The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-06-19
LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION.
Why They should BE Cautiously
Given.

duction 70 friends who are about 10 visit
distant places has largely increased As the
means OF transport have been deVeloped,
and the growth Of the custom has not
been without attendant sVilA Il IA re.
lated Of Well.knOwn American writer,
that upon the first visit TO Europe, when
comparatively young and unknown, he
was furnished with letter Of introduction
10 an English noblemAn, also = literary
man. Upon delivering the letter, how.
ever, the American was disappointed BY
n message from the nOblemAn 90 the eject
that, ~ the writer Of the letter was un.
known TO him, he must decline seeing i1
bearer Such a reception must have been
exceedingly annoying TO the deliyerer Of
the letter. who may possibly have ielt
inclined 10 accuse the gentleman 70 whom
II was addressed OF gross breach OF
pOliieness The real blame, however,
rested with the writer, whose zeal on the
behalf OF his friend was no excuse for the
gross impertinence Of seeking 10 intro.
duce him to = third person unknown to
either.
The instance here quoted may be said
10 be an exceptional case, but II neverthe.
less finds lis parallel almost daily, In the
reckless manner in which letters Of intro
duction are asked for and given. It too
frequently happens that letters Of intro
duction Are addressed 10 persons with
whom the writers have, At best, but
slight acquaintance. The bearer OF such
a letter may anticipate cordial reception
upon its delivery, and find on the other
hand only modification and disappOint.
mont Introductory letters are some.
times thoughtlessly given to persons i'm.
perfectly known TO the giVeT This Is an
abuse which cannot be too severely con.
demned. The writer Of letter OF intro
duCtiOn should remember that he is
morally responsible for the integrity Of
the person introduced, and, in mercantile
Affairs, should the introduction lead di.
reCtly 10 any evil consequences, he
becomes liable TO an action Of law,
and serious penalties may be incurred,
If It be proved that the letter was
given without due caution. Though the
law may not take cogniZAnce OF evils 70.
sulting from similar negligence in private
life, the Oilensc, morally, is in no degree
lessened. A letter OF introduction should
be an assurance Of the irreprOachablc
character OF its bearer, and claim,
which cannot be disregarded, upon the
hospitality and friendship of It's receiver
The responsibility which the gift OF such
letter involves should therefore never be
assumed without an intimate knowledge
Of the character and anlecedents OF the
person TO whom the letter is given, and Il
like knowledge OF the person to whom It
is addressed. These are the fundamental
rlles by which all persons should te
guided in giving letters Of introduction,
and their neglect Is serious offence
against society, as ii affords q means by |
which those whose characters will not
bear investigation may gain admittance
into society, from which, II the truth |
were known, they would be vigorously |
excluded.
When, however, a letter rofintroduction |
is given, a second letter should be sent |
direct by post to the person 10 whom the |
letter OiintrOduCliOn Is addressed, adyis. |
ing him OF the coming visitor, and contain.
ing such further particulars OF the visitors |
merits and pretensions as may be neces.
sary. Many things may be stated in
letter sent direct in this manner, which II |
would be improper and indelicate to state |
ina letter Introduction, the more so, as
custom presCribes that letters OF intrOduc.
ton should be brief, and that they should |
remain unsealed.
There is much latitude for the exercise |
Of tact and discrimination in introducing |
strangers to each other, that their ages,
tastes and inclinations may assimilate. |
Each may possess an estimsble character |
and disposition, yet unless their tastes are
alike, or the same objects and pursuits |
have a common interest in both, an in.
PRODUCTION would only result in polite |
interchange Of commonplace cOurtesles,
and a mutual understanding that neither
was fitted for the others cOmpaniOnship. |
A thoughtful consideration Of the true |
nature OF the favor demanded, would ire. |
quently deter persons from giving letters |
Of introduction, and on the other hand |
would as frequently prevent the request
being made. II letters Of introduction |
were less readily obtained, their value |
would be more justly appreciated, and as
the principles we have indicated become |
more generally difFused, their potency in |
obtaining the desired object would be
increased.