Chapter III: Part 3

«Different», should never be followed by the word _than_. Say, _Different from_

«Directly», should not be used for _as soon as_: e.g., _Directly_ [as soon as] _he arrived_

«Discover», is to find something which previously existed; _invent_ is to produce something for the first time

«Don’t», is a contraction of _do not_. One may say, _I don’t_, but not _He don’t_. Say, _He doesn’t_

«Each other», should not be misused for _one another_. One may say, _The two cousins were devoted to each other_; or _Many suggestions were made, following one another in rapid succession_

«Effect», see «Affect»

«Egoists», are those who made the _ego_ the basis of their philosophy; _egotists_ are those who worship themselves

«Either», should not be used to designate more than two persons or things. To designate one of three or more, say _Any one_

«Enormity», describes deeds of unusual horror; _enormousness_ describes things of unusual size

«Enthuse» (verb), is not recognized by good usage. _I became enthused_ should be written _I became enthusiastic_

«Every place», should be written _everywhere_

«Excellent», should never be qualified as it is a superlative: e.g., _most excellent_, _very excellent_, and the like are impossible. (See also «Superlatives»)

«Except» (verb), signifies “to exclude”: e.g., _Present company excepted_. As a preposition it means “with the exception.” It should not be confused with _accept_, which signifies “to receive” {105}

«Exceptional», describes a case outside the operation of a rule; _exceptionable_ is that which is open to criticism: e.g., _Exceptionable_ conduct is that to which _exception_ can be taken

«Expect», should not be used as a synonym for _think_ or _suppose_

«Falseness» (of a person) is the opposite of _truthfulness_; _falsity_ (of a thing) is the opposite of _truth_

«Fix», should not be used in the sense of _repair_. It means “to attach”

«Former», should not be used to designate one of more than two persons or things. If reference is made to one of three or more, say _The first_

«Gentleman», should be used to designate only a person of refinement, and never as a mere designation of sex. The use of the word _man_ is never out of place

«Gentleman friend», is an expression which should be avoided, owing to the use which has been made of it. Say _man friend_ or _man friends_, or _gentleman of my acquaintance_

«Go», should not be confused with _come_: e.g., _I will come_ [go] _to you when you need me_

«Got», is said to be the most misused word in the language. _I have got to go_ should be _I am obliged to go_. _Have you got time?_ should be _Have you time?_ etc. The verb means “to secure,” so it must be used only with this meaning: e.g., _I have got the contract_

«Gotten», is an obsolete form. Say _got_

«Guess», is loosely used for _suppose_, _expect_, or _intend_, but is avoided by the best writers

«Hanged», see «Hung»

«Hardly», should never be preceded by the negative: e.g., _That is not hardly enough_. Omit _not_

«He», see «Him»

«Healthful», means “health-giving,” as applied to articles of food; _healthy_ is the condition of the person {106}

«Her», is often misused for _she_: e.g., _It is her_ [she]; _Such a woman as her_ [she]

«Him», is often misused for _he_: e.g., _It is him_ [he]; _Let He_ [Him] _who made thee answer that_; _A style that belongs to no other than he_ [him]

«Hoi polloi», should not be written _the hoi polloi_. _Hoi_ is Greek for “the”

«Honorable», should always be preceded by _the_: e.g., _The Honorable James Brown Smith_

«How», should not be used for _what_: e.g., _How_ [what] _did you say_?

«Hung», should be distinguished from _hanged_: e.g., _The man was hanged_, but _The flag was hung across the street_

«I», see «Me»

«If», should never be used in the sense of _whether_ or _that_: e.g., _He is not sure if he remembers_ should be _He is not sure whether_ [or _that_] _he remembers_

«In», should not be used for _into_, when motion is implied: e.g., _He stepped in_ [into] _the boat_. See also «At»

INFINITIVE: the verb should never be separated from _to_, the sign of the infinitive word, by an adverb: e.g., _It is not possible for me to absolutely promise_ should be _to promise absolutely_

-ING: when using verbal nouns ending in _-ing_ be careful to distinguish them from participles having the same ending. A verbal noun must never be preceded by an adverb: e.g., _That proved of as little use as his afterward trying to explain his presence there_ should be _as his trying afterward to explain_

«Inside of», is a vulgarism when used in the sense of _within_: e.g., _The snow will be gone inside of_ [within] _a week_

«Invent», see «Discover»

«Kind», is singular. The common expression _those kind_ is absolutely wrong. Say _this kind_ or _these kinds_, _that kind_ or _those kinds_

«Kind of», should not be followed by the article _a_ or _an_. Say _What kind of man is he?_ not _What kind of a man is he?_ {107}

«Lady», see «Gentleman»

«Lady friend», see «Gentleman friend»

«Last», should not be used for _latest_. “Have you read my last book?” asked the author. “I hope so,” was the frank reply

«Latter», signifies one of two persons or things. In making reference to one of three or more, say _The last_

«Lay», should not be confused with _lie_. Hens _lay_, men _lie_

«Less», is a vulgarism when used for _fewer_: e.g., _There were less_ [fewer] _accidents in football this season_

«Liable», should not be used for _likely_: e.g., _It is liable_ [likely] _to rain today_. Its proper sense is shown in the sentence, _He is liable to arrest_

«Like», is a vulgarism when used for _as_ or _as if_: e.g., _I wish I could sing like_ [as] _you do_. See also «Love»

«Likely», means “any probability”; _liable_ means an “unpleasant probability”

«Loan», is not in accord with good usage when used as a verb: Say, _He lent me a dollar_, and _The loan was of real assistance_

«Locate», is a vulgarism when used for _settle_. Say, _He settled in Boston_, and _He located his business in Cambridge_

«Love», describes that which appeals to our affections; _like_, that which appeals to our taste, appetite or fancy

«Luxuriant», means “superabundant”; _luxurious_ means “consequent upon luxury”

«Mad», means “insane,” and is not a synonym for _angry_

«Man», see «Gentleman»

