Chapter III: Part 3

On the other side I hand you particulars of Mrs. Soames' account,
for which please send me cheque.

Yours truly,

W. W.
_pro_ P. F. C.

----

_A Gentleman's Servant, applying for a Situation._

Praetland Terrace, March 1st, 187--

"_Valet Wanted._"

SIR,

In reply to an advertisement in yesterday's _Daily Telegraph_,
headed as above, I beg to offer myself for the situation.

For six years and a half I lived with the late General Aslett in
that capacity; on his death the establishment was reduced, and I
received my dismissal.

I enclose a copy of my character from my previous masters, and also
one from the proprietor of the Great Northern Hotel, who has known
me for many years. I am unmarried, 5ft. 10in. in height, and
twenty-eight years of age.

I remain, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

JAMES FIELD.

----

_From a Coachman, requiring a place._

Croydon, October 2nd.

SIR,

Having heard that you are in want of a coachman, I respectfully beg
to offer myself for the situation.

I have lived in my last place with J. G----, Esq., who will, I am
sure give me a good character.

I remain, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

JOHN JAMES.

----

_Reply._

Beech Park, October 4th.

JOHN JAMES,

I have received your application for my coachman's place, and should
be glad to know of how many horses you had the care at Mr. ----'s;
whether you had a groom under you; and if you can drive in London as
well as in the country.

Let me know also if you are a married man, and, if so, whether you
have a family.

ROBERT BRUCE.

----

_Coachman's Reply._

Croydon, October 6th.

SIR,

I had the care of three horses at Mr. ----, and he allowed me
assistance in the stable.

I am a married man and have five children. I have been used to drive
in London during the season. If you should be pleased to engage me,
I shall endeavour to do my best to serve you.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

JOHN JAMES.

----

_Applying for a Situation as a Gardener._

Snowdrop Cottage, June 1st, 187--

SIR,

Understanding that there will be a vacancy shortly in your
establishment for a gardener, I respectfully beg to offer myself for
the place. From boyhood I have been under the best of gardeners. I
served my apprenticeship with, and have been from time to time
improving myself under the direction of one of the most experienced
landscape gardeners employed in the Crystal Palace Gardens. I
enclose you a copy of the opinion formed of my capabilities by those
under whom I placed myself, and assure you my whole time and study
shall be devoted to your service.

I remain,

Yours obediently,

E. GARDNER.

----

_A Gentleman ordering a Set of Harness from a Saddler._

Edisbury Place, February 4th, 187--

SIR,

I send my coachman to consult with you as to the style and quality
of a new set of double harness, which I shall shortly require. My
own idea is that harness cannot be too light looking. I have also a
great objection to a large amount of plating. My coachman will tell
you the size of the horses; and please let me know by him the very
lowest price.

Yours obediently,

JAMES HEATON.

----

_Saddler, in reply._

3, Tanning Road, February 1st, 187--

SIR,

Many thanks for your esteemed communication. From the description
given by your coachman of the double harness required, I think I can
supply you to your satisfaction for the sum of 24_l._, and
everything will be of the best quality. Trusting that you will be
satisfied with the quality and character of the goods,

I remain,

Sir,

Your humble obedient servant,

JOSEPH TANNER.

----

_Gentleman in reply, objecting to Price._

Edisbury Place, February, 187--

SIR,

On my return I was much surprised to find that your prices were so
very much above the sum I proposed to expend for a set of double
harness: however, I will consider the matter. A friend of mine who
lately ordered a set of harness much the same as that which my
coachman described to you, assures me that the charge for it was
between 5_l._ and 6_l._ less. I will see you on the subject on my
return from Rome.

Yours obediently,

JAMES HEATON.

Mr. ----

----

_Saddler, in reply._

3, Tanning Road, February 1st, 187--

SIR,

As I am sorry at any time to lose custom, I take the liberty of
requesting you to defer your decision until your return, and if you
will then favour me with a call I think I can show you sets of
harness at a price that you will find moderate. I enclose you a
letter which I have received from a coachman, from which you will be
able to judge for yourself of the pressure put upon us by servants.

