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Certaine briefe Notes, or Directions, for writing of Letters, or familiar Epistles.
ASwell in regard of my promise in the prescri∣ption or Title page; as to satisfie the request of some peculiar friends, finding perhaps the gene∣rall defect (aswell in themselves as others) of some il∣lustrations in this kinde: I have annexed these few di∣rections in generall, for the inditing and writing Letters (as we terme them) or familiar Epistles, intended one∣ly for the benefit of children, women, and persons ei∣ther altogether ignorant in this respect, or discontinued. As for Secretaries, and those who can better help them∣selves, I leave them to their owne practice, and obser∣vations. For to undertake to reduce this confused qua∣lity, faculty, or art, (or whatsoever terme you will at∣tribute unto it) to any certaine method, or classicall precept; or to seek out a radix, consisting of such prin∣ciples, whereon every particular must ex hypothesi de∣pend (would I, or any Secretary more commendably versed in those wayes, attempt it) as we should find it a work no lesse tedious than difficult, and almost impos∣sible (unlesse it were possible to know every private mans occasion) so might we to little purpose and effect frustra oleum & operam dare, since Quot homines, tot sen∣tentiae; and it is connaturall for every one, that is able