The English Secretary; or, Methode of Writing Epistles and Letters (1599): With, a Declaration of Such Tropes, Figures, and Schemes, as Either Usually or for Ornament Sake Are Therein RequiredDay, Angel, active 1575-1595
General
The English Secretary; or, Methode of Writing Epistles and Letters (1599): With, a Declaration of Such Tropes, Figures, and Schemes, as Either Usually or for Ornament Sake Are Therein Required
Day, Angel, active 1575-1595
English language -- Rhetoric -- Early works to 1800; Letter writing -- Early works to 1800; Rhetoric -- Early works to 1800
=These |Romans| therefore, vsed onlie, in the front of their letters
to write first their owne names, titles adoptiue, and surnames, after
that, his to whom they wrote, and lastlie their salutation or maner
of greetings: giuing also like aditions vnto the other as to him
belonged, whether it were by familie, office, or some other dignitie.
And this was the forme. |M. T. Cicero. M. Varoni. Sal. dicit,| or |C.
Cæsar: Comelio Balbo salutem dicit|. But that custome according to
the antiquity of the time, is long since worne out, and these dates
and seasons haue induced vnto vs for euerie estate of calling, a more
statelie reuerence according to the dignitie and worthines of the same.=
=The reuerend maiesty of Emperours, Kings and Princes, being aduāced
with a more excellency and supreame magnificence. The names of Dukes,
Marquises, Earles, barons and other magistrates, with more solemne and
honourable titles.=
[Sidenote: Diuersity of Estates.]
=The offices of estate and places most noble, amplified with larger
honours, and names accordant to their seuerall dignities.=
=And albeit few are the number, that herein shall be occasioned to
occupy their pen, but (knoweth on almost euerie daie) maie vnderstand
the formall application of euerie personages honour or worship: yet in
so much as all sortes are not perfectlie skilled, nor euerie man liueth
in place so conuenient to vnderstand it, and that it hath beene parcell
of a prescribed order so to doe, by those that haue written the like
methode, I will set downe so manie examples of estates for directions,
as to the matter and purpose hereof maie be adiudged conuenient,
beginning from the highest that are or haue beene latelie accustomed
in our common wealth (the soueraign Maiestie excepted) vnto the meaner
and most ordinary bred, and in present practise amongst vs. And first,
with the dignitie of Archbishop, to whom in this sort we frame our
direction.=
[Sidenote: Directions to an Archbishop. Bishop. Duke.]
[Sidenote: L. Chancellor. L. Treasurer. Earles and in office.]
[Sidenote: Lords knights of the priuie councell.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account