LETTER WRITING.
There is no branch of education called so universally into requisition
as the art of letter writing; no station, high or low, where the
necessity for correspondence is not felt; no person, young or old, who
does not, at some time, write, cause to be written, and receive letters.
From the President in his official capacity, with the busy pens of
secretaries constantly employed in this branch of service, to the Irish
laborer who, unable to guide a pen, writes, also by proxy, to his
kinsfolks across the wide ocean; all, at some time, feel the desire to
transmit some message, word of love, business, or sometimes enmity, by
letter.
Yet, in spite of the universal need, and almost universal habit, there
are really but very few persons who write a _good_ letter; a letter that
is, at the same time long enough to interest, yet not long enough to
tire; sufficiently condensed to keep the attention, and not tedious, and
yet detailed enough to afford satisfaction; that is correct in
grammatical construction, properly punctuated, written in a clear,
legible hand, with the date, address, signature, all in the proper
place, no words whose letters stand in utter defiance to spelling-book
rules; in short, a well-written letter.
Thousands, millions are sent from post to post every day. The lightning
speed of the telegraph takes its messages from city to city; the panting
steamer carries from continent to continent its heavy mail-bags, laden
with its weight of loving messages; the "iron horse" drags behind it,
its measure of the many missives; while, in the far-distant Western
wilds, the lumbering wagon bears its paper freight, with its pen
eloquence, to cheer and comfort, or sadden and crush, the waiting
emigrants, longing for news of home.
To some, who, with hearts desolated by the separation from the home
circle, could read, with an eager interest, volumes of the most
common-place, trivial incidents, if only connected with the loved ones
there, will come pages, from the pen of the dearest relative, full of
learning, wit, and wisdom, wholly uninteresting to the receiver.
Why is this? Not from any desire upon the part of the writer to display
learning or talent, but because, writing a letter being to them a great
undertaking, and the letter being destined to go a long distance, they
look upon it as an event too unusual to be wasted in detailing the
simple, every-day details of domestic life, and ransack memory and
learning for a subject worthy of the long journey and unusual labor.
Others will have, from mere acquaintances, long, tedious details of
uninteresting trivialities, and from the near relatives, short, dry
epistles, which fall like stones upon the heart longing for little,
affectionate expressions, and home memories.
From some letter writers, who are in the midst of scenes and events of
the most absorbing interest, letters arrive, only a few lines long,
without one allusion to the interesting matter lying so profusely around
them; while others, with the scantiest of outward subjects, will, from
their own teeming brain, write bewitching, absorbing epistles, read with
eagerness, laid aside with the echo of Oliver Twist's petition in a
sigh; the reader longing for "more."
It is, of course, impossible to lay down any distinct rule for the
_style_ of letter writing. Embracing, as it does, all subjects and all
classes, all countries and associations, and every relation in which one
person can stand to another, what would be an imperative rule in some
cases, becomes positive absurdity in others. Every letter will vary from
others written before, in either its subject, the person addressed, or
the circumstances which make it necessary to write it.
Letter writing is, in fact, but conversation, carried on with the pen,
when distance or circumstances prevent the easier method of exchanging
ideas, by spoken words. Write, therefore, as you would speak, were the
person to whom your letter is addressed seated beside you. As amongst
relatives and intimate friends you would converse with a familiar
manner, and in easy language, so in your letters to such persons, let
your style be simple, entirely devoid of effort.
Again, when introduced to a stranger, or conversing with one much older
than yourself, your manner is respectful and dignified; so let the
letters addressed to those on these terms with yourself, be written in a
more ceremonious style, but at the same time avoid stiffness, and above
all, pedantry. A letter of advice to a child, would of course demand an
entirely different style, from that written by a young lady to a friend
or relative advanced in life; yet the general rule, "write as you would
converse," applies to each and every case.