«May», see «Can»

«Me», is often wrongly used for _I_: e.g., _Between you and I_ [me]; _It is me_ [I]; _You know as well as me_ [I]

«Means», may be either singular or plural. Say, _No other means was at hand_, or _Various means were suggested_

«Most», should not be used for _almost_

«Must», should not be used for _had to_ or _was obliged_: e.g., _The hour arrived when he must_ [had to] _decide_. In its proper use it refers to the present or future: e.g., _The hour will arrive when he must decide_ {108}

«Mutual», should not be used in the sense of “shared in common,” as it means “reciprocal.” It can refer to but two persons or things. _Mutual_ friendship is that which exists between two friends; _common_ friendship that which is shared by two friends for a third

«Negligence», implies failure to conform to an established custom; _neglect_ means “a failure to act”

«Neither», signifies one of two. In designating one of three or more, say _No one_

«News», is singular in construction

«Nice», should not be used loosely; as, _She was nice to us_. It means keenness in discrimination; as, _It was a fine point, nicely considered_. The incorrect use of this word is an Americanism especially offensive to the English. Oscar Wilde, when in America, remarked, “I think _nice_ is a nasty word,” to which his hearer retorted, “I don’t think _nasty_ is a nice word”

«No place», should be written _nowhere_

«Nor», see «Or»

«Not . . . but», forms a double negative: e.g., _I have not asked you but once_ should be _I have asked you but once_

«Notorious», is not a synonym for _celebrated_ or _famous_. It means “of bad repute”

«Nowhere near», is a vulgarism for _not nearly_

NUMBER: pronouns are often used which differ in number from their antecedents: e.g., _Nobody should feel that their_ [his] _interests have been neglected_; _Each of the ladies, like two excellent actresses, were_ [was] _perfect in their_ [her] _parts_ [part]. Singular nouns are sometimes used with plural verbs, or the reverse: e.g., _None but the brave deserve_ [deserves] _the fair_; _There’s_ [there are] _the boys_

«Of», is sometimes wrongly used for _have_: e.g., _I shouldn’t of_ [have] _come if I had known_

«Or», should not be used with _neither_. Use _nor_ {109}

«Ought», should never be combined with _had_: e.g., _You hadn’t ought to do that_ should be _You ought not to do that_

«Out loud», should never be used for _aloud_

«Partake of», should not be used in the sense of _eat_. It means “to share with others”

«Party», should not be used for _person_

«Per», should not be used with English words. Say _One dollar a year_, or _One dollar per annum_

«Perception», means the inlet of all the materials of knowledge; _apperception_ means the knowledge that one possesses these materials. A man with _perception_ knows; a man with _apperception_ knows that he knows

PLURALS: of foreign words should be carefully ascertained: e.g., _cherubim_ is the plural of _cherub_; _memoranda_, of _memorandum_; _data_, of _datum_; _donne_, of _donna_; _strata_, of _stratum_; _addenda_, of _addendum_; _rubaiyat_, of _rubai_. Do not say, _A memoranda_

«Pretty», should not be used in a modifying sense, nor as a synonym for _very_: e.g., _It is not as good as yours, but it is pretty_ [fairly] _good_; _I didn’t hit it, but I came pretty_ [very] _close_

«Propose», meaning “to offer,” should not be confused with _purpose_, meaning “to intend.” Say, _He proposed an amendment_, and _I have told you what I purpose_

«Quite», should not be used in a modifying sense as if meaning “rather.” _It is not what I expected, but it is quite good_ is wrong. The word means “wholly”: e.g., _Not quite_ = not wholly; _quite satisfactory_ = wholly satisfactory

«Raise», should not be used as a noun

«Rarely ever», is a vulgarism for _rarely_ or _hardly ever_

«Reference», should be used with _with_ rather than _in_. Say, _With reference to_ rather than _In reference to_ {110}

«Regard», see «Reference»

«Respect», see «Reference»

«Reverend», should always be preceded by _the_: e.g., _The Reverend James Brown Smith_

«Same», should not be used as a pronoun: e.g., _Your letter received, and in reply [to same] would say_. Omit bracketed words

«Same as», should not be used for _just as_ or _in the same way_: e.g., _Treat him the same_ [just] _as you would wish to be treated_

«Scarcely», see «Hardly»

«Seldom ever», see «Rarely ever»

«Sensible of», means “having perception”; _sensitive to_ means “affected by”

«Set», should not be confused with _sit_. _To set_ means “to cause to sit”: e.g., _The bird sits upon the tree_, and _The waiter set two chairs for us_

«Sewage», means the contents of sewers; _sewerage_ means the system

«Shall», signifies simple expectancy in the first person, and _will_ represents determination. This reverses with the second and third persons: e.g., EXPECTANCY, I shall (should), thou wilt (wouldst), he will (would), we shall (should), you will (would), they will (would). DETERMINATION, I will (would), thou shalt (shouldst), he shall (should), we will (would), you shall (should), they shall (should). This time-honored illustration of the misuse of these words is easily remembered: _I will drown, nobody shall save me_. In interrogative sentences, the forms of the future are the same as in a declarative sentence, and their proper use may be easily remembered by noting that the same auxiliary is used as is expected in the reply: e.g., _Shall you go?_ suggests merely future action, anticipating the reply, _I shall_ or _I shall not_; _Will you go?_ shows that the speaker expects a reply of determination, _I will_ or _I will not_

«She», see «Her» {111}

«Should», ought not to be used for _to_: e.g., _I want you should_ [to] _do this_. (See also «Want».) As between _should_ and _would_, see «Shall». The same usage obtains, except that sometimes _should_ is used in the sense of _ought_: e.g., _He should be here now_; and _would_ sometimes signifies habitual action: e.g., _Whenever the name was mentioned he would speak slightingly of him_

«Show», should not be used for _play_: e.g., _I went to a show last evening_; nor in the sense of _chance_: e.g., _He has an excellent show of winning_

