New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-16

THE Courtesies: A Book Of Etiquette for Every
Day" by Eleanor B. Clapp "a. 8. Barnes s. Co.
New-York), is a recent addition to the woman
Home Library edited by Mrs. Margaret f. Sangster-
It is designed meet the needs OF what are known
as plain people," the information being grouped
about practical subjects, such visiting cards
tust how and when TO use them; invitations. and
how to answer them; going to dance; common
sense about the chaperon; what to wear and when
to wear it: chdren's parties and good form at
table
Concerning the proper size Of married women's
visiting cards Miss Clapp says: "At present the
fashionable size for a visiting card for married
woman is 3 inches wide by 2h inches high. 1t
should be made of pure white ungazed bristol
board and be flexible, but not too thin, the very
thin cards used year two ago being no longer
considered good style. 1t should be engraved across
the centre with the owners name"
Miss Clapp says 1t is matter OF personal prefer
ence whether the initial the husbands middle
mama he nIaced on the card but his first must
be in full To indicate by initial only the hus-
bands first and put his middle name IN ruI
upon the card (Mrs. r. Mortimer Clark, for IN
stance), is not at all good taste. Authorizations Of
the husbands name upon visiting cards as 'Char-
lie" "Jim" Harry" never seen in good So
ciety.
divorced wonan's card, II she retains the sur
name of her former husband has prefxed TO 1t her
maiden name. For instance. If she was Miss
Ogden her cards should be engraved. Mrs. Ogden
She is known simply as Mrs. Mary Ogden"
Notes and letters have a chapter all to them
seleves In Berlin the author was once graveiy
told by, a German that most American women did
not even know enough to write properly their notes
and letters And in proof of this sweeping state
1nent he showed me eplste from his niece bear
ing the postmark of one OF our large western
cities.
lust look at that! he said. There is not a
naraeraph or a comma in the whole four pages.
and hardly period What do you learn over there
in place OF punctuation?
Because there is good deal OF truth In what no
said Miss Clamp begins at the very beginning or
tho eentle art of writing notes. and takes up the
.rbtect Of note paper. Society is very particular
in This resnect and demands that paper of good
ouslitv be used either in white or cream. or at
most In verv dull blue gray. But the white
paner Is considered in the very best taste. The
surface may be either the smooth vellum finish or
tho rougher linen as preferred. but the quality
must he good not fimsy and cheap Never. under
any circumstances use ruled paper; this Is In
tended only for children. and shouIo De as
carded lust as soon as has learned 10 write
nronerlv Square envelopes are always IN goou
taste and at present fashion sanctions the use ais"
Of envelopes little longer than they are broad foi
friendly correspondence
Again. ut used TO considered necessary to
boyo ma rrov margin on the left side OF the note
paper but although this is very good plan' ana
gives the correspondence neat appearance -
no longer imperative. and many of the best edu-
Gated people write all the paper But there IS
one practice that must never be INDUCED ID ana