In the letter cited above, we can see that right at the beginning Lewes uses the rhetorical device called "ethos", appealing to ethics when addressing the letter reader. This can be seen when the writer states that she never responds to letters for lack of time, but taking into account the importance of Melusina Fay Peirce and the sensitivity of her letter, she felt it necessary to respond.
Then she uses the rhetorical feature called "logos", which evokes logic and shows how Peirce should not be discouraged because he did not write anything in his youth. This is because young writers, due to the unexpectedness and the need to be recognized, end up writing naive works that seem not ready to be consumed by the public. These works look like a "green fruit". Meanwhile, Lewes says he understands Peirce's struggles, because of his age and because he is also a woman.
Lewes continues to use the "pathos" rhetorical resource, evoking the reader's empathy for facts in his life. That's because she explains that she never believed she would be a good writer and that she could write something beyond mediocrity. She claims that these thoughts invaded her because she was not ready to write, which made her hate people who dared to try.
When she felt ready, she started writing something that was not great and admirable, but that she knew she knew and could write about. Then she started writing fictional works and felt good with both works finished.
She finalizes the letter, using "ethos" again, talking about how simple the letter was for her and her partner.