«Show up», is a vulgarism when used for _expose_

«Since», should not be used for _ago_. Say, _How long ago_ rather than _How long since_

«Size up», is a vulgarism when used for _estimate_

«So», should be used sparingly to modify an adjective: e.g., _I feel so unhappy_. It should not be used for _so that_: e.g., _I wrote him so_ [that] _he understood_

«So . . . as», is required, rather than the correlatives _as . . . as_ in negative statements: e.g., _James is not as_ [so] _clever as John_

«Some», should not be used for _somewhat_: e.g., _The patient is some_[what] _better_

«Some place», should be written _somewhere_

«Sort», see «Kind»

«Sort of», should not be used for _rather_: e.g., _I feel sort of tired_ is incorrect. See also «Kind of»

«Splendid», should not be used for _fine_ or _skilful_. It implies “splendor”

«Start», should not be used for _begin_: e.g., _He started_ [began] _to speak_

«Stop», should not be used for _stay_: e.g., _I am stopping_ [staying] _with my uncle while in San Francisco_

«Take», is superfluous in connection with other verbs: e.g., _Suppose we [take and] use the drawings we have_. It should not be confused with _bring_: e.g., _I will bring_ [take] _it home with me_; _I will take_ [bring] _the book to you tomorrow_ {112}

«Take stock in», is a slang expression not recognized by good usage. Say _rely on_ or _trust in_

TENSE: errors are often made by neglecting the principle that the time of the recorded action in the subordinate portion of a sentence is relative to the time of the principal clause. The tense of the dependent verb, therefore, is determined by its relation to the verb on which it depends: e.g., _I meant to have done it_ should be _I meant to do it_; _He expected to have told him_ should be _He expected to tell him_. A common mistake is made in replying to formal invitations: e.g., _Mr. Robert Gorham regrets that a previous engagement will prevent_ [prevents] _him from accepting_; _Mr. Gorham will be_ [is] _happy to accept_

«That», see «Which»

«Them», is often misused for _they_: e.g., _It is them_ [they]

«They», see «Them»

«This», should not be used as an adverb. Say, _Thus much is clear_ rather than _This much is clear_, and _Having said thus much_ [or _as much as this_] . . . rather than _Having said this much_ . . .

«Through», should not be used for _finished_. Say, _He has finished speaking_ rather than _He is through speaking_

«Too», alone should not modify a past participle: e.g., _He was too_ [much] _excited to reply_

«Treat», should be followed by _of_ rather than _on_: e.g., _This volume treats of conditions in China_

«Try», should be followed by _to_ rather than _and_: e.g., _I will try and_ [to] _get the information you desire_

«Ugly», should not be used in the sense of _vicious_ or _malicious_. It means “repulsive to the eye.” A color may be _ugly_, but an ill-tempered dog is _vicious_

VERBS: should not be omitted: e.g., _He could do it if he wished to_ [do it]

«Very», should be used sparingly. Foreigners say that America is a country of superlatives, — if anything is good, it is _very_ good, and if bad, it is _very_ bad. Too {113} much emphasis weakens conversation or writing and defeats its object

«Visitor», is a human caller; _visitant_, a supernatural one

«Vocation», means “calling” or “profession”; _avocation_, means an interest outside one’s profession

«Want», should not be used in the sense of _wish_: e.g., _I want it_ really means “I feel the want of it,” or “I lack it.” An example of the correct use of both words is, _China wishes the coöperation of the United States, — a coöperation which is at present wanting_

«Way», should not be used for _away_

«What», is often misused for _that_: e.g., _He has no doubt but what_ [that] _he will succeed_

«Whence», means “from where.” Do not say _from whence_

«Which», should not be used with a clause as its antecedent: e.g., _He replied hotly, which was a mistake_ should be _He replied hotly; this was a mistake_. Do not use _which_ (a neuter pronoun) to represent a masculine or feminine noun. Say _whom_. Between _which_ and _that_, let euphony decide

«Who», is often misused for _whom_ or _whose_: e.g., _Who_ [whom] _did you wish to see?_ _Washington, than whom_ [whose] _no greater name is recorded in American history._ Impersonal objects should be referred to by _which_ rather than _who_

«Whom», see «Who» and «Which»

«Will», see «Shall»

«Woman», see «Gentleman»

«Womanly», means “belonging to woman as woman”; _womanish_ means “effeminate”

«Would», see «Should» {114}

LETTER WRITING

Although it is quite improbable that there will ever be a return to the painstaking, literary art of letter writing, of which we have so many admirable examples in the past, the value of the art as a medium of expressing personality must always be recognized. The force of business competition has introduced short-cuts in business correspondence which are regrettable from a literary standpoint; the universal use of the typewriter has altered conditions; the multiplicity of social demands makes impossible the leisurely written and carefully considered letters between friends which used to be a valued expression of friendship itself. These changes in conditions have been inevitable, but they do not explain the carelessness and the evidences of ignorance of even simple rules of expression and arrangement which are too frequently apparent in the letters even of those whose position in life demands more, in this respect, than they seem able or willing to give. For this reason the present writer does not hesitate to resort to elementary outlines in making clear the basis upon which the art of letter writing rests. {115}

THE HEADING

«I. Business.» — 1. The stationery of a business house invariably contains in its printed heading the name of the house and the location of the business, with a space for filling in the date. The arrangement, therefore, is arbitrarily and usually correctly fixed. The name of the city or town, with street address, if required, comes first, occupying one or two lines, followed by the date, always at the right, either in the same line or in a line by itself: e.g.,

BOSTON, 12 March, 1912
or
189 State St., Boston
12 March, 1912

2. If there is no punctuation at the ends of the printed lines, there should be no point used after the date.

3. The number of the day should not be followed by _st_, _nd_, _rd_, _d_, or _th_: e.g., _12 March_, not _12th March_.

«II. Informal.» — 1. There is considerable latitude in the heading in informal or friendly letters. The address of the writer may be placed at the beginning or the end of the letter, or omitted altogether if well-known to the addressee.

