Evening journal., 1898-08-01
LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION.
Some Important Points About the Et-
tQuette and Eject of These
Missfves.

the waters widening out into tar-reach-
ing and unending rings. Following out
this theory, we should be very careful
how we throw these stones.
A letter of introduction imposes
great obligation upon the person TO
whom Il is addressed. He or she should,
rightly, do verything that is possible
to further the wishes and happiness of
the presenter; as a matter of fact, peo-
pie usually detest to receive letter of
introduction, and their acknowledge
ment of its frequency takes the bald
form Of a dinner invitation, and moth
ing more. This has brought the intro
ductory letter into some disrepute, and
we often hear the observation that it
does more harm than good to stran-
gers in q strange town.
Naturally so, for If letter be pre-
sented to the principal lady of the town,
and she takes but the barest notice of
it, it is inevitable that an unpleasant
ness should arise, against which the
newcomer viii have much hard work
to fight.
A letter of introduction should only
be given to close friend for close
friend; IN this case there would be far
less likelihood Of unpleasantness. But
II is those letters, proffered with large
generosity by woman who has, per-
haps, received little attention from
her social superior that is TO be avoid
ed. She has no right to introduce o
friend Of hers 10 o superior without
making quite sure that it will be agree
able to the latter, and It would be quite
reasonable to expect that the letter,
thus foolishly given, would not have
much effect.
There Is much tact necessary in the
writing of n letter Of introduction; II
would be useless 10 hope to cement n
friendship by its aid when the acceptor,
we may say, was puritanical stickler
for forms and ceremonies, whilst the
presenter was a bohemian free lance;
there would only be another example
of the unmiXability of oil and water.
Each would irritate the other, and the
letter of introduction would again
be proved o fallacy.
But given people OF equal positions
!
service in the Introductory letter, which
may help TO make newcomers resi-
dence in a new town or neighborhood a
! pleasant experience rather than a
weary waste Of dullness.
1t Is only to be expected OF frail hu-
man nature that mother Of many
daughters would, with more alacrity,
show hospitality to an eligible bachelor
than TO family including several
young girls, and even @ married man
would be a moro welcome introduction
than married lady. This is quite
| natural, and should be taken into nc
count by the introductoryletter writer.
The form of letter of introduction
is variable, but should never be long;
very little outside of the person intro
ducod should be mentioned in 1t, and
if inconvenient to give some indication
of the presenter's personality. This
for instance. is q useful form IN which
letter of introduction might be cast
after u few unimportant sentences have
been penned: II am sending you this
letter by a friend, Miss (or Mrs.) West
who is visiting Exeter shortly. She Is
very fond of anything connected Will
old buildings and architecture, and, as
I know you have learned the cathedra
from A to 2, I felt could rely upor
you to show her its beauties, and alsC
to make her stay as pleasant as possi
BILE. She is such great friend of min'
that should like another great frfent
of mine to know her also. You ma!
have heardlme mention her father, Col
West, who was a very old friend of ou
family"
A letter of this description must b.
given inclosed In an addressed envelope
> but not scaled down; there could be m
' worse form than to give person
closed letter of introduction. The idei
- rs that the person for whom it Is writ
ten may read It first, and then clos
Il for dispatch. 1t IS customary to sen,
I q social letter Of introduction by han'
' or by post upon arrival at the neV
e town, and with it should be sent visit
ing card with present address in IN
new neighborhood. Some thoughtles
people omit to do this, and then wonde
Ghat their letter of introduction has rC
ceived no attention.
The person who receives the lette
should Immediately take notice of 4
either by writing TO the newcomer o
by calling upon her, and in either cas-
4 an invitation to some entertainer
g should be given. \ dinner Is, of cours'
5 the best form for II TO take, though o
h evening 'at home" win answer the pul
= rose should the hostess be careful I
rnal5e the newcomer acquainted wit
some of her own friends, so that sh
= MAY receive a further introduction I
p the local society.
s Letters of introduction, IL may l
o nbted, are more serviceable 20 the upp'
n middle classes than TO the aristocmC
% or the lower middle classes. To the 10
ter it Is almost an onl0indness TO send
l,tter ofsintroduction, for it impos'
s. Upon them the obligation OF hospitalii
2 tsAat they are possibly not in a positiC
+ to show.-Philadelphia Times.
FNHrnace Chimneys Attract Lightnin
IL has been found in Germany tn
IN thtning rods do not protect high III