Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-08-21
PEN AND PAPER.


sion of character as dress or speech.
The cut. the color, and the arrange
ment of the dress indicates the position,
taste and inclination of the wearer; the
tone of voice, the pronunciation. and
the thought expressed in speech is
complete index to the individual who
holds your attention, and not less GER
tainly does the color of ink used. the
shape and quality of paper, and the
fashioning of the characters in writ
ten communication tell the story Of the
personality of the inditer.
To be sure we are governed or fashion
ed in each by certain arbitrary rules pc
culiar to the time and place. but it is in
the adaptation of these mandates that
the individual crops out.
At one time no dress was complete
without trail. and it was in its man
agement that woman's grace or awk-
wardness was apparent.
II was an individual surviving under
herculean difficulties that led a certain
young man to be spoken of lately as "a
sensible, respectable dude"
The soft tones and smooth, gramati-
cal sentences of educated persons are
noticeable even when marred by the
drawing tones aesthetic culture gives,
or the twang the Yankee atmosphere
| imparts.
Thus does an unobstrusive color of
ink, heavy. plain paper. and neatness
of the sheet, indicate the lady or gen.
tleman. Notwithstanding the style Of
handwriting in vogue.
Fifty years ago. the very delicate.
very regular. very slanting characters
of the Italian style of handwriting was
in use; this. while lacking in character,
possessed the one recommendation of
legibility.
Then came in the English style, very
square. very imposing. stately as Brit
annia herself. but wholly illegible.
| At this time we have in use. gener-
orally. happy combination of both,
and perhaps at no former time has
more Importance been attached to let
ter writing than at present
Business men consider it most es-
sential dignity to maintain. and their
handsomely engraved letter-heads and
carefully dictated and neat typewriter
mail are carefully considered indica'
tions of their business standing.
1t was formerly believed that illegi-
bility and haste indicated enterprise
and promptness; but while they do moi
entirely abandon money-saving ano
time-sav;ng. they now consider beauty
saving as well.
In letter-writing it is demonstrated
that it is practicable TO combine useful
ness and legibility.
Ladies of leisure can have no excuse
for such an omission. which in them
would be at once unladylike and dis
courteous.
They are aided in this work by the
perfect pens. perfect paper. and perfect
ink of the day.
Steel pens are most generally used il
preference to the more expensive golt
ones at one time considered indispensa
BILE.
The variety and excellence of paper
is unlimited for ladies' use, but tn,
heavy, cream-laid. moderate sizeC
sheet, unruled, is considered in mos
elegant taste.
The sheet may be simply ornament
ed by the address of the writer, thu
street. and number. or. if suburban
the name, as "Rosebush Villa" il
plain, handsome engraving. We learI
that Mrs. Cleveland uses stationery
adorned with her monogram in hersldi'
fashion, and the motto in Latin
Where bees are. there is honey" ant
perhaps this will lead to innovations.
The use of sealing-wax. recently In
troduced. met with hearty reception
at first, but lately we see but little o
it's use. The convenient self-sealin,
envelopes, for which wax seals ar
superfuous, are too neat and expedien
, to be Immediately supersedsd.-Chscag
Ledger.