Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-11-26
The ethics of Letter Writing

There Is no social accomplishment
which is more often called into requisi-
tion than the art of letter writing. To
say and do the thing ut the proper time
is one of the unwritten laws of etiquette.
1t is valuable accomplishment To per-
form this duty gracefully as well as
cOventionally. Social correspondence
ievolves quite naturally upon the wo-
men of the family. 1t is unnecessary
TO point out the value of promptness in
acknowledging and answering CORES
pondence, for il is the height of rude
ness to leave letters of question unan-
swered, La letters of invitation and
acknowledgment the severely conven-
tional form is used. Letters of intro
duction should be brief, and, they are
generally presented in person, exagger-
ated expressions of praise are not in
good taste. These, of course, and any
other letter delivered in person, are un-
sealed. Letters of coincidence are
written informally. This branch of
epistelary correspondence is difficult
one, and actual feeling is the only guide
TO good taste. 1t is in personal letters
| between relatives and friends that the
most charming specimens are found:
the goSsiping, chatty epistleS that are
| largely expected, and which bring color
into the dullest day Any one who has
been stranded in a country house In
stormy weather Will remember the
pleasant excitement caused by the arrl-
val of the mail. DR.. johnson once
made the sweeping assertion that gossip
never hurt anybody; no doubt this IS 60
ing too far, but IL cannot be denied that
/ information as TO what is ''going on"
and familiar personal items constitute
the best of these letters. The close of a
letter must accord with the address, Ill
| formality and form. A lady must not
use abbreviatiOns in her letters any
more than in her speech, nor use figures;
except, in case of date. The date OF
letter is Of Importance even in the
most trifiing matter. When q printed
address Is stamped upon sheet OF
letter paper, the date is often relegated
TO the end of the epistle. Postal cards
should be used only for business purpo'
seS, such as sending orders, brief mes
sages OF notices by mail, The cards
that come with envelopes To BIT are used
for any business message that you wish
to send enclosed; in answering ques-
zion, sending a memorandum OF making
familiar inquiry. The enveloped card
stands midway between the postal card
and the note sheet. Always use the
folded note Cor any formal writing. Ii
shows more care, and therefore more
compliment, Just as the card, for some
strange reason, is easier TO pick up Tor q
hasty line in an envelope.
When a note that requires all answer
is sent to any one unknown to the VII
ter always enclose postage stamp.
Formal notes and letters are generally
written in the third person. Ii is con
sidered inelegant to sign letter MRS,
- If it is necessary in giving the
address, place it in brackets under the
full name. A firm, clear handwriting
is mark of good breeding. "f ours,
truly" or VERY truly yours, Is goins
out of date, just as these, in their turn,
supplanted Your obedient servant
and Yours 10 command" " Cordial
ly," "With high regard, +" Sincerely
or respectfully as the case may
admit, are more In use. The selection
of writing paper and envelopes depend
upon individual taste. Plain, heavy
paper Is fashionable at present. Th'
practice of perfuming letter paper
alwas in questionable taste. Is entlrel!
out Of date.