I know that this letter will find you filled with grief at the loss of your dear wife. You have, indeed, suffered a great affliction. A more faithful partner never lived, and few men, I venture to say, ever enjoyed more domestic tranquility than yourself. A true wife, and a devoted mother! No higher eulogy can be pronounced upon any woman. How the little motherless children will miss her tender care! How those fragile little girls will miss her sweet presence at the evening hour, when she sat by the bedside and listened to their innocent prayers, soothing their little spirits as they dropped off to sleep! Truly the great central sun of your household has gone down, and I most truly, deeply sympathize with you in your affliction.

Let us hope, however, in the language of Scripture--"I go to prepare a place for you"- that in the golden summer of another life, children, mother and father will gather again in a sweet reunion, where partings are unknown.

Though the days are dark now, spring will come once more. Thus, I trust, pleasant days will come again for you and yours.

Send both of the little girls to our home for a month's visit, and come yourself as soon as you can find time to do so. My previously arranged departure, to-morrow, prevents my visiting you.

I have learned, with sorrow, of the death of your sister Helen. Though I never knew her personally, I knew her so well through you, that it seems as if I, myself, had lost a very near and intimate friend. I recollect her from that sweet face and gentleness of manner, as I saw her once in your company, that impressed me with the belief that she was one of the angelic ones of earth.

I know how deeply you must have grieved at her death. No one could mourn her loss so truly as yourself. Younger than you, frail and delicate, her guardianship entrusted to yourself, confiding everything to you, it was natural that to a sister's affection should be added also, almost a mother's love for your gentle sister Helen. She died, too, at How a time when life was, apparently, all blossoming before her. hard to reconcile ourselves to the loss of dear kindred, when their continued presence is so necessary to our happiness. But may we not hope that the same sweet voice, and gentle confiding heart, that was so dear to sister and kindred here, is waiting for you in the summer land. "Not dead, but gone before."

The loss of near friends thus calls for our contemplation of another life toward which we are all tending. You and I, dear M., have talked these matters over often. I know you expect to meet her on the other side; 30 do I. Believing that your faith in that golden, sunny Future, which you and I have so often considered, will sustain you, I am, Your ever Faithful Friend,

JAS. D. HENRY.

To a Friend, on the Death of a Daughter.

HARTFORD, CONN., Nov. 14, 18-.

MY DEAR FRIEND: It is with profound sorrow that I have heard of the death of dear Mary. While you have lost a dutiful and affectionate daughter, I have lost one of the dearest friends earth. Outside of yourself, I am confident no one could more fully appreciate her loss than myself. We were so much together that I can hardly reconcile myself to the thought that I can no more meet her here. True, her death teaches us that, sooner or later, we must all make the journey across that mystic river. The angels called, and, in the ways of an

all-wise Providence, it was best that she should go. We all have the ordeal to pass. Fortunate it would be if all could be as certain of being among the exalted angels as was our darling Mary. I will come and see you soon. A propos, I send you this little poem, "The Covered Bridge." Your Friend, MYRA.

THE COVERED BRIDGE.

Tell the fainting soul in the weary form,
There's a world of the purest bliss.
That is linked, as the soul and form are linked,
By a Covered Bridge, with this.

Yet to reach that realm on the other shore
We must pass through a transient gloom,
And must walk, unseen, unhelped, and alone,
Through that Covered Bridge - the tomb.

But we all pass over on equal terms,
For the universal toll

Is the outer garb, which the hand of God
Has flung around the soul.

Though the eye is dim, and the bridge is dark, And the river it spans is wide,

Yet Faith points through to a shining mount, That looms on the other side.

To enable our feet in the next day's march
To climb up that golden ridge,
We must all lie down for one night's rest
Inside of the Covered Bridge.

To a Friend, on the Death of an Infant.

PEMBERTON, Miss., Nov. 18, 18—.

MY DEAR FRIEND: I realize that this letter will find you burled in the deepest sorrow at the loss of your darling little Emma, and that words of mine will be entirely inadequate to assuage your overwhelming grief; yet I feel that I must write a few words to assure you that I am thinking of you and praying for you.

If there can be a compensating thought, it is that your darling returned to the God who gave it, pure and unspotted by the world's temptations.

The white rose and bud, I send, I trust you will permit to rest upon your darling's pillow.

With feelings of the deepest sympathy, I remain, dear friend,
Yours Very Sincerely,
MARION BRADSHAW,

To a Friend, on a Sudden Reverse of Fortune. HANNIBAL, Mo., Aug. 18, 18-.

FRIEND STEWART:

I regret to hear of your sudden and unexpected heavy loss, and hasten to offer you, not only my earnest sympathy, but aid in whatever way I can assist you.

I know your energy and hopeful spirit too well to believe that you will allow this to depress or discourage you from further effort. Perhaps there is, somewhere, a blessing in this reverse. I have had my dark days, but I learned to trust the truth of that little stanza of Cowper:

"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for His grace;
Behind a frowning Providence

He hides a smiling face."

