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LETTERS OF APPLICATION.

Inasmuch as an applicant's fitness for a place is often to some extent judged by his letters, the writer of a Letter of Application should compose such a letter with great care, making it strictly correct in all its essentials as to both orthography and form. The penmanship should be neat and plain, and the language employed clear and concise.

The writer may state briefly his qualifications for the position sought, but as to his moral character and his special fitness for the position sought, it is best to give references.

The following are specimen letters of application :

Jas. L. Clark, Esq.,

(1.)

Wilmington, Del., July 3, 1887.

Pres. Board of Directors,

Linwood, Pa.

Dear Sir,-I have just learned that the principalship of your schools is vacant. Permit me to offer myself as a candidate for the vacant position.

I am a graduate of a Pennsylvania State Normai School, and have since my graduation taught three years successfully in the schools of Wilmington.

As to my personal fitness for the place, I shall be glad to have you correspond with Supt. D. S. Harlan of Wilmington, under whose supervision I have taught for the past three years.

Find enclosed copies of testimonials from Supt. T. N. Williams and Rev. Henry W. Johnson.

Very respectfully,

Samuel W. Wilson.

(2.)

Trenton, N. J., June 6, 1887.

Messrs. Thompson & Co.,

173 Market St., Phila.

Dear Sirs,

Having learned that you are in need of a bookkeeper. 1 desire to make application for the position.

I have had five years' experience in my present position, and I refer you, by permission, to my present employers, Marsh & Co., as to my competency.

Should a personal interview be desired, I shall be glad to present myself at such time and place as you may be pleased

to name.

Very respectfully,

James Matthews.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.

Letters of Recommendation should never be given to persons who are not known to be worthy of receiving them, nor should such letters express more than the truth. The practice of giving letters of recommendation to persons discharged for incompetency is reprehensible, and brings only reproach on those who recommend. It ought to be the pride of every man who writes a letter of recommendation to feel that his letter will have weight because it is known that he recommends only the deserving and the competent, and recommends truthfully.

Recommendations addressed to an individual or a firm are known as special; those without an address are known as general.

The following will illustrate both forms:

1. SPECIAL RECOMMENDATION

Hon George Gray,

Wilmington, Del.

Baltimore, Md., Jan. 7, 1887,

Dear Sir,-It gives me pleasure to recommend to you Mr. Albert B. Jones, the bearer of this, as a young man of great personal worth.

He desires to enter upon the study of law under your direction, and fit himself for the practice of that profession. He is a young man of strict integrity and faithful in every particular. I trust that you may be willing to take him under your care. I think you will find him worthy of your confidence.

Very respectfully,

H. B. Anderson.

2. GENERAL RECOMMENDATION.

To whom it may concern:

State Normal School, Buffalo, N. Y., May 6, 1886.

It affords me pleasure to testify to the excellent character and marked teaching ability of Miss Mary S. Allen, who has just graduated from this institution.

She is a young lady of superior scholarship and great energy, and possesses in a marked degree that self-control so necessary to the skillful disciplinarian.

I very cheerfully commend her to any school desiring the services of an excellent teacher.

Very respectfully,

A. C. Apgar.

Note. The beginning of a letter of recommendation seems to many people the most difficult part of the letter. The foregoing forms may be used. The following are also correct:

1. “Mr. Samuel Adams being about to leave my employ, it gives me great pleasure to testify," etc.

2. "Mr. Samuel Adams, the bearer, who is leaving my employ, has been," etc.

3. "This is to certify that Mr. Samuel Adams, who has been in my employ for the past five years," etc.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS ON LETTER-WRITING.

All favors or courteous attentions that require acknowledgment should be acknowledged promptly.

When one has been on a visit to a friend living at some distance, he should, on returning home, write at once of his safe arrival and his appreciation of the hospitality he has enjoyed.

Crossed letters should not be sent even to near relatives. Letters about one's own affairs, when requiring an answer, should contain a stamp or a stamped envelope for return postage.

Social letters should never be written on foolscap paper nor on half sheets.

White or delicately-tinted paper is the best and most tasteful.

In writing to a stranger it is best for the writer to sign his full name.

A note written in the third person should never have the writer's signature attached.

In replying to a note written in the first person it is highly impolite for the one who answers to use the third person.

"Honorable" and similar titles should not be prefixed

to one's name by the writer himself.

A letter of introduction, if sent by post, should contain the card of the person introduced, and should be sealed. In every letter you compose write plainly, spell correctly, and use the best language at your command.

PART II.

RHETORIC.

Rhetoric treats of discourse. It is both a science and an art.

As a science, rhetoric investigates and defines the principles of correct composition; as an art, it enables us to apply these principles in expressing our thoughts.

The Meaning of the word Rhetoric.-The word "rhetoric," derived from the Greek rhetor, a speaker, was originally limited to the art of oratory or spoken discourse. But since the principles which apply to spoken discourse apply with equal force to written discourse, the meaning of the term has been so extended as to include both written and spoken composition.

The Relation of Rhetoric to Grammar and Logic. -Rhetoric necessarily involves a knowledge of Grammar and of Logic, and is therefore closely related to both. It is evident that composition to be effective must be not only correct in language, but also consistent in thought. That is, the sentence must be constructed in accordance with established good usage of language, which it is the office of Grammar to make known; and the ideas must be expressed in accordance with the laws

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