The man or woman who can talk well, can write well. Those thoughts that enable one to shine in conversation can be transferred to paper and win for the writer the same amount of admiration. There is only this difference--that words, as they fall from the lips, have an airy grace of their own, aided by the tone of voice, and play of feature, which written down in set phrases, is lacking. Any person can write a social, friendly letter. Indeed, the chief charm of such epistles is, that they consist of airy nothings, which are not brought under any set rules. But letters to strangers and letters of business must partake of a more formal character; as also letters of regret and those written to congratulate a friend. For these certain forms are required to be observed.

     Never use fancy coloured inks. Though once fashionable, they are no longer deemed elegant. A clear black ink is the accepted standard. Purchase an ink that flows freely, without sinking into the paper, and will not gum up the pen. A rusty brown black is very offensive to the eye. So is a blue, and yet that colour was very much affected by young people at one time.

     The style and size and shape of paper changes continually. These matters are always within the province of the stationers who supply them, and who always keep the "latest." But the quality never varies. A fine, firm white paper is always in demand. If you have a preference for tints, they should be of the most delicate cream, or grey, so faint as scarcely to be observable. Learn to write on unruled paper. It is very easy to do so. Ruled paper is only suitable for business correspondence, and is seldom used even then. If you find it too difficult to write without lines, a sheet of heavily ruled paper placed underneath will serve you as a guide.
     Never answer a letter a gentleman sends you, if done on a typewriter, unless it is a strictly business letter.
     A paper with your monogram is allowable, and in England, where they do many things sensibly, it is the custom to have one's address printed at the head of the sheet.
     This stands in lieu of writing it in the body of the letter, an omission which many are guilty of. Envelopes are square, and should exactly fit the paper, so that it need not be doubled but once. Ladies may use delicately perfumed paper, but gentlemen should not. Black-edged paper is in vogue with those who are in mourning. Some people do not use it, however. In writing a letter of condolence to one who has lost a friend you should not adopt a mourning paper, but use the stationery you have. It is rude to write a friend or stranger on a half-sheet of paper, or on a torn sheet. In business houses the half-sheet is always used, but it is printed with a letter head for that special purpose. Crossing your page is positively an insult. Some ladies write across the proper way, then turn and recross, until it would need the patience of the famous Job to decipher them. The writer remembers, when a girl, of receiving such a letter from a very dear cousin. It was crossed and criss-crossed in every conceivable direction, and in so fine a hand that it rivalled the intricacies of a spider's web. It is needless to say, that to this day the contents of that letter are unknown to the recipient. It awoke the same feelings as expressed by a hero of a novel, who says--in speaking of a similar affliction--"Give me any other torture than this, to read a woman's plaid letter." Paper that is thin or full of specks is untidy and cheap looking. So are blots, erasures and interlining. Long letters are only welcome to friends who take deep interest in us, and even then "Brevity is the soul of wit," for few have the rare gift of writing lengthy epistles that will not weary.

     An English Paper says: When you write to Queen Victoria the paper which you use must be thick and white, and the letter must be put into an envelope large enough to contain it without folding. A letter which has been folded never reaches the queen, and the chances are that she never hears of its existence. Such letters are dealt with by the mistress of the robes, who, if she considers them of sufficient importance to be handed to her majesty, returns them to their senders, with directions as to how the letter should be sent to the sovereign.
     The square envelope seems to have driven all other shapes from the field of public favour. And we think there is no other shape so useful and so sensible.

     If a young girl receives a request to correspond with a man she should pay no attention to it. If he persists, she probably has a father or some big brother who will attend to him. We believe that there is too much of this promiscuous letter-writing done, for which there is no reason. We hate to say it, but men are careless, and often lay things round in such a thoughtless manner that a letter might be seen, which would lead to inquiry and perhaps jesting at her expense.
     Young girls often thoughtlessly begin a correspondence with strangers. A romantic girl whose training has been neglected might begin this dangerous amusement, but it had best be discontinued at once. The young man who writes thus to a young girl is usually lacking in lady friends, and she must be wanting in self-respect to permit such a breach of propriety. He is sure to show her letters, and boast of his conquest, and perhaps even attack her good name.

