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How to Write Love Letters : Let this be the aim of your letters; speak just...

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Let this be the aim of your letters; speak just...

A celebrated writer has said, that " to write a good love-letter, you must begin without knowing what you are going to say, and finish without knowing what you have said "; and as the true secret of all successful letter writing lies in the power of conveying the thoughts, feelings, and desires of the writer to his correspondent, the remark may be to some extent correct. Such a letter would undoubtedly reflect the state of the writer's heart, agitated and distorted by the tumultuous throbs of his passion; but as the zeal of young persons generally in matters affecting the heart is very apt to out- run their discretion, he would unconsciously give expression to absurd and foolish pretensions, or to romantic and extravagant adulation of the object of his attachment. To obviate this tendency regard should be had, in the composition of them, to propriety of diction, correctness of taste, and purity of style, avoiding all the bombast and affectation, and that morbid sentimentalism which too frequently characterizes epistles on these subjects. The following examples of letters, in which care has been taken to blend delicacy of feeling and warmth of expression, will be found an important aid in acquiring facility and accuracy in this branch of letter writing. Let it be observed that the examples are not presented as circulars to be copied, but as models of style and diction adapted to correspondence on this subject

The specimens of correspondence which this book contains are intended to serve two purposes -- first to provide forms of letters suitable to a variety of circumstances and persons, and second, to suggest the tone of thought which should be entertained by those who wish to address others upon the important subject of marriage. As a general principle it may be stated that no book has ever been or can be written which will supply exactly what may be simply copied and transmitted. This book does not attempt to supply such. A letter which merely adopts the phraseology of one who knows nothing of the person who is to receive it, would appear forced in manner and therefore not impressive or truthful. The writer of a love-letter must make his or her own individuality appear therein. To do so may be difficult to the unpracticed pen, but the intended correspondent, after reading this book of letters, will have gained some new ideas, some freedom of thought, and should be able to write unaffectedly and with good taste. It is desirable that the correspondent study the various styles of composition which are appropriate in various cases and then compose his or her own letter.

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