I remain,

Sir,

Yours respectfully,

JOSEPH TANNER.

James Heaton, Esq.

----

_Requesting the Renewal of a Bill._

Tipnor, February 4th, 187--

DEAR SIRS,

Having had great difficulty in collecting my accounts during the
last half year (although I have strict assurances that they will
all, or nearly all, be settled by the end of this month), I find I
am unable to meet in full my acceptance to you for 150_l._ 14_s._
2_d._ Would you oblige me by holding it to the end of this month? I
shall then be prepared to meet the same. An early reply will oblige,

Yours truly,

Messrs. Farren, Johnson, and Styles.

COMMERCIAL FORMS.

_Form of Cheque to "Bearer."_

London, Dec. 8th, 18--

To the London Joint-Stock Bank, Chancery Lane Branch.

Pay to ---- or bearer, One Hundred pounds.

L100. T. ROBINSON.

----

_Form of Cheque to "Order."_

London, Dec. 8th, 18--

To the London Joint-Stock Bank, Chancery Lane Branch.

Pay to ---- or order, One Hundred pounds.

L100. T. ROBINSON.

This form will require, previous to payment, the endorsement of the
party to whom it is made payable.

----

_Form of an Ordinary Bill of Exchange._

London, May 1st, 18--

L100.

Three Months after date, pay to me or my order One Hundred pounds.
Value received.

T. ROBINSON.

To Mr. Henry Jones, Liverpool.

To make this a negotiable document, it has to be accepted by being
signed across the face by the party on whom it is drawn, and
endorsed on the back by the drawer.

This admits of the following change, according to circumstances:
instead of "three months after date," it may be "at sight," or at
such a time "after sight," or at such a specified time, or "on
demand;" and the instruction to pay may be "to A. B. or order."

----

_Form of a Promissory Note._

L100. London, July 1st, 18--

Three Months after date, I promise to pay to Mr. Henry Jones, or
order, One Hundred pounds, for value received.

T. ROBINSON.

Payable at The London Joint-Stock Bank, Chancery Lane Branch.

To make this a negotiable document, it has to be endorsed by being
signed across the back by the party to whom it is made payable.

----

_Form of a Foreign Bill of Exchange._

L100. Paris, June 1st, 18--

Sixty days after sight of this First of Exchange (Second and Third
unpaid) pay to the order of Messrs. Jones and Robinson, One Hundred
pounds sterling, value received; and charge to account, with or
without advice of

WILLIAM SMITH.

To Mr. Thomas Kelley, Manchester. Payable in London.

The naming of the payee admits of the same variations as are
exhibited in an ordinary Bill of Exchange. The time of payment may
be, in like manner, variously expressed. The term "usance" is
sometimes employed to express the period of running in foreign
bills. It means a certain time fixed by custom as between any two
places, and the period covered by a usance will therefore depend on
the places of drawing and payment.

----

_Form of Ordinary Receipt._

London, May 2nd, 18--

Received of Mr. John Frost, Twenty-nine pounds twelve shillings and
sixpence.

L29 12_s._ 6_d._ C. CUTHBERT.

N.B.--All receipts for sums of Two pounds and upwards require to
have a receipt stamp affixed to them, which stamp should be
cancelled by being written across. The penalty for evading this law
is 50_l._

----

_Form of Receipt for Rent._

London, August 18th, 18--

Received of A. Wigram, Esq., Fifteen pounds, being one quarter's
rent due on Midsummer Day last, for the premises occupied by him at
No. 14, South Rupert Street, W.C.

L15 0_s._ 0_d._ T. PHILLIPS.

----

_Form of Agreement for Taking a House._

Memorandum of an undertaking entered into this ---- day of ----,
18--, between A. B. of ----, and C. D. of ----, as follows:--

The said A. B. doth hereby let unto the said C. D. a dwelling-house,
situate in the parish of ----, for the term of one year certain, and
so on from year to year, and so on until half a year's notice to
quit be given by or to either party, at the yearly rent of L----,
payable quarterly; the tenancy to commence at ---- day next.