2. The date may be at the beginning or the end, but should never be omitted.

«III. Formal.» — 1. In formal letters the place and date should be written at the end, on the left. {116}

THE ADDRESS

«I. Business.» — 1. The name and address of the addressee should be placed at the beginning of every business letter, on the left, immediately preceding the salutation. It should be in two or three lines, the indention being either blocked[14] or _en échelon_[14]: e.g.,

Messrs. Smith, Robinson & Co. 713 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pa. (_blocked_) _or_ Messrs. Smith, Robinson & Co. (_en échelon_) _or_ Philadelphia, Pa. Messrs. Smith, Robinson & Co. 713 Chestnut Street (_en échelon_) Philadelphia, Pa.

«II. Informal.» — 1. The same latitude is allowed here as in the matter of the date. It is customary, however, to omit the address in informal or friendly correspondence.

«III. Formal.» — 1. The address is always placed at the end in formal letters, on the left, below the place and date. Its arrangement may be blocked[15] or _en échelon_,[15] but this should be the same arrangement as that adopted for the place and the address.

2. In making reply to formal invitations, the address of the addressee is omitted.

THE SALUTATION

«I. Business.» — 1. The salutation should be so written as to line with the first line of the address, on the left. {117}

[14] See page 56.

[15] See page 56.

2. Ordinarily it should occupy a line by itself, but when the address requires three lines, the salutation may be made a part of the body of the letter, being followed by a colon and a dash: e.g., _Gentlemen:―_

3. When the salutation is in a line by itself it calls for a comma if the letter is informal, and for a colon if it is formal.

4. The proper form of the salutation is _Gentlemen_, _Dear Sir(s)_, _My dear Sir_ (if the letter is signed by an individual name), _Dear Madam_ or _My dear Madam_ (to a married or single woman), _Ladies_.

5. The proper capitalization is here shown.

«II. Informal.» — 1. The salutation _Dear Sir_ is less formal than _My dear Sir_, although in England the opposite opinion prevails.

2. The capitalization is the same as in business letters; i.e., the first word and the word which stands in place of the person’s name are capitalized: e.g., _My own dear Sister_, _My dear Aunt Mary_, or _Dear John_, _My dear Friend_.

3. In an informal letter the comma is usually used after the salutation.

4. Do not use abbreviations in the salutation: e.g., write _Dear Doctor Smith_, not _Dear Dr. Smith_.

5. Do not omit the salutatory phrase: _Friend James_, or _Mr. James Smith_ is too abrupt.

«III. Formal.» — 1. A letter to the President of the United States or to King George {118} should have the salutation _Sir_; to the Pope, _Your Holiness_; to the Vice-President, _Mr. Vice-President, Sir_; to a duke, _My Lord Duke_; to a baron, _My Lord_; to a cardinal, _Your Eminence_; to an archbishop in England, _My Lord Archbishop_, in the United States, _The Most Reverend ——, Sir_; to a bishop in England, _My Lord Bishop_, in the United States, _Most Reverend Sir_; to a dean or to an archdeacon, _Reverend Sir_; to a senator, congressman, mayor, or judge, _Sir_ or _Dear Sir_; to an ambassador, _To the —— Ambassador, Sir_.

2. A colon should follow the salutation in formal letters.

THE TEXT OF THE LETTER

«I. Business.»[16] — 1. The idea that curtness and brevity are essential characteristics of a business letter exists now only in the minds of the inexperienced, the ignorant, or the careless. One still finds stock phrases and omitted articles to a surprising extent, — so much so that a well-written business letter carries with it more weight because of the contrast which it offers. The writers of the best business letters today lose no time in getting to the point, but they extend to their correspondent the courtesy of correct diction. Arrangement, punctuation, spelling, and grammar reflect favorably or otherwise upon the reputation of the house. {119}

[16] See example 1 on page 126.

2. Avoid such monotonous expressions as the following: (_a_) _Yours_, _your favor_, _your esteemed favor_; write _letter_. (_b_) _12th inst._, _12th_, _recent date_; write _12 March_. (_c_) _I will say_, _I would say_, _I can say_; write _Allow me to say_, or omit it altogether. (_d_) _In reply would say_; write _In reply I would say_, or _In reply allow me to say_. (_e_) _Same_, _the same_; write _it_ or _they_. (_f_) _Please find enclosed_; write _I enclose_. (_g_) _Hoping to hear soon_, _thanking you in advance_, _awaiting your response_, and _oblige_ have all become hackneyed. Omit them unless bearing specifically upon the text of the letter.

3. Do not omit _I_ or _We_ in such expressions as, _Beg[17] to acknowledge_, _Have been awaiting your advice_.

4. Do not use the first person singular when the letter is signed by the firm name.

5. Do not say _the writer_ in one portion of the letter and _I_ in another.

6. In arrangement, the first line of the text should begin on the line below the salutation, indented about one inch, and each paragraph should be similarly indented.[18] Another style, particularly useful when the letter covers several distinct subjects, is to use the reverse indention, with subheads in capitals at the extreme left.[19] {120}

[17] This should be Beg leave to acknowledge.

[18] See example 1 on page 126.

[19] See example 2 on page 126.

«II. Informal.»[20] — 1. However informal or friendly, a letter should tell what it has to say in a straightforward, coherent manner. Apologies for delay in writing, or for anything else except illness, absence from town, or other cause which demands explanation, are wasteful of paper, ink, and the time of two persons.

2. A general fault in informal letters is the paragraphing and punctuation. The writer should remember that he is trying to express to another mental ideas which have no opportunity to become crystallized by the sound of the voice. He should take especial pains to assist his correspondent in assimilating the thoughts which he expresses, by not running different topics together, and by separating phrases and sentences with their proper marks.

«III. Formal.» — 1. The expedient of writing in the third person is adopted in formal social correspondence.[21] Notes of this kind should have no heading, address, complimentary close, or signature. The date alone, omitting the year, is used, being placed at the end on the left. No abbreviations other than _Mr._, _Mrs._, _Messrs._, and _Dr._ should be used. The date should be spelled out in full.

