Page:The Ladies' and Gentlemen's Etiquette.djvu/351

Probably there is no class of letters which consume so much relative time and thought and are the occasion of so much perplexity to their writers as love-letters; nevertheless, who would care to express other than his own feelings and his own words in writing a letter of declaration? Still, it is perhaps best to give a few models of these letters and their replies, which, though we certainly hope they may never be used, may yet serve as guides in such correspondence.

My Dear Miss Moore: You cannot but have been aware for some time past that my feelings toward you have been stronger than those of mere friendship. Our long acquaintance has given me ample opportunity to learn the excellences of your character, and to prize them at their full value. It has also afforded you a like opportunity to judge whether I possess those characteristics which you