The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-10
SPRING GOSSIP IN
THE FASHIONABLE WORLD
NoteWrtng as Fine Art with the Modern Society Woman
Who Appreciates the Aesthetics of Stationery

In little brochure just issued by the
Writings the aesthetics of stationery
are discussed and for either the modern
society woman, the debutante and the
young matron coming under this head.
and for the business man as well. there
are given the correct form. which more
than even the fashions in dress, changes
with the periods.
According to this little brochure,
clever woman of the -Four Hundred has
defined etiquette as common sense in
the usages of society-with a little heart
tl-own in.
Tact" SHE caustieally declares, is
the result of education undertaken to
produce successful results"
The gulf between good and bad form
in small points of etiquette is vast To
pertnaciously adhere to old forms when
they have been discarded for more ele-
giant ones is stupid. While it is by no
means necessary to keep pace with every
passing fad of fashion, cultivated men
and women always desire to be in touch
with the times.
In compiling this brochure the best
authorities of this country and Europe
have been consulted.
The grand dame of fashion requires
stationery a trifle more elegant and of
somewhat heavier texture than that with
which she provides the desk of the de-
butante.
Frequently even TO the grand dame,
one of the most puzzling ethics of note
and letter writing is with regard to the
does not of course apply to the CORE
spondence of relatives or such near
frineds as those to whom may fittingly
be accorded an affectionate term
Sincerely" is a good old English con-
chson; dignihed and fitting where the
degree of friendship is slight or of
formal character.
Cordially" or "Very cordially" is in
use between friends and acquaintance
where a directly affeetionate signature is
not desirable.
Very truly is a purely business sig
nature, correct either for men or wom-
en- 1t is wholly inadmissible in polite
correspondence.
In writing a note, a matron should
under no circumstances sign her mar
ried name This is correct to add in the
lower left-hand corner of the note
The modish society woman no more
thinks of travelling without a supply of
the latest correct stationery than she
does of starting off without her toilet
accessories. Hotel stationery should al
ways be avoided, as its use,s save Tor
purely business purposes. is inelegant III
the extreme.
Another item about which the modish
woman is quite as particular, ana at the
present time especially insistent upon,
is the addressing of notes and letters to
the men of her acquaintance.
Formerly it was correct to write the
prefix. Mr." This form of address has
now almost entirely gone out of vogue.
Reyerting to Colonial rays Dame Fash
ion has again set her seal OF approvai
upon that fine old English affiX'
Esquire
This dignified affix is equally appliea-
BILE when addressing a letter to man IN
nrivate life. a cabinet officer, or any one
in official life, and is now supersedlnS
the prefix, Honorable.
So entirely obsolete has the prehN
Mr." become that 1t is current IN fash-
iooahlo life only when communication
is TO be addressed other than for social
or private, use.