Neatness is an important requisite in a letter. To send a fair, clean
sheet, with the words written in a clear, legible hand, will go a great
way in ensuring a cordial welcome for your letter. Avoid erasures, as
they spoil the beauty of your sheet. If it is necessary to correct a
word, draw your pen through it, and write the word you wish to use as a
substitute, above the one erased; do not scratch out the word and write
another over it: it is untidy, and the second word is seldom legible.
Another requisite for a good letter is a clear, concise style. Use
language that will be easily understood, and avoid the parenthesis.
Important passages in letters are often lost entirely, by the ambiguous
manner in which they are worded, or rendered quite as unintelligible by
the blots, erasures, or villainously bad hand-writing. A phrase may, by
the addition or omission of one word, or by the alteration of one
punctuation mark, convey to the reader an entirely different idea from
that intended by the writer; so, while you write plainly, use good
language, you must also write carefully, and punctuate properly.
If you are in doubt about the correct spelling of a word, do not trust
to chance, hoping it may be right, but get a dictionary, and be certain
that you have spelt it as it ought to be.
Simplicity is a great charm in letter-writing. What you send in a
letter, is, as a general rule, intended for the perusal of one person
only. Therefore to cumber your epistles with quotations, similes,
flowery language, and a stilted, pedantic style, is in bad taste. You
may use elegant language, yet use it easily. If you use a quotation, let
it come into its place naturally, as if flowing in perfect harmony with
your ideas, and let it be short. Long quotations in a letter are
tiresome. Make no attempt at display in a correspondence. You will err
as much in such an attempt, as if, when seated face to face with your
correspondent, alone in your own apartment, you were to rise and
converse with the gestures and language of a minister in his pulpit, or
a lecturer upon his platform.
As everything, in style, depends upon the subject of the letter, and the
person to whom it is addressed, some words follow, relating to some of
the various kinds of correspondence:
BUSINESS LETTERS should be as brief as is consistent with the subject;
clear, and to the point. Say all that is necessary, in plain, distinct
language, and say no more. State, in forcible words, every point that it
is desirable for your correspondent to be made acquainted with, that
your designs and prospects upon the subject may be perfectly well
understood. Write, in such a letter, of nothing but the business in
hand; other matters will be out of place there. Nowhere is a confused
style, or illegible writing, more unpardonable than in a business
letter; nowhere a good style and hand more important. Avoid flowery
language, too many words, all pathos or wit, any display of talent or
learning, and every merely personal matter, in a business letter.
LETTERS OF COMPLIMENT must be restricted, confined entirely to one
subject. If passing between acquaintances, they should be written in a
graceful, at the same time respectful, manner. Avoid hackneyed
expressions, commonplace quotations, and long, labored sentences, but
while alluding to the subject in hand, as if warmly interested in it, at
the same time endeavor to write in a style of simple, natural grace.
LETTERS OF CONGRATULATION demand a cheerful, pleasant style, and an
appearance of great interest. They should be written from the heart, and
the cordial, warm feelings there will prompt the proper language. Be
careful, while offering to your friend the hearty congratulations her
happy circumstances demand, that you do not let envy at her good
fortune, creep into your head, to make the pen utter complaining words
at your own hard lot. Do not dampen her joy, by comparing her happiness
with the misery of another. There are many clouds in the life of every
one of us. While the sun shines clearly upon the events of your friend's
life let her enjoy the brightness and warmth, unshadowed by any words of
yours. Give her, to the full, your sympathy in her rejoicing, cheerful
words, warm congratulations, and bright hopes for the future. Should
there be, at the time of her happiness, any sad event you wish to
communicate to her, of which it is your duty to inform her, write it in
another letter. If you must send it the same day, do so, but let the
epistle wishing her joy, go alone, unclouded with the news of sorrow. At
the same time, avoid exaggerated expressions of congratulation, lest you
are suspected of a desire to be satirical, and avoid underlining any
words. If the language is not forcible enough to convey your ideas, you
will not make it better by underlining it. If you say to your friend
upon her marriage, that you wish her "_joy_ in her new relations, and
_hope_ she may be _entirely happy_ in her domestic life," you make her
doubt your wishes, and think you mean to ridicule her chances of such
happiness.
LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE are exceedingly trying, both to read and to write.
If the affliction which calls for them is one which touches you nearly,
really grieving and distressing you, all written words must seem tame
and cold, compared with the aching sympathy which dictates them. It is
hard with the eyes blinded by tears, and the hand shaking, to write
calmly; and it is impossible to express upon paper all the burning
thoughts and words that would pour forth, were you beside the friend
whose sorrow is yours. If you do not feel the trial, your task is still
more difficult, for no letters demand truth, spoken from the heart, more
than letters of condolence. Do not treat the subject for grief too
lightly. Write words of comfort if you will, but do not appear to
consider the affliction as a trifle. Time may make it less severe, but
the first blow of grief must be heavy, and a few words of sincere
sympathy will outweigh pages of mere expressions of hope for comfort, or
the careless lines that show the letter to be one of mere duty, not
feeling. Let your friend feel that her sorrow makes her dearer to you
than ever before, and that her grief is yours. To treat the subject with
levity, or to wander from it into witticisms or every-day chit-chat, is
a wanton insult, unworthy of a lady and a friend. Do not magnify the
event, or plunge the mourner into still deeper despondency by taking a
despairing, gloomy view of the sorrow, under which she is bent. Show her
the silver lining of her cloud, try to soothe her grief, yet be willing
to admit that it _is_ a cloud, and that she _has_ cause for grief. To
throw out hints that the sorrow is sent as a punishment to an offender;
to imply that neglect or imprudence on the part of the mourner is the
cause of the calamity; to hold up the trial as an example of
retribution, or a natural consequence of wrong doing, is cruel, and
barbarous. Even if this is true, (indeed, if this is the case, it only
aggravates the insult); avoid such retrospection. It is as if a surgeon,
called in to a patient suffering from a fractured limb, sat down,
inattentive to the suffering, to lecture his patient upon the
carelessness which caused the accident. One of the most touching letters
of condolence ever written was sent by a literary lady, well known in
the ranks of our American authoresses, to her sister, who had lost her
youngest child. The words were few, merely:--
"SISTER DARLING:
"I cannot write what is in my heart for you to-day, it is too
full. Filled with a double sorrow, for you, for my own grief.
Tears blind me, my pen trembles in my hand. Oh, to be near
you! to clasp you in my arms! to draw your head to my bosom,
and weep with you! Darling, God comfort you, I cannot.
"S."
That was all. Yet the sorrowing mother said that no other letter, though
she appreciated the kind motive that dictated all, yet none comforted
her as did these few lines. Written from the heart, their simple
eloquence touched the heart for which they were intended. Early stages
of great grief reject _comfort_, but they long, with intense longing,
for sympathy.
LETTERS WRITTEN TO GENTLEMEN should be ceremonious and dignified. If the
acquaintance is slight, write in the third person, if there is a
necessity for a letter. If a business letter, be respectful, yet not
servile. It is better to avoid correspondence with gentlemen,
particularly whilst you are young, as there are many objections to it.
Still, if a friend of long standing solicits a correspondence, and your
parents or husband approve and permit compliance with the request, it
would be over-prudish to refuse. Write, however, such letters as, if
they were printed in the newspapers, would cause you no annoyance. If
the acquaintance admits of a frank, friendly style, be careful that your
expressions of good will do not become too vehement, and avoid any
confidential communications. When he begins to ask you to keep such and
such passages secret, believe me, it is quite time to drop the
correspondence.
