The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-01-25

But o. for the wise, loving, home girls,
There's constant and stead y demand.
Chapter on Correspondence.
1t is we'll known that the art of let
ter writing is an art by itself; that it
is an index of the culture of the
writer and carries his personality in
more ways than one. A letter may
be written by Il very scholarly per-
son, who has Travelled and seen much
Of the world, and yet fail where the
letter is concerned, ard on the other
hand, a person may have but little
education and spare observation and
still excel in correspondence
Men as a class are terse and concise
on paper, and the ordinary letter does
not lengthen in their case. Whole
chapters can be said by the pen in a
page or two, so far as they are con-
cerned, except in the case OF love
letter, when both men and wo men
view the letter in another sense.
There is no doubt that women are
more gifted as letter writers than
men; they are vivacious naturally and
possess that social gayety and light
ness of touch which are part of an
epistles charm. All young wo men
delight in a voluminous correspond
ence. 1t is regarded as an important
social function, and keeps them in
view BY those whom distance separ :
ateS
For the mere manner of the letter,
every season brings us new fashions
IN note and letter paper. A high
class tationer mentions the Worces-
ter, gray wove, and antique parch =
ment rs among some of the best in
vogue at the moment The envelopes
may be square or oblong us prefer
ence dictates, with, however, fash
ionable leaning toward the former
Ruled paper betrays an ignorance
OF social customs and in reality be-
longs to children and uneducated per-
sons, who cannot write without lines.
For headings of stationery tastes
differ, and u considerable choice, any
of which is permissible, is offered at
the shops of known authorities in
such matters. A crest a coat of arms,
4 monogram, or merely the initials or
addresses are all used, taste only stip-
ulating there shall be nothing garish
or outre. Elegance sanctions nothing
ike red paper with black lettering, or
green and gold or any similar daz-
cling combinations. A few pale tints
and some slightly roughened surfaces
are not objectionable, but as a rule,
smooth white or cream paper is the
safest choice. 1t may be added that
there are unwritten laws of suitability
III this matter, as in most things, and
an exaggerated elegance and flour
ish of stationery on the part of per
sons in olest circumstances add,
| want of tast to waste of money.
The e:iquet of letter. writing Is al
most without end, First, we are told
| that the letter sent on business should
have a stamp and envelope inclosed il
| an answer is expected at an early
date. Then every letter either o
| business or otherwise, should be an
swered promptly. 1t is not considered
form to begin a letter with an apology
for not writing, that is expressed di
rcctiy, aud some particular letter
writers always slip the opening sen
tence about so that that pronouu ~
shall not be the openi ng word. An
other rule is the avoidance of flour.
! ishes and eccentricitics of handwrit
| ing,
| Postal cards are TO be employed fol-
q business message or an inferior. Ii
polite society their usefulness extend,
no further
There is q distinction, too, in The
matter of address, Dear Mrs. Hop
kias" showing less degree of init
macy than my Dear Mrs. Hopkins "
These forms are, however, quite a
often used Interchangeable, such us,
no being regarded in the light of
heinous offense. There is a certai
intuitive courtesy in the knowing
| when 10 drop the formal Dear Sir
| and Dear Madam" a sort Of recogni
ton of ones claim to acquaintance
that is possessed by some persons an,
indehnably enjoyed by those to VIII or
it is extended. 1t is like the bit 0
| breeding which forstalls an introduc
ton, where the two persons about Il
be introduced are perfectly wei
known to each other, either by sigh
or because, under existing circum
stances, neither could be nybod
| else.
N the matter Of signatures there /
again an opportunity for the mic
discrimination of degrees OF intimac
and Formally Very truly yours
q shade more cordial, perhaps, thai
tie Very truly" of pure business
and SO through sincerely" Cord
ally" and Faithfully with an
without the adverbs most an
very" Women of tact and courtes
know how to nut a pleasant warmtl
in their letters by just the closing G
then--perhaps that is why they ar
apt to be such acceptable correspond
ents-and they rarely err, either, i
knowing when to put it.
Punctilious persons, either men {
women, never avail themselves {
hotel or clubhouse paper in notes q
ceremony. TO such their portfolio
/! almost as individual as their soa
dish. And punctilious men do nc