Address —
+ {Date in fall—__———_
My pear ALICE:
It is now so long since you were here
that I have grown quite anxious to see you, and
Judge how you are looking in these days of in-
eecsaant changes. For, although I have no rea-
zon to think that time has been uncharitable to
you, I would be more at rest were you with us
and submissively answering all my questions.
_ Letters you know contain at the best only mere
morsels of news compared with the substantial
fare, which a good long chat affords, and besides
they entail upon one the labor of writing and se-
lecting, what we fancy, in our conceit, are the
best bita of our secrets, and this duty Lam most
selfishly wishful to avoid. I have so much,
however, to say that unless you compassionately
fiy to my relief I shall bo compelled to discharge
- my mind on paper—a contingency which George
ee
°
and the children dread as much as I do.
cry therefore is, Come! and that swiftly, if even
you can only spare a week out of the fifty-two.
Be under no apprehension about room or up-
setting us, for your old nest awaits your coming,
and wo are really so quiet that it would indeed
be a charity to upset or otherwise force us to
move about with something like rational brisk-
ness.
But if we are living hke drones now, don't
suppose that we mean to remain inactive, or that
Iam asking you to come to relieve the tedium
of our existence, for we have been planning sev-
eral not very grand, but let me hope, enjoyable
gatherings of the nicest people we know, and
other waya and means of killing time, which will
help to enliven ua daring the long nights. _
Now unless something very extraordinary
happena I shall expect to see you before the end
of the month, and if you disappoint us I will
take yon severely to task at Christmas.: But in
any casa write, and also give my love to all at
the ° : ; .
And believe me,
My dear Alice, :
. . Yours affectionately, j
5 é
STANDARD LETTER-WRITER.
No. 5. me
* Answer accepting an Invitation to Town.
o : (Address.
(Date in full.
My pear Mary: : -
It is always agreeable to hear from
you, and only a little less pleasant writing to
ou, and were letters to pass more frequently
etween us, I, at least, would open the post-bay
with greater eagerness. But how can I expect
you to write as we promised before your mar-
riagé, at the shortest of intervals, while your
busy little hive necessarily oceupies so much of
your time? Itis very kind of you and George
to think of me, and include me in your winter
plans, and I shall be glad to take* possession of
the cosy room you say is mine—at least for a
little while. For really we are very dull here,
and since the boys left I have felt rather keenly
the want of some one charitable enough to keep
me alive, that is, concerning the outer world.
We have had very few visitors lately, probably
owing to the heavy rains in this part ot the coun-
try, and those who succeeded: in reaching us
were too full of business to discuss the news of
the day, so you can judge by this of the state of
your old friend’s mind, cut off as she has been
from even the outer rim of intellectual society,
Knowing that nature abhors a vacuum, the un-
pleasant reflection is foreéd upon her that rank
weeds are rapidly choking the few things in her
mind worth remembering. :
I went out this morning to get, if I could, a
wild nosegay for you, but our tlowers have al-
most gone, all but the second bloom of the pur-
ple violet and the pretty white flowers of the
pyroia, which [ was faim to gather as the last of
our sweet visitors this year. All our trees are
fast disrobing and assuming that ashy hue that
tells me that the winter’s frost and snow are at
hand. I look forward with more than interest
to the 14th, the day I have arranged with my
father to transport myself from his to your fire-
side, unless prevented by some untoward event.
Remember me kindly to George, and give my
love to the children,
- And believe me,
- My dear Mary,
Your affectionate
(—.
L
No. 6. .
Ansier to an invitation to Town negatively.
(Address).
(Date in full.
)
My pear Many:
. Your kind letter pleased and amused
me, and were I free to consult my own wishes
I would gladly spend a week or two with you
and George in preference to remaining here or
visiting any of ny other friends. But as my aunt
is still in Pennsylvania, and has fixed no time for
coming home, I amas good asin captivity for
the present, and when I shalt be released is
beyond human ken.
read your letter to my father, and he said,
“Go by all means,” professing to be rather
pleased at the prospect of being Toft alone, but
when his mood changed I saw that he would
feel my absence sorely were I to take him at his
word. As soon, however as my aunt returns
my scruples will disappear, and if your invita-
tion remains good until then you may depend
upon it I shall not content myself until I am in
possession of my old nest, as you are pleased to
call the prettiest and snuggest room in the
whole house. Thank George very kindly for re-
membering me, and wishing you were as near
as you are dear to me, .
elieve me, .
