St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-02-21
FASHIONS FOR The MAIL.
A Few Pointers on the Art Of Letter
Writing.
A GO-AS-YOU-PLEASE AGE
Letter Writer'S Should Be Consistent
Even if the Authorities Do
Differ.


There isa great deal of nonsense said
and written on what is 'in style" and
what has "gOne out" for this Is GER
tainly "gO-as-yOu-please'' age and
style is very nearly synonymous term
for individual liking, says the Chicago
Herald. AS we are pleased to declare
over and over again, in the words of the
publican, if with different mean
ing: 80 Lord, thank thee that am
not as other men are!' Everybody's
taste does not please everybody else,
and styles are too numerous to be
counted. What is one to do, however,
when even authorities differ? "Ah,
there lies the rub" There are so many
authorities, and each separate and in
dividual one cOlOrs his assertions and
suggestions by the things near enough
to him to observe, as well as his own
ideas upon the matter under discussion.
We are but creatures of circumstance
and association, and these are so varied
throughout the universe that few per-
sons or things run in the same groove.
Even III the tritling matters which form
but the SO-called elegancieS of life how
can one feel sure that such and such a
thing is quite right? 1t is easy enough
that.'5 Follow the leaders and then
you will be all right ''Do as
erybOdy else udOes,' etc. But when
everybody follows no leader but his
own sweet will; when customs vary
shall the other bodies set up an own
sweet will, too, or make feeble imita-
ton. AprOpOs of all this little in
stance occurred of late. A young man
from New York, swell young man,
was talking to a lady. (hs-h-h-h from
the West.2 A servant handed her some
letters. AS she, after the usual
apology, was glancing them over he OBJ
served one sealed with large wax seal.
Being on terms of intimacy with the
back woods. eh?'' pointing to the sealed
envelope. 'Why?'' said She, with a
glance of surprise. "Oh! wax is trife,
the veriest trlfle, out of date" II
didn't think so. l know a great
many persons who still use wax!" do
you, really?' replied the positive youth,
'do you. really! Well, assure you, no
one in New York even thinks of using
it now. 1t has utterly gone out" The
lady had become absorbed in the con-
tents of her letter and made no immedi-
ate answer, but presently little smile
came/tO light up her eyes, and crept
down to the corners of her mouth, where
it wavered and flickered but a moment.
and then was suppressed ere she
looked up at her companion and care
ton. Who were you saying is authority
on these little matters of stationery in
New York;" "Oh, Tiffany" exclaimed
the very swell young man from New
York, plunging head over heels into the
pitfall so neatly spread for him. tiff
any; we all depend on Tiffany for such
things. They know exactly what's what
there'
''Let me read you line or two from
this letter, which, by the way, Is from
very wealthy and fashionable woman in
New York city, who says, en- PEASANT:
Now. my dear. tell me how You like my
new seal. 1t is just cut for me at
Tiffany's-the very latest thing. 1t is
mch prettier than my last one. Don't
think [ am in my dOtage to use this
glaring red wax. 1t, too, is the thing
just now, also recommended by Tiffany,
and they are so safe to rely on"
Let-uS not pursue the tale to its. bitter
end. All the world has seen positive
people back out of unpleasant Situa-
tions, and all the world know it is
rarely. nay, never, done well, and it is
mere tOSS-up who feels the worse. the
poor unfortunate or the observer, who
was so ready and willing to catch the
layer-dOWn-Of-lawS moment before.
In this instance there was truth in
both statements, and SO it might be said
that every shield has two sides. Some
persons in good society use illuminated
monOgrams: others as brilliantly printed
-, % =.
who have read Henry James very satir-
ical article on the use OF the laSt-named
devices are wary of availing
themselves of such dangerous
glOrieS. Some argue that these
things give charm to modern letter
writing. Again, persons who sheer at
these things argue in the same strain
about seals and wax. Women who af-
feet their use assert that character can
be read in the manner seal is set. Ger
tain it is that guess can be made as to
whether the writer took pains and care
in forming the seal; but the gift of sec
Ond sight would have to be added
to prove that a person was neat and
orderly Of habit because he or she
took fancy tOmake perfect wax seal.
There is trick about it, too, and few
take the time to carry it out. The wax
SIlOuiu UC LClu HCdI Vic UldZt anu
slowly sOftened, but never be put into
it, for it blackens the seal. The surest
way to be in good taste is to buy a good
quality of paper,in medium-sized sheets,
always plain, creamy white, with
an unobtrusive envelope; use a
monogram OF not, as you like,
seal your letter or not, also as
you like, write plainly and clearly, al
ways with black ink, and take enough
pains to make each page neat. If gen
eral characteristic of your things is
daintiness, keep amidst your paper
some faint scent. If in other matters
you show no prediction for scents
and such dainty trifles, eschew them
in regard to stationery. But any lit
tie habit of this kind once adopted
should be continued. Nothing can be
less feature of good taste than using
blue paper to-day and red tomorrow
violet, pink or black; monogram on
some kinds; a crest OH others; a seal
this time; none the next; some paper
scented; others not.
Consistency is ever jewel, and it
takes no more time and no more money
to be consistent in even this trifiing
affair. S. S. E. NJ.
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