2. Notes written to tradespeople[22] conveying {121} orders or instructions are also frequently written in the third person. In this case, however, the address is always given at the end on the left, and the date, using figures, is also employed. There is no signature.

[20] See example 3 on page 127.

[21] See example 4 on page 127.

[22] See example 5 on page 128.

THE COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE

I. «Business.» — 1. The accepted forms of complimentary closes of business letters are _Yours truly_, and _Yours very truly_. The forms _Respectfully yours_, _Your obedient servant_, and _Faithfully yours_ are now regarded as too obsequious.

2. The complimentary close should begin in the middle of a line by itself, below the concluding words of the text.

3. The first word alone should be capitalized.

4. A comma should be placed at end of the line.

5. Do not abbreviate any of the words in the complimentary close. Avoid such contractions as _Y’rs_ for _Yours_.

6. Expressions used to introduce the complimentary close, such as _With kind regards_, _I am_, _Believe me_, _Good-bye_, etc., should be treated as part of the concluding line of the text only when closely related to the final sentence; otherwise they occupy a separate line.

II. «Informal.» — 1. The nature of the complimentary close of informal or friendly {122} letters depends upon the degree of intimacy which exists between the correspondents. The usual forms are, _Yours sincerely_, or _Yours very truly_, but they may properly be used as expressions of affection, as _Your devoted husband_, or _Your loving daughter_.

III. «Formal.» — 1. There is no complimentary close to formal notes written in the third person.

2. The complimentary closes to formal letters addressed to persons in high positions are as follows: to the President of the United States, _I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant_; to King George, _I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Majesty’s most obedient servant_. This form is modified as the rank of the person addressed becomes less important. To a congressman, for instance, one would say no more than, _I have the honor to be_.

THE SIGNATURE

1. The signature should be written on a line by itself, a little to the right of the complimentary close.

2. Women should always sign their full names or indicate in brackets how they should be addressed. Any one of the following forms is proper:

_a._ (Miss) M. L. Brown _b._ (Mrs.) Ellen M. Brown _c._ Ellen M. Brown (Mrs. J. H. Brown)

{123}

3. In letters to all except the family or intimate friends the Christian name and the surname should be signed in full.

THE ENVELOPE

1. The arrangement of the address upon the envelope is largely a matter of taste. It usually occupies three or four lines, written _en échelon_,[23] but some writers prefer the blocked[24] formation.

2. In business letters the word street and the name of the state may be abbreviated, but in formal and informal letters it is better form to spell out in full.

3. Legibility is even more essential in the address than in the letter itself.

4. It is good form to write the street and number or the postoffice box in the lower left-hand corner.

5. The abbreviations _No._ and # before the figures in the street address should be omitted.

6. _In care of_ should be written out in full.

7. The stamp should always be placed in the upper right-hand corner, as a convenience to the postoffice officials. Care should be taken to affix the stamp neatly, as carelessness in this respect reflects upon the sender.

8. Punctuation may be omitted at the ends of the lines; otherwise use a comma, except at the end of the last line. {124}

[23] See page 56.

[24] See page 56.

9. The title _Esq._ is more complimentary than _Mr._, and the former should always be used when addressing men holding a college degree or of social standing. In formal social addresses _Mr._ (or _Dr._, etc.) is always used.

10. In addressing envelopes to persons in high positions the following forms should be used: To the President of the United States, _The President, Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C._; to King George, _His Majesty, the King, London_ (omit _England_, as this is considered a provincialism); to the Pope, _His Holiness, Pope Pius X., Rome_ (omit _Italy_); to a member of the Cabinet, _To the Honorable the Secretary of State_; to a duke, _His Grace, the Duke of ——_; to a baron, _The Right Honorable, the Lord ——_; to a cardinal, _To His Eminence, William Cardinal O’Connell_; to an archbishop in England, _The Most Reverend —— His Grace the Lord Archbishop of ——_; to a bishop in England, _The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of ——_, in the United States, _The Right Reverend_ (Christian and surname), adding honorary titles; to a dean in England, _The Very Reverend the Dean of ——_; to an archdeacon in England, _The Venerable the Archdeacon_ (surname); to a senator, congressman, mayor, or judge, _Honorable_ (Christian and surname); to a governor, _His Excellency, the Governor of ——_; to an ambassador, _His Excellency the British Ambassador_. {125}

POSTAL CARDS

1. Postal cards have become much more common during the past few years, the pictorial variety being particularly popular. The prejudice against their use has largely disappeared.

2. Postal cards do not require salutation or complimentary close.

IN GENERAL

1. Use black ink and never use a pencil, even in friendly letters, except in an emergency.

2. Do not practise economy of paper by writing in the margin.

3. Fold the letter so that when taken from the envelope it will open right-side up.

4. Never omit the date from any note or letter, however unimportant.

5. In brief letters the first and fourth or first and third pages may be written upon, leaving the others blank.

6. Avoid postscripts except in an emergency.

7. Unruled paper should be used for all correspondence.

8. Typewritten letters are permissible only in business correspondence, and even in these the signature should be written by hand.

9. Any evidence of haste is a discourtesy. Never sign a letter, _Yours in haste_.

10. Underscoring is permissible only in informal letters and should be used sparingly. {126}

EXAMPLES OF CORRECT LETTER WRITING

1. BUSINESS LETTER I

NORWOOD, MASS.,
12 March, 1912
MESSRS. FREDERICK A. STOKES CO.
443 Fourth Ave.
New York, N.Y.

GENTLEMEN: Your letter of 11 March is at hand, and we acknowledge receipt of the MS. of “The Writer’s Desk Book,” together with your detailed instructions. The MS. shall be put into type without delay, and galley proofs shall be sent to the author in accord with your advice. We expect to complete the typesetting within two weeks’ time. Thanking you for the order, we are Yours very truly, THE PLIMPTON PRESS

2. BUSINESS LETTER II (reverse indention)

443 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK, N. Y.
25 March, 1912
THE PLIMPTON PRESS
Norwood, Mass.