And the said A. B. doth undertake to pay the land-tax, the
property-tax, and the sewer-rate, and to keep the said house in all
necessary repairs, so long as the said C. D. shall continue therein.
And the said C. D. doth undertake to take the said house of A. B.
for and at the before-mentioned term and rent, and pay all taxes
except those on land or property and the sewer-rate, and to abide by
the other conditions aforesaid.

Witness our hands the day and year aforesaid.

A. B. Witness E. F. C. D.

[N.B.--Premises are sometimes let for a term of years, or upon other
conditions different from those specified above; in such cases the
agreement must, of course, be worded conformably.]

----

_Form of Notice to Quit, from a Tenant to Landlord._

SIR,

I hereby give you notice that on or before the ---- day of ----next,
I shall quit and deliver up possession of the house and premises I
now hold of you, situate at ----, in the parish of ----, in the
county of ----.

Dated this ---- day of ----, 18--.

Witness, K. I. G. H.

To Mr. L. M.

----

_Form of Notice to Quit, from Landlord to Tenant._

SIR,

I hereby give you notice to quit the house and appurtenances,
situate at No. ----, which you now hold of me, on or before
---- next.

Dated ----, 18--.

Signed N. O. (Landlord).

To Mr. P. Q.

----

_Form of Will._

THIS is the last Will and Testament of A. B., of No. ---- Street,
----. I hereby give and devise to my wife, Jane B., her heirs,
executors, and administrators, for her and their own use and
benefit, absolutely and for ever, all my estate and effects, both
real and personal, whatsoever and wheresoever, and of what nature
and quality soever, and I hereby appoint her, the said Jane B., sole
executrix of this my Will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand this ----day of ----, one thousand eight hundred and ----.

A. B.

Signed by the said A. B., in the presence of us, present at the same
time, who in his presence and in the presence of each other, attest
and subscribe our names as witnesses hereto.

[N.B.--The above is a simple form of Will. They can, of course, be
made in various ways, but in every case care should be taken that
the persons mentioned in the Will should be fully and properly
designated, and that the testator's intentions be stated in language
as clear and precise as possible.]

----

_Form of Bill of Sale._

KNOW all men by these presents, that I, A. B., of ----, for and in
consideration of the sum of ----, in hand, paid, at and before the
sealing and delivery hereof, by C. D., of ----, the receipt whereof
I do hereby acknowledge, have bargained and sold, and by these
presents do bargain and sell unto the said C. D., all the goods,
household stuff, and implements of household, and all other goods
whatsoever mentioned in the schedule hereunto annexed, now remaining
and being in ----. To have and to hold all and singular the goods,
household stuff, and implements of household, and every of them by
these presents, bargained and sold unto the said C. D., his
executors, administrators, and assigns for ever, and I, the said A.
B., for myself, my executors, and administrators, all and singular,
of the said goods, unto the said C. D., his executors and
administrators and assigns, and against all and every other person
and persons whatsoever, shall and will warrant and for ever defend
by these presents, of which goods I, the said A. B., have put the
said C. D., in possession, by delivering him one silver candelabrum,
&c., on the sealing hereof; in witness whereof I have hereunto put
my hand and seal this ---- day of ----, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and ----

A. B.

Signed, sealed, and delivered, } C. D.
in the presence of us, } E. F.

DIRECTIONS FOR ADDRESSING PERSONS OF RANK, &c.

_1. In Letters or Conversation._
_2. The Directions of Letters._

THE ROYAL FAMILY.

The QUEEN--

1. Madam; Most Gracious Sovereign; May it please your Majesty.

2. To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty.

The Sons and Daughters, Brothers and Sisters of Sovereigns--

1. Sir, or Madam, May it please your Royal Highness.

2. To His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

To Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge.

OTHER BRANCHES OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.

1. Sir, or Madam, May it please your Highness.

2. To His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge; or, To Her Royal
Highness the Princess Mary of Teck.

THE NOBILITY.

