Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-04-05
Writing Letters.

I
L.. !. bridgenan, in April Wide-1w1se
Writing Letters.
There are many young people who are
intelligent and well-intormed. and can talk
pleasantly on many different subjects, who
vet find the writing of letters burden, and
who are, IN consequence, very poor core
spondents, to their own modification and
often to the annoyance OF their friends. We
all find. sooner or later that many things
which seem difficult, indeed almost impos-
sible, when we do not understand how to
do them, become after a little experience,
simple and essy.
How often one hears a group Of boys and
girls talking over their likes and dIsHkes.
One saws, " hate to read aloud, and an
other responds that she loves TO read aloud.
bat cannot endure sewing; and SO the con-
ve-sation goes on from one thing to an
other. until the listener Is amazed al the
contrary opinions which are expressed.
Now, if you will inquire into this little,
vou viii find that the things which people
ike u do are those which they know how
to do we'll. | think that Is Just the reason
why so many young people find II 80 diff
cult to write letters: they do not know Just
the best way of doing it.
As every reader Of this viii be obliged 10
write many letters in the course Of time,
whether the work Is liked or not it seems
worth while to give little time to learn
ing 10 do it easily, so that instead Of being
Z. burden, it may become pleasure. Per
maps | can give few hints which may
heip some OF You.
You may imagine that if you had great
deal that was interesting to tell, you could
write charming letters; but those VINO have
had the experience will tell you that this
Ii not the case, for many OF the most brill
liant letter-writers have passed very
quiet, uneventful lives, having little to
record beyond the small details Of
quiet DAYS at home. A real artist, like the
wonderful Dutch painter, Gerard Dow, can
make a beautiful picture OF the corner OF a
kitchen. which contains nothing but few
pots and pans and handful Of vegetables
while an unskilied hand can only make 4
c2ub Of the most charming landscape IN
the world. 1t Is not so much what Is told,
as the way Of telling it, which makes let
;e- dull or interesting, 50 YOU need not be
discouraged because vou do not have great
events TO record for the benefit Of your cor
respondents; only try and use what ma
;eria you have in the best way. Always
remember that the object Of writing let
Ter il not TO get a uieagreedbie duty OFT
vour mind, bu; % give pleasure 10 your
friend, and, a. vOu DO not talk on tie
sane subjects to al you. acquaintance
SC You want, 49, far As possible, 10
write Of those things which ~eciaily in
.evest each individual. Try and make your
.etter as much Ike conversation a. posi-
ole. Tell what vou are doing, what letters
you have received from mutual friends, and
the characteristic details OF your everyday
lie Write about the things winch you
would talk of, If you could meet your friend
laoe to face for writing Is only talking ON
paper, and letters can speak Of trld,v- and
vet not be trivial. Some writers seem to
se able to give You look into the room
,,kere thpv are sitting. and YOU feel, when
you have finished reading. as # you had
made a call on the household. Thee are
the letters which people love IL receive
and II. in the course q tins imaginary
visit, YOU have found out the opinion of
your friends ON what as going orr lu the
World. and what Is occupying their ,Iuo
.ad thoughts, 81 much The better.
Those who are dIlatorv in answering let
te-s do not save ther-elye- any trouble.
far II rs never 20 easy TO reply Is when a
letter IS lust reserved and the impression
II made upon You is fresh In your mind.
100 will not forget. then. 20 answer all the
Questions which have been asked, and u
express vour opinion on the subjects which
your friend has mentioned There is no
nec.,sitv of making great affair Of writ-
no q letter Done, get iuto the way Of
thinking thatyuu cannot write until vou
have several hour- at leisure. Nlg can
,s~y ..,,r, tcetlstou yourself a. writing az
odd moments. lust q. Won can have iittle
chat 81 .he intervals d. other work. and in
-,s ysy Won will not allow unanswered
fs,t,,s T. arrumuIete until Won mast 81,
49,, and writ. 2 GOOD MANY At once. a
,~r,sc,..sq which IL ikcN 10 prove no,
-, r.,5-,,,s ~, the winter I'm, duh 10 III,
- Nv s,,rb communication. aye apt Il
80. ,,.-,la cali o3rty letters and M,
~. r., D. .,-.,, rho fee- -tg, they were wit.
~. - ,.-.--.,-a Fysn If Won c1uao,
-. nv. ..,..;-. le-t.~ - one t.ra. YOU can
t..t, .... .-G .t..-, ....-,-n n Il arq.r
49,, ~. 49,. ~, .- sft.... minutes Il,
vor~ 3.--.saI S,1,e a the t,.-ie-. people IN
.,y,,.., l...-. nm d, l,-5.. r-r,,-ro1d,-. f,v
b.vior l,-,-,.4 The haiti sf writing lit,.s
,,,,e-l,-.- 49, Gould fuE time 20 no;
--,l-s a mistake Of hale telling th.ngs and
-, v,Y- .orr,s,.,r,ier, Ia doubt on
s..,,, 49, ;r,r,o-.s1, nom, taking IL for
Granted lin, ;,u,,,i,,atian can supply wha;
vou NEGLECT 70 tell H. business letters thi.
IS ,suaially necessary TeH exactly VIVA;