GENTLEMEN:
We beg leave to take up with you the various details of
manufacture relating to the various books in your
hands, as follows:
WRITER’S DESK BOOK: In addition to the proofs which
you are now sending to the author, please send two
additional sets of galley and page proof to us.
MEISSONIER: The sample page which you submit is
accepted. We shall require two sets of page-proof only.
MAXIMS OF METHUSELAH: Please print an edition of
5000 copies, using paper which you have in stock for us.

Yours very truly,
FREDERICK A. STOKES CO.

{127}

3. INFORMAL OR FRIENDLY LETTER

NICE,
August 28, 1857

MY DEAR ENTHUSIAST, Again I request your kind offices by the enclosed note, in giving it or forwarding it to my brother. Charles and I have been much gratified in reading aloud — he reading to me while I work — the life of Shakespeare by Thomas Campbell. It is put together in a most pleasant spirit, which all the biographies are not. But a poet is sure to write well on a poet. Everything that Coleridge, for instance, says of our Idol is in charming taste; and also Barry Cornwall’s Memoir and Essay on Shakespeare and his Writings has the same delightful poetic charm. After reading the heap of inappreciative discussions on the subject, it is truly refreshing to go through the dissertations of such authors as these upon our poet of poets. They can best feel his merits, and can therefore most veneratingly and modestly treat the theme of his genius and greatness. With united kindest regards from Charles and myself to you and Mrs. Balmanno, believe me to be Gratefully, _Mary Cowden Clarke_

ROBERT BALMANNO, ESQ.
NEW YORK, N. Y.

4. FORMAL SOCIAL NOTES

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Winslow
request the pleasure of Mr. James
Gorham’s company at dinner on
Thursday evening, January the
twelfth, at half after seven o’clock.
487 Beacon Street
January the fourth[25]

[25] While this form is commonly used, it is not grammatically correct. One may say George the Fourth, because three Georges have preceded him. Strictly speaking, one should write _The fourth of January_.

{128}

Mr. James Gorham regrets that
an engagement previously made
prevents[26] him from accepting the
kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs.
Winslow for dinner on Thursday
evening, January the twelfth.
289 Commonwealth Avenue
January the fifth

5. FORMAL NOTE TO TRADESMAN

Mrs. Gorham desires Messrs. Smith
& Robinson to send for her examination
the electric ironing apparatus
advertised in this morning’s “Herald.”
312 Sigourney Street
12 January, 1912

(_A note of this kind should always have the address._)

[26] See under _Tense_ on page 112.

{129}

POSTAL REGULATIONS

CLASSES OF MAIL

Domestic matter is divided into four classes, governed as follows:

_First Class_ embraces letters, postal cards, post cards, all matter wholly or partly in writing or sealed against inspection. Rate, 2 cents for each ounce and fraction. Limit of weight, 4 pounds.

_Second Class_ applies to newspapers and periodicals in their entirety bearing the printed statement “Entered at the post-office as second-class matter,” etc., when they are mailed by the public. Parts of publications are third-class matter. Additions may be made on the wrapper or the matter itself; there may be written or printed the name and address of the sender, preceded by the word “from”; the name and address of the person to whom sent; the words “sample copy” or “marked copy,” or both, as the case may be. On the matter itself the sender may place all that is permitted on the wrapper; correct typographical errors in the text; designate by marks, not by words, {130} a word or passage in the text to which it is desired to call attention. Other writing will subject the package to the first-class rate.

Rate 1 cent for each 4 ounces or fraction. Full prepayment required. No limit of weight.

_Third Class_ includes unsealed books, newspapers and periodicals not admitted to the second class, circulars, miscellaneous printed matter on paper not having the nature of personal correspondence, and proof sheets, corrected proof sheets, and manuscript copy accompanying the same, engravings, lithographs, seeds, scions, cuttings, bulbs, roots, and plants. Also facsimile copies made by a mechanical process such as the printing press, electric pen, mimeograph, hektograph, copygraph, etc., provided that they are mailed at the post-office window in the minimum number of twenty identical copies separately addressed. If mailed elsewhere or in less number, first-class postage is required.

A circular may have in writing therein the name of the addressee or sender or date.

Corrections in proof sheets include the alteration of the text and insertion of new matter, as well as the correction of typographical and other errors. They include also marginal instructions to the printer necessary to the correction of the matter or its proper appearance in print. Part of an article may be entirely rewritten if that be necessary for {131} correction. Corrections must be upon the margin of or attached to the proof sheets. Manuscript of one article cannot be inclosed with proof or corrected proof sheets of another except at the first-class rate. Written designation of contents, such as “book,” “printed matter,” “photo,” is permissible upon the wrapper of mail matter of the third class.

A single card bearing the written name and address of the sender, or an envelope bearing a written or printed name and address of the sender, may be inclosed with a circular, catalogue, or other third-class matter without affecting the classification thereof. Public library books, otherwise mailable at the third-class rate, may bear any printed or written mark which may reasonably be construed as a necessary _inscription_ for the purpose of a permanent library record.

Rate 1 cent each 2 ounces or fraction. Limit of weight, 4 pounds, except single books. Postage must be fully prepaid and great care exercised not to add any written words or figures except such as are permissible.

_Parcel Post_ includes all (unsealed) matter not embraced in the three classes already enumerated, except seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, scions, and plants, on which the rate is one-half cent per ounce. Important changes are certain to be made from time to time during the experimental period, so readers are urged to secure the {132} latest information from their own post-office. The basic regulations at present are as follows:

SPECIAL STAMPS REQUIRED. Denominations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50 and 75c. $1. WEIGHT LIMIT: Eleven (11) pounds. SIZE LIMIT: 72 inches, length and girth combined. PARCELS MAY BE INSURED up to $50.00 by paying a fee of 10 cents. RATES PER POUND: Depend on distance parcel is to be carried. See Table of Rates on page 162. MARKING: Parcels must bear name and address of sender, preceded by word “From.” MAILING: Parcels exceeding 4 ounces in weight must be mailed at post-office.