LETTERS OF ENQUIRY, especially if they request a favor, should contain a
few lines of compliment. If the letter is upon a private subject, such
as enquiry with regard to the illness or misfortune of a friend, avoid
making it too brief. To write short, careless letters upon such
subjects, is unfeeling, and they will surely be attributed to motives of
obligation or duty, not to interest. Letters of enquiry, referring to
family matters, should be delicately worded, and appear dictated by
interest, not mere curiosity. If the enquiry refers to matters
interesting only to yourself, enclose a postage-stamp for the reply. In
answering such letters, if they refer to your own health or subjects
interesting to yourself, thank the writer for the interest expressed,
and answer in a satisfactory manner. If the answer interests your
correspondent only, do not reply as if the enquiry annoyed you, but
express some interest in the matter of the letter, and give as clear and
satisfactory reply as is in your power.
LETTERS OFFERING FAVORS--Be careful in writing to offer a favor, that
you do not make your friend feel a heavy weight of obligation by
over-rating your services. The kindness will be duly appreciated, and
more highly valued if offered in a delicate manner. Too strong a sense
of obligation is humiliating, so do not diminish the real value of the
service by forcing the receiver to acknowledge a fictitious value. Let
the recipient of your good will feel that it affords you as much
pleasure to confer the favor as it will give her to receive it. A letter
accompanying a present, should be short and gracefully worded. The
affectionate spirit of such little epistles will double the value of the
gift which they accompany. Never refer to a favor received, in such a
letter, as that will give your gift the appearance of being payment for
such favor, and make your letter of about as much value as a tradesman's
receipted bill.
LETTERS OF THANKS for enquiries made, should be short, merely echoing
the words of the letter they answer, and contain the answer to the
question, with an acknowledgement of your correspondent's interest. If
the letter is your own acknowledgement of a favor conferred, let the
language be simple, but strong, grateful, and graceful. Fancy that you
are clasping the hand of the kind friend who has been generous or
thoughtful for you, and then write, even as you would speak. Never hint
that you deem such a favor an obligation to be returned at the first
opportunity; although this may really be the case, it is extremely
indelicate to say so. In your letter gracefully acknowledge the
obligation, and if, at a later day, you can return the favor, then let
actions, not words, prove your grateful recollection of the favor
conferred upon you. If your letter is written to acknowledge the
reception of a present, speak of the beauty or usefulness of the gift,
and of the pleasant associations with her name it will always recall.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION should be truthful, polite, and carefully
considered. Such letters may be business letters, or they may be given
to servants, and they must be given only when really deserved. Do not be
hasty in giving them; remember that you are, in some measure responsible
for the bearer; therefore, never sacrifice truth and frankness, to a
mistaken idea of kindness or politeness.
LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION must be left unsealed. They must not contain any
allusion to the personal qualities of the bearer, as such allusion
would be about as sure a proof of ill-breeding as if you sat beside your
friend, and ran over the list of the virtues and talents possessed by
her. The fact that the person bearing the letter is your friend, will be
all sufficient reason for cordial reception by the friend to whom the
letter is addressed. The best form is:--
PHILADELPHIA, _June 18th, 18--_.
MY DEAR MARY:
This letter will be handed to you by Mrs. C., to whom I am
pleased to introduce you, certain that the acquaintance thus
formed, between two friends of mine, of so long standing and
so much beloved, will be pleasant to both parties. Any
attention that you may find it in your power to extend to Mrs.
C. whilst she is in your city, will be highly appreciated, and
gratefully acknowledged, by
Your sincere friend
A----.
LETTERS OF ADVICE should not be written unsolicited. They will, in all
probability, even when requested, be unpalatable, and should never be
sent unless they can really be of service. Write them with frankness and
sincerity. To write after an act has been committed, and is irrevocable,
is folly, and it is also unkind. You may inform your friend that, "had
you been consulted, a different course from the one taken would have
been recommended," and you may really believe this, yet it will probably
be false. Seeing the unfavorable result of the wrong course will enable
you fully to appreciate the wisdom of the right one, but, had you been
consulted when the matter was doubtful, you would probably have been as
much puzzled as your friend to judge the proper mode of action. You
should word a letter of advice delicately, stating your opinion frankly
and freely, but giving it _as_ an opinion, not as a positive law. If the
advice is not taken, do not feel offended, as others, more experienced
than yourself upon the point in question, may have also been consulted.