I acknowledge the receipt of a kind invitation to be present at the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of your marriage. I have since learned that large numbers of your friends were present on the occasion, presenting you with an abundant and varied collection of silver, and other elegant and appropriate gifts.

I congratulate you and your good wife upon passing the signal station indicating a quarter of a century of blissful wedded life. That you may both live to allow your friends to celebrate your golden and diamond wedding, is the hope of

Your Sincere Friend,

Congratulating a Friend on Passing a Successful School

DEAR HELEN:

Examination.

UTICA, N. Y., April 6, 18-.

I was greatly pleased to hear, through our friend Mary, that you had, through diligent application, passed through the prescribed course of study in the Aurora public schools, and had graduated with honors. Knowing how deeply interested your parents and relatives have been in your success, it is particularly gratifying to have you reward them by the achievement of such rapid progress. Accept my best wishes for your future success. Your Friend, DELLA MAYNARD.

Congratulating an Author upon the Success of his Book.

FRIEND KEMPLE:

MARENGO, VA., May 7, 18—.

I have just finished an attentive examination of your most valuable book, and cannot wonder, after a careful reading, that it is meeting so large a sale. The world is greatly indebted to you for presenting in such an attractive form the amount of useful information you have collected within its pages.

Thanking you for the benefit I have obtained from its perusal, I remain, Yours Truly, SILAS ACKLEY.

Congratulating a Friend upon Obtaining a Business Situation.

FRIEND JOHN:

ASHBURY, PA., June 8, 18-.

I am greatly pleased to learn that, notwithstanding the general dullness of business, you have succeeded in obtaining a clerkship. I doubt not your firm will regard themselves fortunate in securing your services. In the meantime, accept my congratulations upon your success.

Hoping that your stay may be permanent and prosperous, I am,
Yours Truly,

CHARLES BELSHAW.

99

ETTERS of Introduction should be written very plainly, and should be brief, as the person introduced is compelled to wait while the letter is being read.

In introducing a person in a business capacity, state distinctly what is his business; if a professional man, his profession, and your knowledge or information of his ability.

The letter of introduction should be left unsealed. It would be great discourtesy to prevent the bearer from seeing what you have written.

As in letters of recommendation, the person giving a letter of introduction is, in a measure, responsible for the character and ability of the Hence such letters should person introduced. be guardedly written, or given with full knowedge of the person they introduce.

That the person receiving such a letter may know at a glance its character, the letter should, on the envelope, be addressed thus:

NORWAY, MAINE, July 9, 18-.

FRIEND WILLIAM: The bearer of this, Mr. Sterling Hepworth, is a dry-goods merchant in our town, who visits your city for the purpose of making purchases for his fall trade. Mr. H. is a heavy dealer in his line, pays cash for all he buys, and expects the discount accompanying cash payment. Any favor you can render him by introduction to your leading wholesale houses, or otherwise, will be appreciated by Mr. Hepworth, and acknowledged by

WILLIAM DARLING.

Your Friend,

WALTER KIMBALL.

Introducing one Lady to Another.

ROME, GA., Aug. 10, 18-. DEAR ANNABEL: I take this occasion to introduce to you the bearer of this letter, Mrs. Pemberton, who is on a visit to her relatives in your city. Mrs. P. is my very dear friend, of whom you have often heard me speak. Believing that your acquaintance with each other would be mutually agreeable, I have urged her to call upon you during. her stay. Any attention you may bestow on her, during her visit, will be highly appreciated by Your Friend, DELIA MAYBORNE.

Introducing a Gentleman seeking a Clerkship.

FRIEND PATTERSON:

DENVER, COL., Oct. 13, 18-. This letter will introduce to you my young friend, Morgan Hatfield, who has been in my employ as a clerk for the past eighteen months, and whom I would still retain, had not the disposing of a portion of my business rendered his services, with those of others of my clerks, unnecessary.

Believing that your wide influence would very materially aid him in securing a good position in the dry-goods trade in your city, I presume upon the acquaintance of an old friend in thus writing you. For reference you can use my name.

Believing that any assistance you render the young man you will not afterwards regret, I am,

A. B. PATTERSON, ESQ.

Your Friend,
HERBERT HOPKINS.

Respected Sir: The bearer, Mr. D. H. Harmon, is the son of Mrs. Lieut. W. H. Harmon, of this town, whose husband was killed at the battle of Inka, bravely defending the flag. This young man has just graduated from one of our best schools, and at my suggestion visits Washington, thinking to acquaint himself with the condition of things at the Capital, and, if the same could be obtained, would gladly occupy a clerkship for a time. Should it be in your power to grant him such a favor, it will be warmly appreciated by his mother and myself. I remain, Yours Respectfully,

V. II. MARTIN.

Introducing a Literary Lady to a Publisher.