WRAPPING OF MAIL MATTER

All mail matter should be so wrapped as safely to bear transmission without breaking, or injuring mail bags or the contents of mail bags or the persons of those handling them. Second, third, and fourth-class matter must be so wrapped or enveloped that the contents may be examined easily by postal officials. When not so wrapped, or when bearing or containing writing not authorized by law, the matter will be treated as of the first class.

FORWARDING MAIL MATTER

Matter of the first class may be forwarded until it reaches the addressee. All other classes require prepayment of the original postage before forwarding.

WHAT CANNOT BE MAILED

All transient second-class matter and all matter of the third or fourth class not wholly {133} prepaid, and letters and other first-class matter not prepaid are full rate — 2 cents.

All matter weighing over 4 pounds, except second-class matter, single books, and documents printed and circulated by authority of Congress.

Postal, post, or other cards mailed without wrappers and all matter bearing upon the outside cover or wrapper any delineations, epithets, terms, or language of an indecent, lewd, lascivious, obscene, libelous, scurrilous, defamatory or threatening character, or calculated by the terms of manner or style of display, and obviously intended to reflect injuriously upon the character or conduct of another.

Post cards bearing particles of glass, metal, mica, sand, tinsel, etc., are unmailable.

All matter concerning any lottery, so-called gift concert, or other enterprise of chance, or concerning schemes devised for the purpose of obtaining money or property under false pretenses.

CONCEALED MATTER

For knowingly concealing or inclosing any matter of a higher class in that of a lower class, and depositing or causing the same to be deposited for conveyance by mail at a less rate than would be charged for both such higher and lower class, the offender will be liable for every such offense to a fine of $10. {134}

DOMESTIC RATES

The domestic rates apply to the United States, Porto Rico, Guam, Philippine Islands, Shanghai (China), Tutuila, Cuba, Canada,[27] Mexico,[27] Hawaii, Republic of Panama and the Panama Canal Zone.

[27] See exceptions which follow.

FOREIGN RATES

Mail matter addressed to countries in the Universal Postal Union is subject to the following rates: Letters and sealed packages, 5 cents for one ounce or fraction thereof, and 3 cents for each additional ounce or fraction thereof, if prepaid, and double that rate if not prepaid, except Great Britain, and Germany (if sent by steamers sailing for Germany direct), which is 2 cents per ounce.

Postal and private mail cards, 2 cents each.

Printed matter of every kind, commercial papers, samples of merchandise, 1 cent each 2 ounces or fraction thereof, but at least 5 cents must be paid on each packet of commercial papers and 2 cents on each packet of samples of merchandise.

Mail schedules showing the name of steamer, hour of closing of the mail at the General Post-Office, etc., may be found in the corridors of the General Post-Office or any of its stations. {135}

Exceptions for Cuba, Mexico, Canada, and Republic of Panama

Matter mailed in United States addressed to MEXICO is subject to the same postage rates and conditions as that addressed in the United States, except that articles of miscellaneous merchandise (fourth-class matter) in unsealed packages not sent as bona fide trade samples are required to be sent by “Parcels Post,” and that the following articles are absolutely excluded from the mails:

All sealed packages other than letters in the usual form; all packages (including packages of second-class matter which weigh more than 4 pounds 6 ounces), except such as are sent by parcels post; publications which violate any copyright law of Mexico.

Samples of merchandise: Packages not in excess of 4 ounces, 2 cents. Packages in excess of 4 ounces, for each 2 ounces or fraction thereof, 1 cent. Limit of weight, 12 ounces.

Mail matter in United States addressed to CANADA and CUBA is subject to same postage rates and conditions as addressed for delivery in United States, except that the following articles are absolutely excluded from the mails:

All packages closed against inspection and not in usual form of a letter; all packages, except single volumes of printed books, {136} which weigh more than 4 pounds 6 ounces; publications which violate any copyright law of Canada, Cuba, or Republic of Panama.

Unsealed packages of “commercial papers” are admitted to the mails dispatched from this country to Mexico and Canada at the same rate and subject to the same conditions as to weight and dimensions as apply to commercial papers in mails dispatched to other countries of Universal Postal Union.

FOREIGN PARCELS POST

Parcels Post conventions are in effect with the following countries, the rate of postage being 12 cents a pound or fraction: Australia,[28] Austria,[28] Bahamas, Barbadoes,[28] Belgium,[28] Bermuda, Bolivia, British Guiana, British Honduras, Chili, certain places in China; Costa Rica, Denmark.[28] Dutch Guiana — _Parcels cannot be registered_. Ecuador — _Parcels must not exceed $50 in value_. France — _Parcels cannot be registered and must not weigh over 4 pounds 6 ounces or exceed $50 in value_. Germany. Great Britain and Ireland — _Parcels cannot be registered_. Guatemala, Honduras, Hongkong,[28] Hungary,[28] Jamaica, Japan.[28] Mexico — _Limit of size, 2 feet in length, 4 feet in girth_. Netherlands[28] — _Parcels cannot be registered_. Newfoundland, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway,[28] Peru, Salvador, Sweden,[28] Trinidad. {137} Uruguay — _Parcels cannot be registered_. Venezuela, Windward Islands.

[28] Parcels not to exceed $80 in value.

Parcels Post packages may be mailed only at the main post-office or at branch carrier stations after each package has been examined and is attached to a parcels post declaration.