Let no selfish motive govern such a letter. Think only of the good or
evil to result to your friend, and while you may write warmly and
earnestly, let the motive be a really disinterested one.
LETTERS OF EXCUSE should be frank and graceful. They must be written
promptly, as soon as the occasion that calls for them admits. If
delayed, they become insulting. If such a letter is called forth by an
act of negligence on your own part, apologize for it frankly, and show
by your tone that you sincerely desire to regain the confidence your
carelessness has periled. If you have been obliged by positive inability
to neglect the fulfilment of any promise you have given, or any
commission you have undertaken, then state the reason for your delay,
and solicit the indulgence of your friend. Do not write in such stiff,
formal language that the apology will seem forced from you, but offer
your excuse frankly, as if with a sincere desire to atone for an act of
negligence, or remove a ground of offence.
LETTERS OF INTELLIGENCE are generally the answer to letters of enquiry,
or the statement of certain incidents or facts, interesting both to the
writer and reader of the letter. Be careful in writing such a letter
that you have all the facts in exact accordance with the truth. Remember
that every word is set down against you, if one item of your information
prove to be false; and do not allow personal opinion or prejudice to
dictate a single sentence. Never repeat anything gathered from mere
hearsay, and be careful, in such a letter, that you violate no
confidence, nor force yourself upon the private affairs of any one. Do
not let scandal or a mere love of gossip dictate a letter of
intelligence. If your news is painful, state it as delicately as
possible, and add a few lines expressive of sympathy. If it is your
pleasant task to communicate a joyful event, make your letter cheerful
and gay. If you have written any such letter, and, after sending it,
find you have made any error in a statement, write, and correct the
mistake immediately. It may be a trivial error, yet there is no false or
mistaken news so trifling as to make a correction unnecessary.
INVITATIONS are generally written in the third person, and this form is
used where the acquaintance is very slight, for formal notes, and cards
of compliment. The form is proper upon such occasions, but should be
used only in the most ceremonious correspondence. If this style is
adopted by a person who has been accustomed to write in a more familiar
one to you, take it as a hint, that the correspondence has, for some
reason, become disagreeable, and had better cease.
AUTOGRAPH LETTERS should be very short; merely acknowledging the
compliment paid by the request for the signature, and a few words
expressing the pleasure you feel in granting the favor. If you write to
ask for an autograph, always inclose a postage stamp for the answer.
Date every letter you write accurately, and avoid postscripts.
Politeness, kindness, both demand that every letter you receive must be
answered. Nothing can give more pleasure in a correspondence, than
prompt replies. Matters of much importance often rest upon the reply to
a letter, and therefore this duty should never be delayed. In answering
friendly letters, it will be found much easier to write what is kind and
interesting, if you sit down to the task as soon as you read your
friend's letter. Always mention the date of the letter to which your own
is a reply.
Never write on a half sheet of paper. Paper is cheap, and a _half_ sheet
looks both mean and slovenly. If you do not write but three lines, still
send the whole sheet of paper. Perfectly plain paper, thick, smooth, and
white, is the most elegant. When in mourning, use paper and envelopes
with a black edge. Never use the gilt edged, or fancy bordered paper; it
looks vulgar, and is in bad taste. You may, if you will, have your
initials stamped at the top of the sheet, and on the seal of the
envelope, but do not have any fancy ornaments in the corners, or on the
back of the envelope.
You will be guilty of a great breach of politeness, if you answer either
a note or letter upon the half sheet of the paper sent by your
correspondent, even though it may be left blank.
Never write, even the shortest note, in pencil. It looks careless, and
is rude.
