The Penn's Grove record., 1884-11-22

There is no social accomplishment
which Is more often called into Tequisi-
ton than the art of letter writing. To
ray and do the thing at the proper time
Is one of the unWTitten laws of etiquette.
1t is a valuable accomplishment to per-
form this duty gracefully as well as
eOYentionally, Social correspondence
ieyolves quite naturally upon the wO-
men Of the family, 1t is unnecessary
% point out the value of promptness in
acknowledging and answering cores
pOndence, for it Is the height Of rude.
ness to leave letters Of question unan-
swered. In letters of invitation and
acknowledgment the severely %,conyen-
tional form Is used. Letters OF intro
duction should be brief, and, they ara
generally presented in person, exagger-
ated expressions of praise ale not ia
good taste. These, of course, and any
other letter delivered in person, are an
sealed. Letters of coincidence are
written informally. This branch of
epistelary correspondence is a difficult
one, and actual feeling Is the only guide
to good taste. II 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 III a country house in
stormy weather will remember the
pleasant excitement caused by the arri-
val of the mail. Dr.. Johnson once
made the sweeping assertion that gossip
never hurt anybody; no doubt this is go
ing too far, but 1t cannot be denied that
information a 5 to what is ''going on
and familiar personal items constitute
the best Of these letters. The close of IA
letter must accord with the address, in
formality and form. A lady must not
use authorizations in her letters any
more than in her speech, nor use figures;
except, in case of a date. The date OF
a letter is of Importance even la the
most trihing matter. When a printed
address Is stamped upon a 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 ft are used
for any business message that you wish
to send enclosed; in answering a ques-
ton, sending q memorandum or making
a familiar inquiry. The enveloped card
stands midway between the postal card
and the note sheet. Always use the
folded note for any formal writing. II
shows more care, and therefore more
compliment, Just as the card, for some
strange reason, is easier TO pick up for a
hasty line in an envelope.
When 3 note that requires an answer
is sent to any one unknown TO the wri-
ter always enclose a postage stamp.
Formal notes and letters ara generally
written in the third person. 1t Is con-
sidered i~nelegant to sign a letter Mrs.
-" If it is necessary in giving the
address, place it in brackets under the
full name. A firm, clear handwriting
is a mark Of good breeding. "Yours,
truly" or every truly yours, " is going
out of date, just as these, in their turn,
supplanted Your obedient servant"
Snd ''Yours TO command. cordial
ly,'' ''WiLh high regard, - Sincerely
or respectfully" as the case may
admit, are more in use. The selection
of writing paper ana envelopes depend
upon individual taste. Plain, heavy
paper Is fashionable at present. The
practice of pertaining letter paper,
alwas in questionable taste. Is entirely
out Of date.