The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-02-26
Ethics 5fIsttsr Wiftt,nx.

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There is no social accomplishment
which is more often called into requisi-
ton than tho art Of letter writing. To
say and do tho proper thing at the pro-
per time is one Of the unwritten laws Of
etiquette. II is . valuable accomplish.
'nent to perform this duty gracefully.
Social correspondence devolves quite
naturally upon the women of tho fami-
ly. 1t is unnecessary to point ont the
value Of promptness in acknowledging
and answering corre1pondence; tor it IS
tho height of rudeness to leave letters Of
question unanswered. In letters of in.
vitation and acknowledgement the &c.
verely conventional form is used. Let.
tiers of introduction should be brief,
and, as they are generally presented in
person, exaggerated expressions of
praise are not in good TASTE These, of
course, and any other letter delivered
in person, are unsealed. Letters of
coincidence are written informally.
This branch IF epistolary correspond.
ence is difficult one, and actual feel
ing is the only guide to- good taste. It
is Id 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. Anyone who has been stranded
in country house in stormy weather
will remember the pleasant excitement
caused by the arrival of the mail. DR..
Johnson once made the sweeping asser.
ton that gossip never hurt anybody no
doubt this is going too far, but it can
not be denied that information as to
what is "going on" and familiar personal
items constitute the best. Of these let.
ters. The close of q letter must &C.
cord with the address, in Formally
and form. A lady must not use ab-
breviations in her letters any more
than in her speech, nor use figures, ex-
cept in case of date. The date of q
letter is of Importance even in the most
trifing matter. When q printed ad-
dress is stamped upon sheet of letter
paper, the date is often relocated to the
end of the epistle. Postal cards should
be used only for business purposes,
such as sending orders, brief messages
or notice by mail.
The cards that come with envelopes
to fit are used for any business message
that you wish to send enclosed; in an.
swering q question, sending a memoran-
dunn or making familiar inquiry.
The enveloped card stands midway be-
tween the postal card and the note
sheet. Always use the folded note for
any formal writing. It shows more
care, and therefore more compliment,
just as the card, for some strange rea-
son, is easier to pick up for hasty line
in an envelope.
When q note that requires an answer
is sent to any ono unknown to the
writer always enclose o postage stamp.
Formal notes and letters are generally
written in the third person. It 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 handwrit-
ing is q mark ofgood breeding: "Yours,
truly" or VERY truly yours" is going
out of date, just as these, in their turn,
supplanted "Your obedient servant
and "Yours to command" 'Cordiallv,"
with high regard ''Sincerely" or
Respectfully" Us the case may admit,
are more in use. The selection of writ
ing paper and envelopes depends upon
individual taste. Plain, heavy paper
is fashionable at present. The practice
of pertaining letter paper, always in
questionable taste, is entirely out Of
date.