Never write a letter carelessly. It may be addressed to your most
intimate friend, or your nearest relative, but you can never be sure
that the eye for which it is intended, will be the _only_ one that sees
it. I do not mean by this, that the epistle should be in a formal,
studied _style_, but that it must be correct in its grammatical
construction, properly punctuated, with every word spelt according to
rule. Even in the most familiar epistles, observe the proper rules for
composition; you would not in conversing, even with your own family, use
incorrect grammar, or impertinent language; therefore avoid saying upon
paper what you would not say with your tongue.
Notes written in the third person, must be continued throughout in the
same person; they are frequently very mysterious from the confusion of
pronouns, yet it is a style of correspondence much used and very proper
upon many occasions. For compliment, inquiry where there is no intimacy
between the parties, from superiors to inferiors, the form is elegant
and proper. If you receive a note written in the third person, reply in
the same form, but do not reply thus to a more familiar note or letter,
as it is insulting, and implies offence taken. If you wish to repel
undue familiarity or impertinence in your correspondent, then reply to
the epistle in the most formal language, and in the third person.
It is an extraordinary fact, that persons who have received a good
education, and who use their pens frequently, will often, in writing
notes, commence in the third person and then use the second or first
personal pronoun, and finish by a signature; thus--
Miss Claire's compliments to Mr. James, and wishes to know
whether you have finished reading my copy of "Jane Eyre," as
if Mr. James had finished it, I would like to lend it to
another friend.
Sincerely yours,
ELLA CLAIRE.
The errors in the above are too glaring to need comment, yet, with only
the alteration of names, it is a copy, _verbatim_, of a note written by
a well educated girl.
Never sign a note written in the third person, if you begin the note
with your own name. It is admissible, if the note is worded in this
way:--
Will Mr. James return by bearer, the copy of "Jane Eyre" he
borrowed, if he has finished reading it, and oblige his
sincere friend,
ELLA CLAIRE.
If you use a quotation, never omit to put it in quotation marks,
otherwise your correspondent may, however unjustly, accuse you of a
desire to pass off the idea and words of another, for your own.
Avoid postscripts. Above all, never send an inquiry or compliment in a
postscript. To write a long letter, upon various subjects, and in the
postscript desire to be remembered to your friend's family, or inquire
for their welfare, instead of a compliment, becomes insulting. It is
better, if you have not time to write again and place such inquiries
above your signature, to omit them entirely. Nobody likes to see their
name mentioned as an afterthought.
Punctuate your letters carefully. The want of a mark of punctuation, or
the incorrect placing of it, will make the most woful confusion. I give
an instance of the utter absurdity produced by the alteration of
punctuation marks, turning a sensible paragraph to the most arrant
nonsense:
"Caesar entered; on his head his helmet; on his feet armed sandals; upon
his brow there was a cloud; in his right hand his faithful sword; in his
eye an angry glare; saying nothing, he sat down."
By using precisely the same words, merely altering the position of the
punctuation marks, we have--
"Caesar entered on his head; his helmet on his feet; armed sandals upon
his brow; there was a cloud in his right hand; his faithful sword in his
eye; an angry glare saying nothing; he sat down."
Be careful, then, to punctuate properly, that you may convey to the
reader the exact sense of what is in your mind.
If you receive an impertinent letter, treat it with contempt; do not
answer it.
Never answer a letter by proxy, when you are able to write yourself. It
is a mark of respect and love, to answer, in your own hand, all letters
addressed to you. If you are obliged to write to a friend to refuse to
grant a favor asked, you will lessen the pain of refusal by wording your
letter delicately. Loving words, if it is a near friend, respectful,
kind ones if a mere acquaintance, will make the disagreeable contents of
the letter more bearable. Try to make the _manner_ smooth and soften the
hardness of the _matter_.
Every letter must embrace the following particulars: 1st. The date. 2d.
The complimentary address. 3d. The body of the letter. 4th. The
complimentary closing. 5th. The signature. 6th. The address.
There are two ways of putting the date, and the address. The first is to
place them at the top of the sheet, the other is to place them after the
signature.
