Han. G. L. Banks, Lycoming Co. Introducing Beer Wm. Bun Meiss Annie Ward, Al Hams Politeness of Moiss Buggs M31. J. I Spencer Courtesy of Mr. Owens 4. General Rules for Writing Letters. The subject is of such great practical importance that a few general directions may be given in this connection. (1) Answer promptly. It is not meant that every letter should be answered at once. This is often impossible, and even undesirable when reflection is necessary. The principle should be to reply without needless delay. This is due to every correspondent who deserves any attention. If it be said that this direction has nothing to do with composition, it should be remembered that the character of the letter is greatly affected by the delay in writing. (2) Write every letter carefully. It is natural to slight such common and familiar things as letters, yet, on the whole, there is scarcely any other one form of writing by which men are so generally judged by their acquaintances. Even among educated men there are comparatively few good writers of letters. Violations of grammar and bad spelling often cost men positions of honor and profit. (3) Express your thoughts with directness. Some writers who are plain in conversation become sentimental, others verbose, others flowery, in their letters. Every form of affectation should be avoided. A letter should be a natural expression of one's thoughts and feelings. (4) Study neatness in folding and sealing. If the sheet is note-paper, fold No. 1 over No. 2, and then bring down No. 3, as in the following diagram : No. 3. No. 2. No. 1. If the sheet is letter-paper, fold No. 1 over No. 2, and treat the folded sheet as in the case of note-paper, as follows: No. 1, No. 2. SECTION IV. ORATIONS. 1. The Nature of an Oration. AN ORATION (from the Latin orare, to speak in a pleading manner) differs from other forms of discourse in three respects: (1) it is designed to be heard, not read; (2) it aims at persuading the mind of some truth or to some course of action; (3) it presupposes an audience composed of various grades of intelligence and culture. It is not the end of an oration to convince the understanding merely. Conviction may be used as a means of persuasion, but, generally, an awakening of the feelings is combined with the use of facts and arguments. An oration attempts to move the will through the intellect and the emotions. An oration aims to realize the highest eloquence. It is the emotional element in oratory which makes it truly eloquent. This is the opinion of the greatest American orator, and his words are worthy of careful study by every student of the oratorical art. Says Webster: "True eloquence, indeed, does not consist in speech. It cannot be brought from far. Labor and learning may toil for it, but they will toil in vain. Words and phrases may be marshalled in every way, but they cannot compass it. It must exist in the man, in the subject, and in the occasion. Affected passion, intense expression, the pomp of declamation, all may aspire after it,-they cannot reach it. It comes, if it come at all, like the outbreaking of a fountain from the earth, or the bursting forth of volcanic ares, with spontaneous, original, native force." 2. Kinds of Oratory. Oratory has been variously divided by rhetoricians. Aristotle's division is the oldest and, probably, the |