The New and Complete Letter-Writer: Containing a Course of Interesting Original Letters, on the Most Important, Instructing, and Entertaining Subjects. And a Set of Complimentary Cards...
... Suited to the Various Occasions on which an extraordinary degree of politeness should be observed.
To which are added
Forms of Mortgages, Deeds, Bonds, Powers of Attorney, Indentures, &c. as they are now executed by Gentlemen of distinguished abilities in the Law in the United States.
Also, The usual stile of Address for the Principal Public Officers in the United States.
Printed for Mathew R. Lockerman by Joseph Jones, Wilmington, 1808. Unbound text block, stab stitched in the gutter. 24mo (5.25 x 3.5 inches), 107pp + first and last blank. Ad on the verso of the title page for Lockerman’s bookbinding services in Wilmington, DE. Very Good with modest foxing and age toning; expected bumping to corners and shallow chip at the bottom left corner of the front blank.
An unusual variation of Thomas Cooke’s ubiquitous Letter Writers–this relatively short collection (about 100 pages instead of 200+) (about 100 pages instead of 200+) foregoes the "Whole art of polite correspondence” or comprehensive offerings of similar publications, and focuses on the "Various Occasions on which an extraordinary degree of politeness should be observed."
One such occasion: “From a young Woman to a Lady, with whom she had formerly lived as a Companion,” in which a young woman is forced to explain having to abruptly leave her mistress' house and employ after being repeatedly propositioned by the mistress' son, who recently returned from university. Jarring to acknowledge such a common occurrence it warranted inclusion--and is still relevant.
Other occasions have their inherent situational humor and verbosity. This publication also includes messages for compliments cards, some hinting at a bit of girlish mischief: "Miss Sandford's compliments to Miss Smith, and hope she has received no injury from last night's adventure.”
Attributed to Thomas Cook (not Cooke) and containing material specific to the United States, including useful legal forms and guide to official titles, providing an outline of governmental structure at the time. This particular imprint is not listed in OCLC, Weiss American Primers, or the America's Historical Imprints databases.