LETTER, is also a writing addressed and sent to a person. See EPISTLE.
The art of epistolary writing, as the late translator of Pliny's Letters has observed, was esteemed by the Romans in the number of liberal and polite accomplishments; and we find Cicero mentioning with great pleasure, in some of his letters to Atticus, the elegant specimen he had received from his son, of his genius in this way. It seems indeed to have formed part of their education; and, in the opinion of Mr Locke, it well deserves to have a share in ours. "The writing of letters (as that judicious author observes)
enters so much into all the occasions of life, that no gentleman can avoid shewing himself in compositions of this kind. Occurrences will daily force him to make this use of his pen, which lays open his breeding, his sense, and his abilities, to a severer examination than any oral discourse." It is to be wondered we have so few writers in our own language, who deserve to be pointed out as models upon such an occasion. After having named Sir William Temple, it would perhaps be difficult to add a second. The elegant writer of Cowley's life mentions him as excelling in this uncommon talent; but as that author declares himself of opinion, "That letters which pass between familiar friends, if they are written as they should be, can scarce ever be fit to see the light," the world is deprived of what, no doubt, would have been well worth its inspection. A late distinguished genius treats the very attempt as ridiculous, and professes himself "a mortal enemy to what they call a fine letter." His aversion however was not so strong, but he knew to conquer it when he thought proper; and the letter which closes his correspondence with bishop Atterbury is, perhaps, the most genteel and manly address that ever was penned to a friend in disgrace. The truth is, a fine letter does not consist in saying fine things, but in expressing ordinary ones in an uncommon manner. It is the proprie communia dicere, the art of giving grace and elegance to familiar occurrences, that constitutes the merit of this kind of writing. Mr Gay's letter, concerning the two lovers who were struck dead with the same flash of lightening, is a master-piece of the sort; and the specimen he has there given of his talents for this species of composition makes it much to be regretted we have not more from the same hand.
Of the Style of Epistolary Composition. Purity in the choice of words, and justness of construction, joined with perspicuity, are the chief properties of this style. Accordingly Cicero says: "In writing letters, we make use of common words and expressions." And Seneca more fully: "I would have my letters to be like my discourses, when we either sit or walk together, untudied and easy." And what prudent man, in his common discourse, aims at bright and strong figures, beautiful turns of language, or laboured periods? Nor is it always requisite to attend to exact order and method. He that is master of what he writes, will naturally enough express his thoughts without perplexity and confusion; and more than this is seldom necessary, especially in familiar letters.
Indeed, as the subjects of epistles are exceedingly various, they will necessarily require some variety in the manner of expression. If the subject be something weighty and momentous, the language should be strong and solemn; in things of a lower nature, more free and easy; and upon lighter matters, jocose and pleasant. In exhortations, it ought to be lively and vigorous; in consolations, kind and compassionate; and in advising, grave and serious. In narratives, it should be clear and distinct; in requests, modest; in commendations, friendly; in prosperity cheerful, and mournful in adversity. In a word, the style ought to be accommodated to the particular nature of the thing
Letter. about which it is conversant.
Besides, the different character of the person, to whom the letter is written, requires a like difference in the modes of expression. We do not use the same language to private persons, and those in a public station; to superiors, inferiors, and equals. Nor do we express ourselves alike to old men and young, to the grave and facetious, to courtiers and philosophers, to our friends and strangers. Superiors are to be addressed to with respect, inferiors with courtesy, and equals with civility; and every one's character, station, and circumstances in life, with the relation we stand in to him, occasions some variety in this respect. But when friends and acquaintances correspond by letters, it carries them into all the freedom and good-humour of conversation; and the nearer it resembles that the better, since it is designed to supply the room of it. For when friends cannot enjoy each other's company, the next satisfaction is to converse with each other by letters. Indeed, sometimes greater freedom is used in epistles, than the same persons would have taken in discoursing together; because, as Cicero says, "A letter does not blush." But still nothing ought to be said in a letter, which, considered in itself, would not have been fit to say in discourse; though modesty perhaps, or some other particular reason, might have prevented it. And thus it frequently happens in requests, reproofs, and other circumstances of life. A man can ask that by writing, which he could not do by words, if present; or blame what he thinks amiss in his friend with greater liberty when absent, than if they were together. From hence it is easy to judge of the fitness of any expression to stand in an epistle, only by considering, whether the same way of speaking would be proper in talking with the same person. Indeed, this difference may be allowed, that as persons have more time to think, when they write, than when they speak; a greater accuracy of language may sometimes be expected in one, than the other. However, this makes no odds as to the kind of style; for every one would choose to speak as correctly as he writes, if he could. And therefore all such words and expressions, as are unbecoming in conversation, should be avoided in letters; and a manly simplicity free of all affectation, plain, but decent and agreeable, should run through the whole. This is the usual style of Cicero's epistles, in which the plainness and simplicity of his diction, is accompanied with something so pleasant and engaging, that he keeps up the attention of his reader, without suffering him to tire. On the other hand, Pliny's style is succinct and witty; but generally so full of turns and quibbles upon the sound of words, as apparently render it more stiff and affected than agrees with conversation, or than a man of sense would choose in discourse, were it in his power. You may in some measure judge of Pliny's manner, by one short letter to his friend, which runs thus: "How fare you? "As I do in the country? pleasantly? that is, at "leisure? For which reason I do not care to write long "letters, but to read them; the one as the effect of "niceness, and the other of idleness. For nothing "is more idle than your nice folks, or curious than "your idle ones. Farewell." Every sentence here consists of an antithesis, and a jingle of words, very
different from the style of conversation, and plainly the effect of study. But this was owing to the age in which he lived, at which time the Roman eloquence was sunk into puns, and an affectation of wit; for he was otherwise a man of fine sense, and great learning.
LETTER of Attorney, in law, is a writing by which one person authorizes another to do some lawful act in his stead; as to give seisin of lands, to receive debts, sue a third person, &c.
The nature of this instrument is to transfer to the person to whom it is given, the whole power of the maker, to enable him to accomplish the act intended to be performed. It is either general or special: and sometimes it is made revocable, which is when a bare authority is only given; and sometimes it is irrevocable, as where debts, &c. are assigned from one person to another. It is generally held, that the power granted to the attorney must be strictly pursued; and that where it is made to three persons, two cannot execute it. In most cases, the power given by a letter of attorney determines upon the death of the person who gave it. No letter of attorney made by any seaman, &c. in any ship of war, or having letters of marque, or by their executors, &c. in order to empower any person to receive any share of prizes or bounty-money, shall be valid, unless the same be made revocable, and for the use of such seamen, and be signed and executed before, and attested by, the captain and one other of the signing officers of the ship, or the mayor or chief magistrate of some corporation.
LETTER of Mart, or Marque. See MARQUE.