     Business people, to save time, date their letters--"2-4-'91"-- meaning fourth day, second month of 1891. It is impolite in friendly correspondence. Addresses should be given in figures, as "No. 21 Carpenter St.;" the day of the month also, as "September 3." Numerals are not proper in letters. Were you to speak of the century, it would be "the nineteenth century." The age should be spelled out, as "He is sixty to-day." The titles of persons preceding their name should be abbreviated--"Hon. Reverend Johnson," "Rev. Dr. Bacon." States are abbreviated when the town precedes them, as "Boston, Mass.;" "Viz." for videlicit, meaning "namely," or "to wit;" "i.e." for id est (it is;) "e.g." for exempli gratia ("for example;") "ult" for ultimo--last month; "prox." for proximo--next month; "inst." for instant--the present month; "etc." for et cætera, "and the rest," or "and so on;" "v." or "vs." for versus; "vol."--volume; "chap."--chapter; "A.M.," "M.," and "P.M." for forenoon, noon, and afternoon. Figures are used in denoting sums of money, or large quantities--as "$200,000;" "175,000 barrels;" per cent., "30 per cent.;" degrees of latitude, longitude or temperature, unless the degree sign is used, are spelled out; also fractions, in correspondence, as "three-fourths," "seven-eighths."

     Directions cannot be given for the matter of which a letter should consist. That depends wholly upon the writer. The form of commencing a letter, "Dear Friend, I take my pen in hand to let you know I am well," has long ago become stereotyped and tiresome. It also argues egotism on the part of the writer. Would you have your correspondent imagine that your sole motive of writing is to inform her of the state of your health? An unnecessary piece of information, also, is to state that you take your pen in hand. Of course she will suppose that you have done so by the result. Be original in that, as in all things else. Write as you would talk were your correspondent present. Try and think over what you intend writing, and say it in the most natural way you can. This is the highest art--to so everything in so artistic and finished a manner, that it will have the appearance of being second nature.

     It is estimated that four million letters find their way to the dead letter office annually, because they are improperly addressed. This is a matter for serious consideration. It is best to give the county on the address as well as the town, save for large cities that are well known. There are so many names common to towns that unless this precaution is taken, the letter is often missent. We present a few forms of address:

                                      Mr. Henry C. Martin,
                                                    27 Lafayette St.,
                                                             Salem, Mass.

                                      Mrs. Lydia A. Farnum,
                                                    44 Easton Ave.,
                                                             Marysville, O.
     Union Co.

     Address the Governor of a State, thus:

                                      His Excellency,
                                                    Gov. Theodore Roosevelt,
                                                             Albany, N.Y.

     A personal letter to our Chief Executive is addressed thus:

                                      To the President,
                                                    Executive Mansion,
                                                             Washington, D.C.

     A gentleman who bears an honorary title will receive his mail, if directed:

                                      Rev. A. C. Hill, D. D., LL. D.,
                                                    Chancellor of University,
                                                             Troy, N.Y.

     A letter to any member of the President's cabinet should bear the following:

                                      Hon. T. W. Talbot,
                                        Secretary of the Navy, (Army, Treasury, etc.)
                                                             Washington, D.C.

     A letter of introduction is always left unsealed and the envelope addressed thus:

                                      Col. Robert O. Ellis,
                                                    Xenia, O.
     Introducing Mr. Fred Osmun.

     Business letters are universally printed now with a line or two like the following, on the upper left-hand corner:
                                                                                      STAMP.
     If not called for in 10 days,
             return to
          Adams & Co.,
     48 La Salle St., Chicago.

                                      MR. WILLIAM HILTON,
                                                    Mishawaka,
                                                             Ind.

     A note intrusted to the care of another to be delivered personally, is addressed thus:

                                      Miss Mabel Evans,
                                                             City.
     Kindness of Mr. Warren Hastings.

     Phrases from the French are so frequently met with in notes an invitations, that we append those most commonly used:

     It is charged against ladies that they will add postscripts. This is not alone a fault of the fair sex. We have seen a long, rambling letter written by one of the sterner sex which contained the pith of the whole matter in the postscript. It is in bad taste in either sex. Underscoring is still more to be depreciated. It is well called "the refuge of the feebly forcible." Where it is indulged in too lavishly it weakens the point of what the writer aims to say, and means nothing. The occasional use of an italic word sometimes conveys an idea a little more directly, but the habit of underscoring is best never practised.

