The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1885-09-19
STATIONE cry.
The styles That Obtain in Eplstolary
Writing.
an.

Inc styles That ODta'n III Eplstoiary
Writing.
Perhaps you think the headline is a
misnomer, but it is not in one sense,
and ought not to be in another. We
are gradually approaching in these en-
lightened days that millennium in fash
ions when every one will adopt that
custom and habit in dress and all SIM
liar things which seem best in their
eyes, and refuse to be swerved from it
by any one else. 1t has not quite come
as yet, and meanwhile each can do
something to help it along.
In the matter of ones stationery, the
very best "style" is to have a style of
ones own. Select carefully the size,
grade, tint and general fashion of pa
per and envelopes which you prefer,
and adopt it as your own, using it con-
stantly until it becomes distinctive.
This is always possible if you choose
good, standard style and grade, as such
are kept constantly in stock by station
ers, and can always be found, while the
senseless and vulgar whims of the hour
the "hemstitchcd" borders. the rag
ged edges" the "crazy-quilt' papers,
the hideous orange, blue and red Ell
Mehdi' which is the latest caprice, are
mushroom fancies which disappear
after month and are known no more.
The palmer and simpler the paper
chosen the more elegant. A linen pa
per, creamy white in tint and a little
roughened in finish. is very good. So
/ is perfectly smooth, satiny, plate
finish, which some prefer as easier to
write upon. The heaviest qualities of
these papers should retail at less than
fifty cents per quire, while lighter
weights and the smooth finish, which is
not plate. finished, but looks nearly as
we'll, can be bought as low as fifteen
cents per quire.
That is, provided one purchases in
quantities of not less than five quires at
a time. This is at once the most con-
venient and cheapest way to do; yet
old stationers say that the average
woman buys her paper by the single
quire ninety times out of hundred,
and changes her style with every guire.
Nothing should vary the plainness of
the paper except the address, which
may be printed or engraved at the top
of the sheet, or the crest and arms If
one has them. These are allowable,
but monograms and fancy designs OF
all sorts should be frowned down.
The fashion of using sealing wax,
which has recently been revived, is an
exceedingly pretty and sensible custom.
The seal used should be small, and
may be ones crest, arms, monogram
or initial, but never pet name OF any
thing of that sort As to the wax, j,
is we'll to select some favorite color and
use it habitually, though many people
prefer variety in this, and it is perfect
ly allowable. A paragraph which went
the rounds of the papers last spring
gave the sentiments denoted by the va.
rious colors of wax, but this is pure
nonsense, except that people in mourn.
ing should use black. The common
color is red, though for young lady
pale green, gray or blue is very pretty.
Don't use the waters made in imita
ton of seals which one sometimes
sees. They are not what they pretend
to be, and shams should always bt
discouraged. The directions for using
wax are sometimes elaborate and com
plicated, but it is really very simple
matter Hold the stick of wax over
the flame of lamp or gas-jet, as q
candle is apt to smoke and burn tn,
wax. When soft, touch to the envel
ope, and if enough does not come of
repeat the process. Make the spot o
wax as round as possible if your sea
is round, and to do this gentle pres
sure with the fingers does not harm it
Then hold the letter over the lamp
wax downward, till you see it is soft
lay the letter down, take up the seal
breathe upon it, and press it firml.
upon the wax, letting it stand mo
ment to cool. 1t is well to clean tn
J seal occasionally, and oil it with SOM
fine clear oil to prevent it from stickin.
to the wax. A dull impression cal
be made by busting little. powder
vermilon, of the same hue as the wax
which can be bought at any paint
, shop, over the seal before using. If
; has fine lines, however, this is apt t.
fill them up and give an ,unsatisfactor.
impression. boston Herald. '