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8  Juvenile Letters.

LETTER III.

Master JOHN LEARNER to his SISTER.

Boston, July 15, 1799.

DEAR SISTER,

IT has become fo fafhionable [[so fashionable]] of late, in our family, to write letters, that I have ventured to take up the pen to fee [[see]] what I can do in that way. When I afked [[asked]] leave of our mafter [[master]] to write my letter in fchool [[school]], he offered to furnifh [[furnish]] me with a copy; but I told him that I was not afraid to expofe [[expose]] my compofition [[composition]] to fifter [[sister]] Becky. I had two reafons [[reasons]] for not accepting his kind offer. One was, I thought I fhould [[should]] learn more by making my own fentences [[sentences]]: and the other, that I did not know but I might wifh [[wish]] to write fomething [[something]] of a private nature. He commended my refolution [[resolution]], telling me that practice was the only thing to make one perfect.

I have read Eliza's "Birth Day Prefent [[Present]]," with great fatisfaction [[satisfaction]]. Cannot you recommend an entertaining book to me? I have a little


Juvenile Letters. 9

little time to read, every day, beside attending to my leffons [[lessons]]; for you muft [[must]] know that my kite does not engrofs [[engross]] all my leifure [[leisure]] hours.

When I fee [[see]] you, I fhall [[shall]] have many things to tell you. Till then, I remain

Your affectionate brother,
JOHN LEARNER.

Mifs [[Miss]] Rebecca Learner.

LETTER IV.

Answer to the foregoing.

Salem, July 20, 1799.

DEAR BROTHER,

YOUR letter gave me great pleafure [[pleasure]]; efpecially [[especially]], as you therein difcover [[discover]] a difpofition [[disposition]] to acquire ufeful [[useful]] knowledge, by devoting part of your play-hours to reading. Your kite and your ball may doubtlefs [[doubtless]] be made beneficial to your health, when ufed [[used]] at proper times; but how few there are, of your age, who have refolution [[resolution]] and judgment fufficient [[sufficient]] to adopt your plan! And how thankful ought we

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