Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-12-29
DIRECTIONS FOR LETTER WRITING

be readily conceded by all that the contents OF
a letter are, after all, the most important part.
A person would be inclined to excuse inele-
sancies of paper, folding, sealing, &c, if the
letter revealed within, indications of heart
and mind cultivated and refined; though one
who could write an elegant letter, would hard
ly be likely to forfeit his character tor refine
n1ent by clumsy externals.
1t was once considered quite the Slashon"
to commence in the middle, or below the mid
die of the page. But it is much more sensi-
BILE mode of proceeding to commence writing
at the distance of about two inches from the
top of the page, unless lisa formal or business
letter, in which all that is necessary can be
said in two or three lines. In this case, CON-
mence so as TO leare the same distance abore as
riu be left belo,0 the writing. This is rule
to be observed in writing notes OF inv't
&c.
When short letter or note is to be n,
1t is customary and graceful to place the date
at the bottom, little below the signature, and
on the opposite side from it. But in writing
business or social letters, it is better way to
put it in the usual place at the top OF the let
ter In business letter it Is more convenient
for reference, and in friendly letter there is
less danger that it will be forgotten.
Avoid the use of figures in your letters, ex-
cept in the date; they detract from the ele.
gance of the epistle. Express in words any
sum you may have occasion to mention.
Be extremely careful that you use capital
letters correctly, even in familiar letter. New
er write the day of tie week or the name Of
the month, without spelling it with capital
letter. Punctuate correctly, and use capitals
to commence all new paragraphs and sentences;
this is desirable to render your letter inteliigi-
BILE, as well as elegant. The dash, in punctu,
alton, is more allowable in letter than in a
book, still it should be used sparngly; its in
defniteness renders it favorire with the young
people, who are uncertain as to the proper
punctuation.
Do not write letter in which various sub
jects are referred to, without making new par
agraphs whenever the subject is changed. In
making paragraphs, commence them at the
same distance from the margin that you will
see them in book, or in any printed matter
1t is common fault to commence paragraph
nearer the right hand margin than the left,
which is vu garitp
In regard to commencing the letter, in 4
formal manner. would advise you to study to
be as easy as possible, without ah"ctatloh,
which, by the way, is to be avoided III every
thing about the letter, quite rs much as III any
other mode Of intercourse with the world. DO
not have any regular way Of beginning, bat let
your feelings at the time, or towards the per-
son to whom you are writing, direct the mode
OF commencing.
Avoid too great familiarity, as well as too
much forrality, to your friends. BE playful,
aftctionate and frank. Use no slang phrases !;
make no coarse expressions or illusions; re.
member that the mere common-placcs OF af-
fection, sympathy and morality, add neither to
the grace nor interest of a letter; do not use
quotations, unless they are Enthusiastically apt !;
avoid all pedanlc expressions, or foreign
phrases; be simple, be earnest and true.
Indulge in wit or banter with judcious mod
Grafton, make no extravagant expressions OF
admiration or affection; be careful how you
say anything sarcastic, or bitter, or otherwise
unamiable, for you must remember that what
might be overlooked in conversation, as the re.
suit Of carelessness, or might be forgotten, will
be remembered with much more consideration,
and receives stronger authority from the fact
that it is written down as the result OF our cool
and deliberate opinion. Never write what you
would be afraid for third person to see, nerer
urite an anonymous letter, than which nothing
is more cowardly aud dishonorabe!
Be very respectful when writing to those
older than yourself, particularly to your pa
rents who deserve much honor and love. Be
careful how you use harsh words, if you must
give reproof; they will rankle long after you
have forgotten them, and produce bitter fruit
If you are writing to any one who has paid
you any attention, or done you a favor, how
ever slight, acknowledge it as gracefully as you
can, and express in all sincerity, the gratitude
you feel 1t is the height of rudeness to write
to one who has done you a-tavor and make no
mention oft, no matter how near the relation
ship, or how great the familiarity between you.
1t is considered polite, in ordinary letters of
friendship, to write to the middle OF the fourth
page, leaving that part Of the letter which will
be outside when folded, blank, but this is a
mere matter of etiquette, as the envelope will
keep it neat and and cover all you say. In
these days Of cheap postage, it is inexcusable to
write too closely, or to cross your letter, rem
dering them difficult to read. 1t is etiquette un
der the new postage law, to prepay your let
ters, unless you write to some one who par
ticularly requests you not to do so. All post
Offices have stamps for sale, and every one
At lee, Co.,