Sine die

without specifying any particular | Vade mecum: go with me-a constant com. day, to an indefinite time. panion [usually applied to a publication intended for the pocket].

Sine qua non: an indispensable condition.

Stat magni nominis umbra: he stands under the shadow of a mighty name, or, he stands shaded by a mighty name.

Sua cuique voluptas: every one has his own

pleasures.

Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re: gentle in [the] manner, but vigorous in [the] deed, or, vigorous in action.

Sub pœna: under a penalty.

Sub silentio: in silence.

Sui generis: of its own kind.
Summum bonum: the chief good.

Summum jus summa injuria: extreme law is
extreme injustice.

Supersedeas: a writ to stay proceedings.
Suppressio veri: a suppression of the truth.
Supra: above.

Suum cuique: let every man have his

own.

Tædium vitæ: weariness of life.

Tempora mutantur: the times are changed.
Toties quoties: as often as.

Vi et armis: by main force.

Vincit amor patriæ: the love of our country is the predominant feeling.

Vis inertiæ a property of matter.

Vis poetica: poetic genius.

Viva voce: orally, by word of mouth : a viva voce examination, or, an oral examination. Vivat Regina! long live the Queen!

Toto cœlo: by the whole heavens as opposite Vivida vis animi: the lively vigor of genius.

as the poles.

Tria juncta in uno: three joined in one.

Ubi supra: where above-mentioned.

Una voce: with one voice, unanimously.

Ultimus: the last [contracted ult.]

Utile dulci: the useful with the agreeable.

Uti possidetis: as you possess, or, as you now

are.

Viz.: [videlicet] namely.

Vox et præterea nihil: a voice and nothing

more.

Vox populi, vox Dei: the voice of the people is

the voice of GOD.

Vulgo: commonly.

Vultus est index animi: the countenance is the index of the mind.

Meaning of French Words and Lhrases in Common Use.

Aide-de-camp: an assistant to a general.
A la bonne heure: well and good, very well.-
Arriver à la bonne heure: to come just in
time, at the right moment.
Affaire de cœur: a love affair.

A la mode: according to the fashion, in
fashion.

A propos seasonably, opportunely, to the pur-
pose.

Au fond: to the bottom, or, main point, after all.
A fond: thoroughly.

Bagatelle: a trifle.

Beau monde : persons of fashion, the world of
fashion, the fashionable world.
Bel-esprit: a man of wit. The plural is

beaux esprits: men of wit.

Bien entendu of course, be it understood, it being understood.

Billet doux: a love-letter.

Bon mot: a piece of wit, a witticism, or, witty saying.

Bon ton in high fashion, in good taste.

Bon gré mal gré: willing or unwilling, whether one will or not.

Ci-devant : : formerly: my ci-devant preceptor, Naïveté: artlessness, unstudied simplicity, in

Ennui: wearisomeness, lassitude, inability for Tapis: carpet; "the affair is on the tapis," exertion.

Giving Proper Forms for the Composition and Arrangement of Letters, Suited to all Occasions and to all Persons.

THERE is no accomplishment more useful to the educated person than the ability to write a good and attractive letter. Some persons possess this capacity as a natural gift, but it is within the reach of all who seek to acquire it. The rules bearing upon the subject are few in number, and of the simplest character. The first and greatest truth that should be kept constantly in mind is that in writing a letter you are talking with your pen instead of with your mouth, and your aim should be to express yourself as simply and naturally as you would in conversation. Your letters should bear so strong an impress of your personality, that your correspondent, upon reading it, will involuntarily exclaim, "That's like Smith, isn't it?" It is this trait that renders the letters of children so charming. There is this difference, however, between conversation and correspondence. the former is more unrestrained; the latter more precise. Still, even in the most formal letters, a simple and natural style, in keeping with the form of con

versation you would adopt under similar circumstances, should be your aim. An old writer has well said: "Much has been said on the epistolary style, as if any one style could be appropriated to the great variety of subjects which are treated of in letters. Ease, it is true, should distinguish familiar letters, written on the common affairs of life, because the mind is usually at ease while they are composed. But even in these, topics incidentally arise which require elevated expression and an inverted construction. Not to raise the style on these occasions is to write unnaturally; for nature teaches us to express animated emotions of every kind in animated language. The dependent writes unnaturally to a superior in a style of familiarity; the suppliant writes unnaturally if he rejects. the figures dictated by distress. Conversation admits of every style but the poetic; and what are letters but written conversation ?"