My dear Mary,
Ever yours sincerely,
No. 7.
From a Lady inviting her Son’s Friend (an In-
' valid) to visit the Family.
(Address-——________)
(Date in fall—.
Dear Sm: ; d
Edward’s parcel which you were so
good as to take charge of before leaving Boston
arrive? this morning, increasing the obligation
wo were already under for your kindness to him
abroad, and as we are all anxious to thank you
we shall be happy to see you here as soon as
you can conveniently travel. I understand
from his last letter that yo@ were not very well
on leaving, and your object at home was more to
regain strength than visit muck, ButLam in
My pear Mrs.
hopes the voyage has benefited you so material-
ly that you will not feel it necessary to deny
your friends, ourselves among the number, the
pleasure of seeing you. The air here is very
mild and pure, and more than one physician of
my acquaintance recommends this neighbor- .
hood as one of the best for recruiting an invalid’s .
strength. I think itis worth a trial before you
, decide in favor of any other. - oo
. am, .
Dear Sir, - too
Yours very truly, ‘
- ey |
To ——_—_—_, Esquire. st
e
No. 8.
From a Lady inviting another to meet a Friend
. trom Abroad. . Co
(Address——
~» (Date in fall.
J
’ 38 , from ———, is at. present
on a visit here, and has expressed a wish to re-
new the intimacy which was begun when you
were living at a few years ago, and ast
am quite charmed with her simple unaffected
manner and really striking intelligence, let me
add to her wish an entreaty that you will come
to us before she leaves for the West. She has
not. yet tixed a day for leaving, but she has so
many friends, not only in the West, butit appears
to me in all parts of the world, that I shall con-
sider myself highly favored if she remains with
us over Thursday. Pray come by the noon train
to-morrow, and we will walk ‘as far as the
station and meet you. ,
Believe me, :
My dear Mrs. ——, .
Ever sincerely yours, ,
My pear Mrs,
- .)
No. 9.
Answer accepting Invitation.
. (Address———_——_—-—_}
(Date in ful——-————__} ~
You are very kind in expressing Miss
-———’s wish, and ‘adding your own entreaty,
that I should meet her, as Iparticularly wished
to renew our former intimacy. So many changes,
however, have taken place since we met that 1
thought it unlikely she would care to remember
me. Butit appears I have been doing her an in-
justice, for which I shall endeavor to make her
amends to-morrow. It is quite impossible for
me to leave here before, but I sball take care
not to miss the noon train, and if you are both
at the station I shall be delighted.
clieve me, 4
My dear Mrs. ’
. ver singerely yours,
.
. . No, 10.
Answer to Invitation negatively.
{Address—-____—-)
(Date in fal——_—————+_
My prar Mrs. :
It would afford me no little happiness
were.T able to leave my little ones here and see
Tiss before she leaves this part of the
country, as Iremember more than one act of
kindness of hers by which I bénefited before she
went abroad. And I never had an opportunity
worth speaking of at the time I refer to of thank-
ing her as she deserved to be thanked. You may
be sure, therefore, that no slight matter detains
me at home, now that shais with you, and as far
as I can see at present I shall be compelled tore~
main stationary for the next few weeks. You
may not be aware that both Jane and Martha aro
confined to the house through, however, no really
serious illness, but one which might assume &
dangerous form were it aggravated by any want
of attention on my part. You and Miss——
would, I am convinced, be the first people to
blame me were Ito run away just now, and oD
that account, if on no other, Trust deny myself
the gratification held ong in -your.kind letter.
You will add to my indebtedness by assuring
——— that she has always occupied *
large place in my esteem, and accepting To
pting you
self my warmest thanks for writing so urgently.
elieve me,
My dear Mrs, ——,
Ever sincerely yours,
(———-
>