A Duke, or Duchess--

1. My Lord Duke, or Madam, May it please your Grace.

2. To His Grace the Duke of Bedford; or, To Her Grace the Duchess of
Bedford.

A Marquis, or Marchioness--

1. My Lord, or Madam, May it please your Lordship, or, May it please
your Ladyship.

2. To the Most Noble the Marquis, or Marchioness, of Westminster.

An Earl or Countess--the same.

To the Right Honourable the Earl, or Countess, of Shrewsbury.

A Viscount or Viscountess--

1. My Lord, or Madam, May it please your Lordship, or, May it please
your Ladyship.

2. To the Right Honourable Viscount, or Viscountess, Lifford.

A Baron or Baroness--the same.

To the Right Honourable, the Lord Wensleydale, or The Lady St. John.

The widow of a Nobleman is addressed in the same style, with the
introduction of the word Dowager in the Superscription of her
letters.

To the Right Hon. the Dowager Countess of Chesterfield.

The Sons of Dukes and Marquises, and the eldest Sons of Earls, have,
by courtesy, the titles of Lord and Right Honourable; and all the
Daughters have those of a Lady and Right Honourable.

The younger Sons of Earls, and the Sons and Daughters of Viscounts
and Barons, are styled Honourable.

OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE STATE.

A Member of Her Majesty's Most Hon. Privy Council--

1. Sir, or My Lord, Right Honourable Sir, or My Lord, as the case
may require.

2. To the Right Honourable ----,[1] Her Majesty's Principal
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

[1] Here write the name, and specify the title or rank of the person
addressed, as "The Right Honourable the Earl of Winchelsea."

AMBASSADORS AND GOVERNORS UNDER HER MAJESTY.

1. Sir, or My Lord, as the case may be; May it please your
Excellency.

2. To his Excellency the French (or other) Ambassador.

3. To his Excellency ----,[2] Lieutenant General, and General
Governor of that part of the United Kingdom called Ireland.

[2] Here write the name, and specify the title or rank of the person
addressed, as "The Right Honourable the Earl of Winchelsea."

JUDGES.

1. My Lord, May it please your Lordship.

2. To the Right Honourable ----, Lord Chief Justice of England.

The Lord Mayor of London, York, or Dublin, and the Lord Provost of
Edinburgh, during office--the same.

1. My Lord, May it please your Lordship.

2. To the Right Honourable ----, Lord Mayor of London. To the Right
Honourable ----, Lord Provost of Edinburgh.

The Lord Provost of every other town in Scotland is styled
Honourable.

The Mayors of all Corporations (excepting the preceding Lord
Mayors), and the Sheriffs, Aldermen, and the Recorder of London, are
addressed Right Worshipful; and the Aldermen and Recorders of other
Corporations, and the Justices of the Peace, Worshipful.

THE PARLIAMENT.

House of Peers--

1. My Lords, May it please your Lordships.

2. To the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in
Parliament assembled.

House of Commons--

1. May it please your Honourable House.

2. To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland.

The Speaker of the House of Commons--

1. Sir, or Mr. Speaker.

2. To the Right Honourable ----, the Speaker of the House of
Commons.

A Member of the House of Commons not ennobled--

1. Sir.

2. To Thomas Hughes, Esq., M.P.

THE CLERGY.

An Archbishop--

1. My Lord, May it please your Grace.

2. To his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury; or, To the Most
Reverend Father in God, ----,[3] Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.

[3] Here write the Christian but not the surname.

A Bishop--

1. My Lord, May it please your Lordship.

2. The Right Reverend the Bishop of London.

3. To the Right Reverend Father in God, ----,[4] Lord Bishop of
Peterboro'.

[4] Here write the Christian but not the surname.

A Dean--

1. Reverend Sir.

2. To the Very Reverend Dr. ----, Dean of Westminster.

An Archdeacon--

The Venerable the Archdeacon of ----.

Chancellors are addressed in the same manner.

The rest of the Clergy--

1. Sir,--Reverend Sir.

2. To the Rev. Dr Campbell.

To the Rev. J. Jones; or, to the Rev. Mr. Wilson, &c.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Gentleman's Model Letter-writer, by Anonymous