=Samurai=:—­Pronounced sae’ m[)oo] r[=i]; a member of the lesser nobility of Japan.

=Jizo=:—­A Japanese god, said to be the playmate of the ghosts of children.  Stone images of Jizo are common in Japan. (See page 19 of The Japanese Letters of Lafcadio Hearn.)

EXERCISES IN LETTER WRITING

You are planning a camping trip with several of your friends; write to a friend who lives in another town, asking him or her to join the camping party.

Write to a friend asking him, or her, to come to your house for dinner and to go with you afterward to see the moving pictures.

Write a letter to accompany a borrowed book, which you are returning.  Speak of the contents of the book, and the parts that you have particularly enjoyed.  Express your thanks for the use of the volume.

Write a letter to an intimate friend, telling of the occurrences of the last week.  Do not hesitate to recount trifling events; but make your letter as varied and lively and interesting as possible.

Write to a friend about the new house or apartment that your family has lately moved into.

Write to a friend or a relative who is visiting in a large city, asking him or her to purchase some especial article that you cannot get in your home town.  Explain exactly what you want and tell how much you are willing to pay.  Speak of enclosing the money, and do not fail to express the gratitude that you will feel if your friend will make the purchase for you.

You have been invited to spend the week-end in a town not far from your home.  Write explaining why you cannot accept the invitation.  Make your letter personal and pleasant.

Write to some member of your family explaining how you have altered your room to make it more to your taste than it has been.  If you have not really changed the room, imagine that you have done so, and that it is now exactly as you want it to be.

You have heard of a family that is in great need.  Write to one of your friends, telling the circumstances and asking her to help you in providing food and clothing for the children in the family.

You have just heard some startling news about an old friend whom you have not seen for some time.  Write to another friend who you know will be interested, and relate the news that you have heard.

Write to one of your teachers explaining why you are late in handing in a piece of work.

Your uncle has made you a present of a sum of money.  Thank him for the money and tell him what you think you will do with it.

A schoolmate is kept at home by illness.  Write, offering your sympathy and services, and telling the school news.

You have had an argument with a friend on a subject of interest to you both.  Since seeing this friend, you have run across an article in a magazine, which supports your view of the question.  Write to your friend and tell him about the substance of the article.