The Detroit times., 1908-07-25

IINI was the following: TN
Begin without knowing
] what you are going 10 say.
and leave of without knowing what
YOU have said"
This is very excellent advice. IN
doubtedly, 10 him or her possessed OF
the divine afflatus. struggling TO ex-
press itself, In terms of matter. TO
willing ear and 4 lenient eye, ready TO
drink In 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 a fine
art, requires that the successful social
secretary be absolutely perfected In
all the nice shades OF expression.
Our grandmothers and great grand
mothers, II they were women OF a
cultivated literary taste, prided them
selves very much upon their ability
as scribes. and many OF their lengthy
epistles, which no women OF today
could find time 10 write, no matter
what her taste might be, unless she
made a profession OF literature. have
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-
ical sketches: in fine. IL was regarded
so much az 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, 10
a secretary, who must understand her
art stuff ciently well TO be able to do
everything in her line, from the type
written business letter to dinner IN
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, ana II 10 a gift which few pos
sess: there are ladies. however. who
employ social secretaries, who are suf-
ficicntiy 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 a moments notice.
The necessity OF being able to write
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-
greet coincidence or cOngratulati0n
thanks for either q gift or a much de
| a., Ia, 90 en whinl, M for
mula can be prescribed, and the besl
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 al
printed books and pamphlets on thu
: art OF letter writing. Be original. be
unikque, study good form and refined
taste In literature, generally, for YOU
; letters and notes.
1 but there are charming women ant
girls who have not the epistolar.
taste OF their grandmothers. and wht
have not the means to employ pro
fessional secretary, and by them few
suggestive hints may be cheerfully re
ceived.
For the general letter, written &c
relative or dear friend, particular
~ II the recipient is at a distance
and will be pleased to know all about
yon. your actions and your interests
your letter should be written In thu
colloquial form; you should write
pretty much as you would talk tt
that person; be chatty. familiar ant
natural. There Is nothing more ludi
crous than for a relative or friend tC
get up on stills because she Is goint
to talk to you through the mails. and
write to you In far away. foreign
style, quite foreign TO her-how Otter
do we hear some one say: II always
enjoy her letters, because she writes
just as she talks"
The business letter should be brie
and TO the point, for persons engaged
in business have no time for pream
bles and literary fourishes say wha
you have to say concisely and 80 tina
It will not fail to carry the exac
meaning--for instance:
Messrs. B., and B..
NV Dear Sirs:-There has been q
mistake made in the goods sent m'
on the 9Th inst. Will you send fol
them and have the mistake rectined.
ordered six pairs Of black lisit
thread hose, size No. 8. have re
ceived this order in size No. 10
Yours truly.
Miss T. T. TAPPAN,
Your signature, for "A business let
ter. IL you are an unmarried woman
should be as above. II married. eitheI
the prefix Mrs" in brackets, or the
name Amelia Trueblood." with Mrs
J. j. Trueblood" in the lower left hant
corner. Business communication
should be written with formality anC
personal reticence.
There Is something OF which every
one Is not aware. or else they have
dropped into more common usage, that
MY Dear" Ia more formal thar
Dear" the pronoun introduces th'
element OF formality and not that o
personal possession.
Yours truly" very truly" o.
yours very truly are business sig
natures.
sincerely yours" implies persona
! acquaintance-it Is dignified and re
fined
Cordially yours a more intimate
degree OF friendship very truly you
friend even more so: yours with re
gard" implies what il states. and 81
on up through "afYectionately yours.
and so forth. all OF which are dictated
as the composition OF the letter ant
the choice OF stationery. by the degre'
OF education and refinement. for
.