     Do not attempt a letter unless you have something to say.
     Do not commence a letter in the third person and sign it in the first. A letter of this character needs no signature.
     Never write an anonymous letter. It is cowardly. The recipient of such a letter should quietly burn it. The man or woman who dares not sign his or her name is unworthy of notice.
     Do not write a letter while in anger. You will surely say too much, which you will regret. Written words stand as living witness against you, and cannot be recalled.
     Address your superiors with respect. Do not write flippantly to any one. Even with friends you should maintain a certain reserve.
     Do not commit a secret to paper. You can never tell what use may be made of it, or into whose hands it may fall.
     In writing to another, making an inquiry, or on any business of your own, inclose a stamp for reply. See that any letter you write is fully prepaid. It is humiliating to one's pride to learn that another was compelled to make up his deficiency.

     Commence a business letter near the top; a social letter should be begun about one-third the way down.
     Here are several forms:
                                      Chicago, Ill., Jan. 27, 1900.

     Or the county may be added:
                                      Chicago, Cook Co., Ill., Jan. 27, 1900.

     The full address is added sometimes:
                                      384 W. Congress St.,
                                                  Chicago, Ill.,
                                                       Jan. 27, 1900.

     When writing from a college, or a hotel, those places may be affixed also. A more ceremonious style is to place the date at the close of the letter, as:
                                      Yours sincerely,
                                                  LOUISA COLE.
     Cincinnati, O., May 19, 1900.

     The name of the person to whom the letter is addressed is placed on the next line below the heading, and if writing to a stranger or a business man this is the fashion:

MR. HORATIO WINTERS,
     25 Genesee St.,
          Batavia, N. Y.
               Dear Sir:--Having received your communication of, etc.

     In writing to familiar friends, the salutation begins the letter, and their full name and address are written at the lower left-hand corner of the last page. Many titles are sanctioned by usage. A minister is addressed as Rev. Jerome Wellington, without any additional title. He may be saluted as Reverend Dir, or Dear Sir. A doctor of medicine is C. B. Wallace, M. D., or Dr. C. B. Wallace. A lawyer is the only person entitled to the "Esq.," although many foolishly imagine that they are adding dignity to a plain citizen by addressing him as "Esq.) Nothing is more absurd or uncalled for.

     Business men can be addressed as "Gentlemen," or "Sirs," others are "Dear Sir," or "Sir," or"Hon. John Brown--Dear Sir." Any of these are sanctioned by usage. To a married lady one should address himself as "My Dear Madam," or omit the "My." "My Dear Mrs. Hatch." Friends who have known each other for years will naturally adopt more familiar salutations, which are decided by themselves on the strength of their acquaintance and good sense.. So, also, members of a family, schoolmates, college chums and lovers are not expected to be bound by any particular formulas, but should avoid any silly and effusive terms of endearment.
     An unmarried lady may be addressed as "Dear Miss Felton," or among friends, as "Dear Marian." It is a pity that our language does not afford us a designation for an unmarried lady similar to the French word "Mademoiselle."

     To prevent confusion a lady should sign herself by her title, as "Mrs. Jennie Smith," or "Miss Flora Harlow," when writing to strangers or answering business correspondence. Never sign initials alone, as "F. Smith." That would lead most people to believe that the writer was a gentleman.

     Many ladies do not know exactly how a receipt should be made out. We give two as the correct forms:

                                                  New Haven, Ct., May 1, 1899.
$25.
     Received from Henry Harvey twenty-five dollars to apply on account.
                                                  GREEN, STEPHENSON & CO.

                                                  Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 4, 1898.
$50.
     Received from Charles Bliss fifty dollars in full of all demands to date.
                                                  ZEIGLER, WATERS & CO.

     There are printed forms for bank checks, drafts, notes, etc., which can be obtained at any stationer's, which renders it superfluous to give them here.

     A reply should promptly follow the receipt of a letter; it cannot be civilly delayed for any great length of time. It is customary to begin a reply by alluding to the date of the letter to which the answer is given.
     One of the following forms is generally adopted:

     "I hasten to answer the letter which you did me the honour of writing on the------."

     "I have received the letter with which you favoured me on the------."

     "I have not been able, until this moment, to answer the letter which you did me the honour of writing on the------."

