No, those lucky people had access to a book written by Samuel Richardson. He clearly believed his letter-writing abilities were second to none but he wasn’t great at coming up with pithy book titles. There is a letter written by a woman’s admirer who greatly resents her fondness for a monkey. “For you look nothing like a model girl in it nor an agreeable boy.” He helpfully advises her men are not charmed by masculine-looking women. James Joyce was a great man for writing letters but I doubt he ever needed to consult this letter-writing manual.

Source: The Irish Times March 27, 2026 22:02 UTC