When at the top, you write the name of your residence, or that of the
city in which you reside, with the day of the month and the year, at the
right hand of the first line of the sheet. Then, at the left hand of the
next line, write the address, then the complimentary address below the
name; thus--
WILLOW GROVE, NEW YORK,
_June 27th, 1859_.
MRS. E. C. HOWELL,
My dear Madam,
I received your letter, etc.
At the end of the letter, on the right hand of the sheet, put the
complimentary closing, and then the signature; thus--
I remain, my dear Madam,
With much respect,
Yours sincerely,
S. E. LAW.
If you place the date and address after the signature, put it at the
left of the sheet; thus--
I remain, my dear Madam,
With much respect,
Yours sincerely,
S. E. LAW.
MRS. E. C. HOWELL.
_June 27th, 1859._
For a long letter, it is better to put the date and address at the top
of the page. For a letter of only a few lines, which ends on the first
page, the second form is best. In a letter written to a person in the
same city, you need not put the address under the signature; if not,
write it--
S. E. LAW,
WILLOW GROVE, NEW YORK.
In writing to a dear friend or relative, where there is no formality
required, you may omit the name at the top of the letter; put the date
and address thus--
WILLOW GROVE, NEW YORK,
_June 27th, 1859_.
DEAR ANNA:
I write, etc.
It is best, however, to put the full name at the bottom of the last
page, in case the letter is mislaid without the envelope; thus--
E. C. LAW.
MISS ANNA WRIGHT.
If you use an envelope, and this custom is now universal, fold your
letter neatly to fit into it; then direct on the envelope. Put first the
name, then the name of the person to whose care the letter must be
directed, then the street, the city, and State. If the town is small,
put also the county.
This is the form:--
MISS ANNA WRIGHT,
Care of Mr. John C. Wright,
No. 40, Lexington street,
Greensburg--Lee County.
Mass.
If the city is a large one, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, or any of
the principal cities of the Union, you may omit the name of the county.
If your letter is to go abroad, add the name of the country: as,
England, or France, in full, under that of the city.
The name of the state is usually abbreviated, and for the use of my
readers, I give the names of the United States with their abbreviations:
Maine, Me. New Hampshire, N. H. Vermont, Vt. Massachusetts, Mass. Rhode
Island, R. I. Connecticut, Conn. New York, N. Y. New Jersey, N. J.
Pennsylvania, Pa., or, Penn. Delaware, Del. Maryland, Md. Virginia, Va.
North Carolina, N. C. South Carolina, S. C. Georgia, Ga., or, Geo.
Alabama, Ala. Mississippi, Miss. Missouri, Mo. Louisiana, La. Tennessee,
Tenn. Kentucky, Ky. Indiana, Ind. Ohio, O. Michigan, Mich. Illinois,
Ill. Wisconsin, Wis. Arkansas, Ark. Texas, Tex. Iowa, Io. Florida, Flo.
Oregon, O. California, Cal. Minnesota, Minn. District of Columbia, D. C.
If you are writing from another country to America, put United States of
America after the name of the state.
On the upper right hand corner of your envelope, put your postage-stamp.
If you send a letter by private hand, write the name of the bearer in
the lower left hand corner, thus:
MRS. E. A. HOWELL,
Clinton Place,
Boston.
Mr. G. G. Lane.
In directing to any one who can claim any prefix, or addition, to his
proper name do not omit to put that "republican title." For a clergyman,
Rev. for Reverend is put before the name, thus:--
REV. JAMES C. DAY.
For a bishop:
RIGHT REVEREND E. BANKS.
For a physician:
DR. JAMES CURTIS.
or,
JAMES CURTIS, M.D.
For a member of Congress:
HON. E. C. DELTA.
For an officer in the navy:
CAPT. HENRY LEE, U. S. N.
For an officer in the army:
COL. EDWARD HOLMES, U. S. A.
For a professor:
PROF. E. L. JAMES.
