This letter, written by Lady Mary Mortley Montagu, was addressed to her daughter, specifically giving advice on how to raise her daughter. Considering the letter was written a while ago, the tone is quite formal, as most letters were back then.

She begins the letter with a certain level of flattery, stating ” If there is anything in
blood, you may reasonably expect your children should be endowed with an uncommon share of good sense.” She starts by complimenting her daughter and how she should expect her daughter to be good-sensed as well. This is a common way of establishing pathos right at the beginning of a piece of writing. By including this little compliment, Montagu successfully appeals to her daughter’s emotions by reinforcing the idea that her children are good-sensed. Being a mother herself, Montagu understands the bond between a mother and her daughter, and wants to “take advantage” of that bond to gain an advantage on her daughter’s feelings. She also says “The knowledge of numbers is one of the chief distinctions between us and brutes.” There is a clear distinction between them and brutes, so clearly stating the daughter’s difference shows Montagu’s acknowledgment of her granddaughter. which makes her daughter more likely to listen to her advice.

Later on in the letter, Montagu proceeds to insert a saying from Thucydides, “Ignorance is bold, and knowledge reserved. Indeed, it is impossible to be far advanced in it without being more humbled by a conviction of human ignorance than elated by learning.” By including  a quote from a well known Athenian general and historian, Montagu reinforces her idea of educating her stepdaughter; she is giving her daughter more information that backs up her argument.

Overall, Montagu does a great job of utilizing various rhetorical devices to reinforce her idea that her granddaughter should be educated.