Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Selected Letters
It is a distinct literary type worthy of study for its form as well as its content; it is superior to other types in its power to enrich the student's literary associations; it has a liberalizing in?uence that pushes his horizon beyond provincial bounds; and finally, it often arouses in him the ambition to be a better literary craftsman himself. A student may be sceptical of the value of attempting to write fiction, or poetry, or drama, but he rarely questions the usefulness of the practice of letter-writing. It is hoped that this collection of letters may stimulate him to find a means of express ing himself in a fresh, direct, sincere fashion, free from stereotyped phrases, especially when he sees in the great letters of literature that the obscurest details of one's life may be invested with literary charm and atmosphere. Letter-writing is not a decadent art, as many think, but in this day of the picture postcard, the telegram blank, and the telephone, young people need encourage ment in the development of the art.
A variety of principles has determined the choice of letters in this volume. Th'ose have been selected that seem good examples of the familiar, personal type; those also are included that will make the student better acquainted with the authors whose works he will probably read in high school and college. Perhaps still other letters may lead him to an acquaintance with writers who will be pleasant and profitable companions in later years when the pressure of schoolroom régime has been removed. A wide reading in letters may accomplish much toward making the student at home in that magic world bounded by the covers of a book - the real purpose of a course in literature.
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