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The absent party who can't write, selects one who possesses the

art, from amongst his own class, in which he can more securely

trust. To him he explains with more or less clearness his subject

and his thoughts. The man of letters comprehends part, guesses

the rest, gives an opinion, proposes an alteration, and finishes

with "leave it to me." Then begins the translation of the spoken

into the written thoughts.-The writer corrects, improves,

overcharges, diminishes, or even omits, according to his opinion

of the graces of style. The finished letter is, accordingly,

often wide of the mark aimed at. But when, at length, it reaches

the hands of a correspondent, equally deficient in the art of

reading running hand, he is under the like necessity of finding a

learned clerk of the same calibre to interpret the hieroglyphics.

Hereupon arise questions upon the various meanings.