     "I will not burden my letter with useless apologies, but confess frankly that I have been a little dilatory in replying to your kind favour of ------ and hope you will pardon me."

     This is a matter which also depends upon the nearness of friendship or familiarity. Either of these forms are made use of---"Yours sincerely," "Ever yours," "Truly yours," "Yours respectfully," "Cordially yours," "Very respectfully,"
                                                   "I have the honour to be
                                                          "Your obedient servant,
                                                                 "DAVID ROBB."

     The proper form will naturally suggest itself.

     Many people confuse the first and third persons. The use of the third person is confined to notes of invitation, and those who cling to old customs, or desire to be very formal. But if the third person is made use of, adhere to it. Don't write--"Miss Laura Lake regrets that she cannot accept Mrs. Hunt's kind invitation. I am away from the city." Or, "Mrs. Collins will call at Mr. Peck's store on Saturday to look at some rings."
                                                       "Very truly yours,
                                                              "HARRIET COLLINS."

     Such a note requires no signature at all. These are errors that the best informed people are apt to make, but must be guarded against.

     It is almost considered an insult by some people to receive a postal card. They are very useful for business purposes, or for sending orders by mail, but for social correspondence are highly improper. It is not good manners to send personal notes that are open to inspection.

     The use of sealing wax is again coming into favour. "Fastidious people prefer wax, but it is much better to use the regular gummed envelope than to make a great slovenly blotch on an envelope. Every lady should learn how to seal a letter neatly. A good impression may be obtained by covering the face of the seal with linseed oil, dusting it with rouge, and then pressing it firmly and rapidly on the soft wax. Either red or black wax is proper, but wafers should never be used."

     No matter whom you are writing to, no degree of intimacy excuses a slovenly, blotted letter, which is half full of erasures. Attention to neatness and legibility is of the greatest importance. Write a plain hand, free from flourishes. An ornamental hand will do for a copy-book or writing-master, but few of your correspondents will care for gymnastics in your handwriting. Errors in grammar and spelling expose the writer to sharp criticism.
     Married women are addressed by the names of their husbands. The use of the first or baptismal name signifies that the lady is single or else a widow. No letter should be sealed up until it has been read over, and any error or doubtful statement corrected.

     Abbreviations of titles, states, offices, etc., are correct; but to abbreviate common, everyday words, as some do, such as "dr." for "dear," "ans." for "answer," "&" for "and," is in bad taste. They call it "phonetic"--it should rather be dubbed foolish, if not rude. Figures are out of their place when used in a sentence to shorten it, as, "He called at 4 houses," for called at "four houses."
     It is well to keep the letter you are replying to for reference, until you have answered all the points it contains. Then destroy it, making, of course, an exception now and then, in favour of some particular letter, whose writer is very dear. File business letters, or those involving some matter of importance in a business or financial way. Private correspondence is apt to grow burdensome if permitted to accumulate, and we think many a prominent man or woman whose private letters have been published after death, would, had they a voice in the matter, protest vigorously against such an uncovering of their personal affairs.
     A gentleman must not sign himself "Mr. Fred Gregory," but "Fred Gregory," or "F. T. Gregory."
     Avoid repetition of the same word, in the same sentence, as "I will not speak unless Tom speaks. But if he speaks first, I may speak, too."
     Do not write "Mrs. Rev. Homer Thomas," or "Mrs. Dr. Henry M. Jones," but "Rev. and Mrs. Homer Thomas," or "Dr. and Mrs. Henry M. Jones."
     Avoid lengthy letters, save to members of your own family circle.
     Do not trust secrets to letters, under any circumstances. And do not grumble in a letter or in speech about your surroundings.

     In a book devoted to the best usages prevalent in society we cannot give a "model letter-writer," and therefore must content ourselves with the hints we have given. But a few words on what is required in the composition of a letter are not amiss: "Purity, propriety and precision, chiefly in regard to words and phrases; and perspicuity, unity and strength in regard to sentences. He who writes with purity avoids all phraseology that is foreign, uncouth, or ill-derived; he who writes with propriety selects the most appropriate, the very best expressions, and generally displays sound judgement and good taste; he who writes with precision is careful to state exactly what he means, all that he means, all that is necessary, and nothing more.