The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-01
How to Write Notes.

amongst the bellies .! thirty years ago.
The rose colored aud scented billet
doux' Is often referred to IN the novel.
of that period. But colored note paper
got a bad name long ago, and for the
last few year We have not seen the
heavy tIuts. \ tew pale greens. grays,
baoS. aud lilac, have, indeed. found a
ace III fashionable stationery, and ;
deep coffee colored heavy paper hal =
little about three years ago. but IL the
present moment no coiors that are ap
preciable are considered stvlish. unless
II may be ecru, which i only a creamy
white.
ADd a long truce is now being hidden
t. the tanciful emblazoned colorei mon
gram the crest and cipher are laid on
ths shelf, and ladies have simply the
number and street oftheir city residence
T the name Of their country place
printed in one color generally in a
color, or, latest device Of fashion. a fac
smile Of their initials, carefully en-
Rraved, and dashed across the corner OF
the note paper. The day Of the week.
also copied from their own handwriting,
Is often impressed upon the square
C rds now so much In use for short
notes, or on the note paper.
There is one fashion which has never
changed, and never will change, which
is always in good taste. and which per
haps would be to-day the most perfect
Of all styles, and that Is a good plain
thick English note paper, folded square,
put IN a square envelope, and sealed
with red sealing wax, which bears the
imprint of the writer's coat of arms.
No one can make any mistake who uses
such stationery as this in any part of
the world. On such paper aud in such
form are ambassadors notes written
on such paper and in such style would
the Princess Louise write her notes.
However, there i, no law against the
monogram. Many ladies still prefer
it, and always use the paper which has.
become familiar to their friends. Ii
is, however, a past rather than a pres
ent fashion.
The plan of having all the note paper
marked with the number and street is
admirable one, for it effeCtu.lly re
minds the person who receives the note
where to address the answcr-s fact
which some ladies forget emphasize,
and which should Away. be written, il
not printed. as The head of = letter. 1t
also give a stylish fnish to the appear
ance of the note paper, j. simple, un-
pretending, and useful.
Ii is impossible to give persons minute
directions as to the style of a note, for
that must be the growth of years OF
careful education, training, aud good
mental powers. ITO write a pretty
note" is also somewhat OF q gift. Some
Young men and young girls find it very
easy, Others can scarcely acquire the
power. 1t is, however, absolutely neces-
ssry to strive for it.
Above all things kaor holc to spell.
4 word badly spelled stands out like a
blot on a familiar or 4 ceremonious
note.
Do not send = blurred, blotted,
slovenly note to any one il you can
possibly help it. l. will remain to call
up a certain peejudice against you in
the mind of your friend. The fashion
il not now as it once was, imperative as
to the leaving a margin around the
edge Of the paper. People now writo
all over the paper, and bus abolish q
StCSdhSC hlI NV IN lCIl0iS
undoubtedly possess. But postage must
be saved, and all we can ask Of the
youthful letter writers is that they will
not cross their letters. Plaid letters
are the horror Of all people who have
net the eyes Of a hawk.
No letter or note should be written on
ruled paper. That ia both elegant and
questionable, and savers of the school
room. Every young person should
learn to write q straight letter without
lines.
The square cards are used very much.
and are quite large enough for the
transmission of all that q lady generally
wishes to say in the giving or accep-
tanee of an invitation. The day of the
week and the address are often both
printed on the card.
Square envelopes, have also driven
the long ones lrom the table Of the
elegant note-nriter, and the castom OF
sealing ali ceremonious notes with seal
ing wax is still adkeard to by the most
~fsstidious. 1t would be absurd, hos
ever to say that it i. nearly rs common
as the more convenient habit Of moIS-
tening the gummed envelope, but it is
far more elegant, and everJ young per
son should learn how to seal a note
prspsrly. To get q good Impression
from an engraved tone seal, anoint it
lightly with linseed- oil to keep the wax
frsm adhering; then dust it with
rouge powder to take off the gloss, and
press it quickly but firmly on the melted
wax.
The date is allowable in numerals, as
June Sd" But as a general principle
all words should be written out. Few
Authorizations are respectful. A mar
ried lady should always be addressed
by the name Of her husband.
In our country, where We have no
titles, it i. the custom 10 abbreviate
everything excepting tie title Of Rev
ersnd," which we always give to the
clergy. But it would be better If we
studied to give to each person his spe
cIal title, as His Honor Chief Justice
Blank" or His s1cellency the Prssl-
dent and to all returned ambassadors,
members of Congress. and members .!
the Legislature the title Of Honor
BILE" The Roman Catholic clergy and
the bishop of the Episcopal and Metho.
dist Churches should be addressed by
their proper titles, and a note should
be, like q s~alutation, infused with re
spect. 1t h1nors him who receives and
him who writes while = careless letter
Iuiurcs and insults both. -Udrper
Bdzd.
The Warm Springs in Madison coun
ty, y. c., have been sold to Col. Beth
eL. of Memphis. Tenn, and Col. Clisby