Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/107

Rh  disquisitions; lastly, a sublime style, when sacred duties are to be inculcated, or exalted ideas to be excited.

As a letter is intended to supply the place of verbal conversation, it follows, that the language of civilized life, or social intercourse, is the safest guide to epistolary composition. Let us therefore write as we would speak, if the person to whom the letter is to be directed, were actually present. Hence an easy, and simple arrangement of ideas will, in general, be the most suitable. But, as a letter is a more permanent declaration of sentiments than a verbal profession, the former consequently requires a greater choice of expression, prudence and reflection, than is generally bestowed on oral conversation; hence, it is not entitled to those concessions or indulgencies which are readily granted to the transitory words of the former. Thus, purity of diction, perspicuity and precision of ideas, together with a lively and unaffected mode of expressing them, are the principal requisites of a good letter.

One of the most necessary rules of letter-writing is conciseness. In addressing our superiors, we ought therefore to make use of no phrases or circumlocutions, which tend to confound rather than to explain the subject.—Diffuseness breeds ambiguity, and often represents a number of words without meaning. Hence a long letter may not unaptly be compared with a tedious person, who is constantly moving, as it were in a circle, but never arrives at the end of his journey.

A short and satisfactory treatise on the subject of writing letters, appears to us still wanting; though many useful remarks and rules are interspersed in the works of, and other didactic writers.  LETTUCE, or Lactuca, L. a genus of plants comprising 15 species, two of which are natives of Britain: the principal of these is the virosa, Wild or strong-scented Lettuce, that abounds on chalky soils, and dry banks of ditches; flowers in the months of August and September. It has a strong odour, not unlike that of opium, and is possessed of similar narcotic properties, that reside in its milky juice; small doses of which, newly expressed from the plant, are recommended in the dropsy. It is said to agree with the stomach, to allay thirst, and to be mildly laxative.

Several other species and varieties of the Lettuce have, at different times, been introduced into Britain, and are now cultivated for culinary purposes. The principal of these are: 1. the Common or Garden Lettuce, which is propagated from seeds that are generally sown early in the spring, that the plant may be cut and mixed with other salads. In its more cultivated state, this kind is known by the name of Cabbage Lettuce. 2. The Silesian. 3. The Imperial. 4. The Royal Black; and, 5. the Upright White Cos-Lettuces, which are the most valuable plants of this nature, now reared in our gardens. They are likewise raised from seed, which should be sown towards the end of February, or in the beginning of March, on a warm light soil, and in an open situation. As soon as the plants shoot forth, it will be necessary to thin them, so that they may be 15 inches apart in every direction, after which they will only require to be carefully weeded;