If the honorary addition, LL.D., A. M., or any such title belongs to
your correspondent, add it to his name on the envelope, thus:--
J. L. PETERS, LL.D.
If you seal with wax, it is best to put a drop under the turn-over, and
fasten this down firmly before you drop the wax that is to receive the
impression.
Cards of compliment are usually written in the third person. I give a
few of the most common and proper forms.
For a party:
Miss Lee's compliments to Mr. Bates, for Wednesday evening,
Nov. 18th, at 8 o'clock.
Addressed to a lady:
Miss Lee requests the pleasure of Miss Howard's company on
Wednesday evening, Nov. 18th, at 8 o'clock.
For a ball, the above form, with the word _Dancing_, in the left hand
corner.
Invitations to dinner or tea specify the entertainment thus:
Mrs. Garret's compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Howard, and requests
the pleasure of their company to dine (or take tea) on
Wednesday, Nov. 6th, at 6 o'clock.
The form for answering, is:--
Miss Howard accepts with pleasure Miss Lee's polite invitation
for Wednesday evening.
or,
Miss Howard regrets that a prior engagement will prevent her
accepting Miss Lee's polite invitation for Wednesday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard's compliments to Mrs. Garret, and accept
with pleasure her kind invitation for Wednesday.
or,
Mrs. Howard regrets that the severe illness of Mr. Howard will
render it impossible for either herself or Mr. Howard to join
Mrs. Garret's party on Wednesday next.
Upon visiting cards, left when the caller is about to leave the city,
the letters _p. p. c._ are put in the left hand corner, they are the
abbreviation of the French words, _pour prendre conge_, or may, with
equal propriety, stand for _presents parting compliments_. Another form,
_p. d. a._, _pour dire adieu_, may be used.
No accomplishment within the scope of human knowledge is so beautiful in
all its features as that of epistolary correspondence. Though distance,
absence, and circumstances may separate the holiest alliances of
friendship, or those who are bound together by the still stronger ties
of affection, yet the power of interchanging thoughts, words, feelings,
and sentiments, through the medium of letters, adds a sweetness to the
pain of separation, renovating to life, and adding to happiness.
The wide ocean may roll between those who have passed the social years
of youth together, or the snow-capped Alps may rise in sublime grandeur,
separating early associates; still young remembrances may be called up,
and the paradise of memory made to bloom afresh with unwithered flowers
of holy recollection.
Though we see not eye to eye and face to face, where the soft music of a
loved voice may fall with its richness upon the ear, yet the very soul
and emotions of the mind may be poured forth in such melody as to touch
the heart "that's far away," and melt down the liveliest eye into tears
of ecstatic rapture.
Without the ability to practice the refined art of epistolary
correspondence, men would become cold and discordant: an isolated
compound of misanthropy. They would fall off in forsaken fragments from
the great bond of union which now adorns and beautifies all society.
Absence, distance, and time would cut the silken cords of parental,
brotherly, and even connubial affection. Early circumstances would be
lost in forgetfulness, and the virtues of reciprocal friendship "waste
their sweetness on the desert air."
Since, then, the art and practice of letter-writing is productive of so
much refined and social happiness, a laudable indulgence in it must ever
be commendable. While it elevates the noble faculties of the mind, it
also chastens the disposition, and improves those intellectual powers
which would otherwise remain dormant and useless.
Notwithstanding the various beauties and pleasures attendant upon the
accomplishment, yet there are many who have given it but a slight
portion of their attention, and have, therefore, cause to blush at their
own ignorance when necessity demands its practice. There is no better
mode by which to test the acquirements of either a young lady or
gentleman than from their letters.
Letters are among the most useful forms of composition. There are few
persons, who can read or write at all, who do not frequently have
occasion to write them; and an elegant letter is much more rare than an
elegant specimen of any other kind of writing.
The more rational and elevated the topics are, on which you write, the
less will you care for your letters being seen, or for paragraphs being
read out of them; and where there is no need of any secrecy, it is best
not to bind your friend by promises, but to leave it to her discretion.