long letter, it is best to use letter paper, which in size is four-fifths the length of foolscap.
The common Business Letter should be so brief as generally to require but one page of commercial note, which is somewhat narrower and shorter than letter paper.
Note and billet paper are the smallest sheets made, being suitable for Notes of Invitation, Parents' Excuses for children to teachers, and other written exercises that are very brief.
Etiquette of Letter Writing.
As a rule, every letter, unless insulting in its character, requires an answer. To neglect to answer a letter, when written to, is as uncivil as to neglect to reply when spoken to.
In the reply, acknowledge first the receipt of the letter, mentioning its date, and afterwards consider all the points requiring attention. If the letter is to be very brief, commence sufficiently far from the top of the page to give a nearly equal amount of blank paper at the bottom of the sheet when the letter is ended.
Should the matter in the letter continue beyond the first page, it is well to commence a little above the middle of the sheet, extending as far as necessary on the other pages.
It is thought impolite to use a half sheet of paper in formal letters. As a matter of economy and convenience for business purposes, however, it is customary to have the card of the business man printed at the top of the sheet, and a single leaf is used.
In writing a letter, the answer to which is of more benefit to yourself than the person to whom you write, enclose a postage stamp for the reply.
Letters should be as free from erasures, interlineations, blots and postscripts as possible. It is decidedly better to copy the letter than to have these appear.
A letter of introduction or recommendation, should never be sealed, as the bearer to whom it is given ought to know the contents.
Titles.
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IT IS customary, in the heading of petitions to persons in official positions, in the complimentary address of a letter, and in superscriptions, to give each their proper title. These are divided into titles of respect, military, and professional titles.
Titles of respect are:—Mr., from Master; Mrs., from Mistress; Miss, from the French, De-moi-selle; Esq., from Esquire, an English Justice of the Peace, or member of the legal profession, but applied very indiscriminately to males throughout this country generally.
Two titles of the same class should not be applied to the same name. Thus, in addressing John Smith, do not say Mr. John Smith, Esq.; though we may say Mr.John Smith, or John Smith, Esq.
If the profession of the person addressed be known, the professional title alone should be used. If the person be entitled to two titles the highest is given.
Titles of respect are usually placed before the name; as, Mr., Hon., Rev., Dr., and military titles.
Professional titles sometimes precede and sometimes follow the name; as, Dr. John Smith, or John Smith, M.D.; Prof. John Smith, or John Smith, A.M.
The following list illustrates the various titles used for the different ranks, among individuals, either in the complimentary address or superscription on the envelope.
'To Royalty.
"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty."
"To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty."
"To his Royal Highness, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales."
In like manner all the other members, male and female, of the Royal family are addressed.
To Nobility.
"To his Grace the Duke of Argyle."
"To the Most Noble the Marquis of Westminster."
"To the Right Honorable the Earl of Derby."
"To the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Sidney."
"To the Honorable Baron Cranworth."
The wives of noblemen have the same titles as their husbands; thus,
"To her Grace the Duchess of Argyle."
"To the Most Noble the Marchioness of Westminster."
"To the Right Honorable the Countess of Derby."
"To the Right Honorable the Viscountess Sidney."
"To the Honorable the Baroness Cranworth."
The title of Honorable, in great Britain, is applied to the younger sons of noblemen (the elder son taking, by courtesy, the title next in rank below that of his father). It is also given to members of parliament and to certain persons holding positions of honor and trust.
To Baronets.
"Sir Walter Scott, Bart."
To Knights.
"Sir William Armstrong, Kt.
Ellsworth's "Text-Book on Penmanship" gives the following classification of the various titles used in the United States.
'Titles of Honor, Profession and Respect.
"His Excellency Richard Roe," President of the United States, Governor of any State, or Minister to Foreign Countries.
"Honorable Richard Roe," Vice-President, Senators and Representatives of the U. S., Liuet Col of State, State Senators an Representatives,Judges, Mayors, Consuls, Ministers Abroad, and Heads of Executive Departments of the General Government.
"Rev. Richard Roe, D.D." Doctor of Divinity. Rev" "Richard Roe, LL.D." Doctor of Laws. Rev" "Richard Roe." Minister of the Gospel.
"Dr. Richard Roe." Physician and Surgeon.
"Prof. Richard Roe." Professor or teacher of any art or science.
"Richard Roe, Esq." Member of the legal Fraternity.
"Mr. Richard Roe." Non-professional gentleman.
"Richard Roe" Plain signature. .
Richard hisXmark Roe." Unable to write his own name.