Avoid a stilted, stiff, and unnatural style. The plainest and simplest terms are best. Say precisely what you mean, and do not cover up your meaning by using a multitude of words. Avoid repetition of words. It is easy to find a synonyme; the list already given in this work will assist you in this task.

Quotations are ill advised. Avoid them as far as possible. Express yourself in your own language, and borrow as little as possible from other writers.

The use of foreign phrases is in bad taste. Your correspondent may not know their meaning, and in order to learn it must ask another, and thus confess a defect in his education.

Abbreviations are also objectionable. Write out the word in full. In the case of the name of a firm, it is proper to use the sign &, in place of the word and, as Davis & Brown. All other abbreviations should be avoided.

Postscripts are objectionable, as an indication of negligence. You should consider your letter with sufficient care before closing to embody your entire communication in the body of your letter.

The letter should be written as neatly as it is possible for you to write. It should be properly spelled and punctuated, and should be grammatically correct. In short, a letter should represent the writer in his very best light.

In using figures which may be expressed in three words, write them out in full, and do not employ the signs. Thus, you should say, "I will be with you on the twenty-first of the month;" not, "I will be with you on the 21st of the month."

The name of the place from which the letter is written and the date should always be carefully written at the head of the sheet. Persons writing from small towns, or country neighborhoods, should be particular to name both the county and the State. In writing from a large city, like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago or St. Louis, mention the name and number of the street, in addition to the name of the city. Business letters usually have a printed heading, embracing these features.

Proper Mode of Address.

The style of address should vary to suit the person addressed. In writing to strangers, you should address them as "Sir," or "Madam," ending the

letter with, "Your obedient servant." To those with whom you are tolerably acquainted, you should say, "Dear Sir," or, "Dear Madam," ending your letter with, "Yours faithfully." To your intimate friends, you should say, "My dear Sir," or, "My dear Madam," ending the letter with, "Yours truly," "Yours very truly," "Yours sincerely," or, "Yours very sincerely."

It is allowable to use the form, " My dear Sir," even to strangers; but it is always best to be cautious in this matter.

In addressing a clergyman, use the form, "Reverend and dear Sir." To a bishop, say, "Right Reverend and dear Sir."

Custom has made it proper, in addressing the President of the United States, or the Governor of a State of the Union, to use the form, "Your Excellency." It is proper, in addressing the President, to say, "Mr. President," which is his

official title.

The Vice-President of the United States is addressed simply as "The Honorable."

Cabinet officers and heads of departments are addressed as follows: Honorable John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury," etc.

"The

The Chief Justice of the United States is addressed as "The Honorable Morrison R. Waite, Chief Justice of the United States."

Members of the two Houses of Congress, members of the Legislatures of States, and all judges of courts of law and justice, are entitled to be addressed as "The Honorable."

"General

Officers of the army and navy are addressed by their titles, as William T. Sherman," "Lieutenant-General Philip H. Sheridan," "Captain Napoleon Gunn," "Admiral David D. Porter," etc.

A doctor of medicine or of dentistry is addressed as "Doctor."

The word "Honorable" may be abbreviated in addressing the envelope. It should be written out in full in the letter.

The members of the faculty of a college are addressed as Professor," and where they possess an additional title, such as "D. D.," "LL. D.," etc., it is added after the name, as, "Prof. John Smith, LL. D."

Ordinary persons are addressed as "Mr.," "Mrs.," or "Miss.' Gentlemen are sometimes called "Esqr." You may write "Thomas Hill, Esqr.," or "Mr. Thomas Hill," as you think best, but both titles must not be employed. "Mr. Thomas Hill, Esqr.," would be absurd.

In addressing the minister or ambassador accredited from a foreign country to the United States, it is customary to use the form "Your Excellency," giving him also his full title, which must be previously ascertained.

In England, where the constitution of society requires exactness in the use of titles, the following are the forms used:

A letter to the Queen should begin, "Madam," "Most Gracious Sovereign," or, "May it please your Majesty." The envelope should be addressed, "To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty."