The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-07-27

what you are going TO say
and leave of without knowing what
you have said"
This is very excellent advice, UNI
doubtedly. TO him or her possessed OF
the divine afflatus. struggling 10 ex'
press itself, in terms OF matter. TO A
willing ear and a lenient eye, ready 10
drink Ia the emotion back OF the
words, and with little or no heed for
the rhetoric which is only the me-
dunn.
But letter-writing in itself. which
has always been considered nhe
art. requires that the successful social
secretary be absolutely perfected III
all the nice shades OF expression.
Our grandmothers and great grand
mothers, II they were women or a
cultivated literary taste. prided them
selves very much upon their ability
as scribes, and many OF their lengthy
epistles, which no women or To-Day
could find time TO write, no matter
what her taste might be, unless she
made a profession OF literature. nave
been treasured in the family archives,
or have found their way into print,
as specimens OF the epistolary taste OF
their time, or. as permanent biograph-
zeal sketches. in fine. IL was regarded
SO much as an elegant art that II was
one which was very much cultivated
and treasured.
Women OF social prominence now
find little or no time for even notes.
and relegate this work generally, TO
a secretary, who must understand her
art sufficiently we'll 10 be able 10 90
everything In her line. from the type
written business letter TO dinner an
vitation, composed formally and writ
ten In an elegant long hand.
There Is a peculiar elegance about
being able to write a short, graceful
note, and II Is a gift which few pos
sess: there are ladies. however. who
employ social secretaries. who are suf-
ficicntly gifted In this matter to pre-
fer TO write many OF their own infor-
NAL notes, leaving the formal ones,
which must be expressed according TO
the dictates OF fashionable usage. and
are, therefore. mechanical affairs.
with their business correspondence, TO
the secretary, who, however. must be
fully equipped TO write anything and
at moments notice.
The necessity OF being able 10 write
a graceful note Is apparent. when we
realize that there is scarcely day
In any young girls or woman's life
when one or more OF these notes must
not be written: OF acceptance or re-
gret. coincidence or congratulation.
thanks for either gift or a much de-
sired invitation, for which no set for
mula can be prescribed. and the best
training for this kind of composition
is to note carefully the expressions,
written or verbal, OF those who are
cultivated and up-to-date In such mat
ters
Above all things. eschew most all
printed books and pamphlets on the
art OF letter writing. Be original. be
unique. study good form and refined
taste In literature, generally, for your
letters and notes.
But there are charming women and
girls who have not the epistolary
taste OF their grandmothers. and who
have not the means 10 employ pro-
fessional secretary. and by them few
suggestive hints may be cheerfully re-
ceived.
For the general letter, written 70
relative or dear friend, particular
ly IL the recipient is at distance
and will be pleased to know all about
you. your actions and your interests.
your letter should be written in the
colloquial form: you should write
pretty much as you would talk 10
that person: be chatty, familiar and
natural. There Is nothing more ludi.
crous than for relative or friend to
get up on stills because she Is going
TO talk to you through the mails. and
write to you in far away. foreign
style. quite foreign TO her-how often
do we hear some one say: 81 always
enjoy her letters, because she writes
just as she talks"
The business letter should be brief
and TO the point, for persons engaged
in business have no time for pream-
bles and literary fourishes; say what
you have TO say concisely and so that
II will not fail TO carry the exact
meaning-for instance:
Messrs B., ard B.
My Dear Sirs:-There has been a
mistake made in the goods sent me
on the 9Th inst. VIII you send for
them and have the mistake rectined.
| ordered six pairs OF black Isle
thread hose size No 8. have re-
ceived this order In size No. 10.
Yours truly.
(Miss) T. T. TAPPAN.
Your signature. for business let
ter, II you are an unmarried woman,
should be as above, II married, either
the prefix Mrs" in brackets, or the
name Amelia Trueblood.' with Mrs.
J. ]. Trueblood' In the lower left hand
Ii Inn I...,