MONEY ORDER FEES

Fees for money orders payable in the United States (which includes Hawaii and Porto Rico) and its possessions comprising the Canal Zone (Isthmus of Panama), Guam, the Philippines, and Tutuila, Samoa; also for orders payable in Bahamas, Bermuda, British Guiana, British Honduras, Canada, Cuba, Newfoundland, at the United States postal agency at Shanghai (China), and in certain islands in the West Indies:

Not exceeding $2.50 3c Over $2.50 to $5 5c Over $5 to $10 8c Over $10 to $20 10c Over $20 to $30 12c Over $30 to $40 15c Over $40 to $50 18c Over $50 to $60 20c Over $60 to $75 25c Over $75 to $100 30c

Fees for International Money Orders

When payable in Apia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Chili, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Hongkong, Japan, Liberia, Luxemburg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Orange River Colony, Peru, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and Transvaal: {138}

Not exceeding $10 8c Over $10 to $20 10c Over $20 to $30 15c Over $30 to $40 20c Over $40 to $50 25c Over $50 to $60 30c Over $60 to $70 35c Over $70 to $80 40c Over $80 to $90 45c Over $90 to $100 50c

When payable in Cape Colony, France, Great Britain, Greece, Republic of Honduras, Italy, New South Wales, Queensland, Russia, Salvador, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria:

Not exceeding $10 10c Over $10 to $20 20c Over $20 to $30 30c Over $30 to $40 40c Over $40 to $50 50c Over $50 to $60 60c Over $60 to $70 70c Over $70 to $80 80c Over $80 to $90 90c Over $90 to $100 $1

REGISTERED MAIL

_Domestic_

Any article of the first, second, third, or fourth class mail matter may be registered at any post-office in the United States. The fee on registered matter, domestic or foreign, is 10 cents for each letter or parcel, to be affixed in stamps, in addition to the postage. Full prepayment of postage and fee is required. Two or more letters or parcels addressed to, or intended for, the same person cannot be tied or otherwise fastened together and registered as one.

A return receipt signed by the recipient and showing delivery is returned to the sender of each domestic registered letter or parcel if requested at the time of mailing. {139}

If it is desired that registered matter be delivered to the addressee only, it should be endorsed “To be delivered to the addressee only.”

The postal authorities give an indemnity for domestic first-class registered mail lost in transit up to $50.

_Foreign_

1. Any article of mail matter, except parcels post packages for France, The Netherlands, Uruguay, Great Britain, Barbadoes, Dutch Guiana, may be registered, provided that when presented for registration the postage thereon be fully prepaid by postage stamps affixed, also the registration fee, which is uniformly 10 cents.

2. Name and address of sender in full must be indorsed on or written across the end of the letter or article before it can be registered.

3. The senders of registered articles may obtain assurance of their receipt by persons addressed by indorsing them with the words, “Return receipt requested.”

SPECIAL DELIVERY SYSTEM

A special 10 cent stamp, when attached to a letter or package (in addition to the lawful postage), will entitle such to immediate delivery at destination within the carrier limit of a free delivery office between the hours of 7 A.M. and 11 P.M., and from 7 A.M. to {140} 7 P.M. at all other offices, or until after the arrival of the last mail at night, provided that be not later than 9 P.M. Special delivery mail must be delivered on Sunday, as well as on other days, if post-office is open on Sundays.

If special delivery matter fails of delivery because there is no person at the place of address to receive it, the matter is returned to the post-office and delivered in the ordinary mail.

Ten cents worth of ordinary stamps with “special delivery” written on envelope serves the same purpose. Short-paid second, third, and fourth class matter, to which is attached a special delivery stamp, cannot be forwarded.

POSTAL DISTANCES AND TIME FROM NEW YORK CITY

SHORTEST ROUTES AND TIME IN TRANSIT BY FASTEST TRAINS

_Subject to alterations occasioned by changes in time tables and connections_

-------------------+------+--------- Cities in U. S. | Mls. | Hrs. -------------------+------+--------- Albany, N. Y. | 142 | 3 1/2 Atlanta, Ga. | 882 | 24 1/4 Baltimore, Md. | 138 | 6 Bismarck, N. Dak. | 1738 | 60 1/2 Boise, Idaho | 2736 | 92 1/2 Boston, Mass. | 217 | 6 Buffalo, N. Y. | 410 | 9 1/2 Cape May, N. J. | 172 | 5 Carson City, Nev. | 3036 | 109 1/4 Charleston, S. C. | 804 | 21 1/4 Chattanooga, Ten. | 853 | 32 Cheyenne, Wyo. | 1899 | 54 Chicago, Ill. | 900 | 23 Cincinnati, O. | 744 | 23 Cleveland, O. | 568 | 19 1/2 Columbus, O. | 624 | 20 Concord, N. H. | 292 | 9 1/2 Deadwood, S. Dak. | 1957 | 65 1/2 Denver, Col. | 1930 | 61 1/2 Des Moines, Ia. | 1257 | 37 1/2 Detroit, Mich. | 743 | 21 Galveston, Tex. | 1789 | 56 1/2 Harrisburg, Pa. | 182 | 6 Hartford, Ct. | 112 | 4 Helena, Mont. | 2423 | 89 Hot Springs, Ark. | 1367 | 55 Indianapolis, Ind. | 808 | 23 Jacksonville, Fla. | 1077 | 30 {141} Kansas City, Mo. | 1302 | 38 1/4 Louisville, Ky. | 854 | 30 Memphis, Tenn. | 1163 | 40 Milwaukee, Wis. | 985 | 29 1/4 Montgomery, Ala. | 1057 | 26 Montpelier, Vt. | 327 | 10 1/4 New Orleans, La. | 1344 | 32 Omaha, Neb. | 1383 | 43 Philadelphia, Pa. | 90 | 3 Pittsburgh, Pa. | 431 | 13 Portland, Me. | 325 | 12 Portland, Ore. | 3181 | 141 1/2 Prescott, Ariz. | 2724 | 94 Providence, R. I. | 189 | 5 Richmond, Va. | 344 | 11 1/4 St. Louis, Mo. | 1048 | 29 St. Paul, Minn. | 1300 | 37 Salt Lake City, U. | 2452 | 71 1/2 San Francisco, Cal.| 3250 | 105 Santa Fe, N. Mex. | 2173 | 82 Savannah, Ga. | 905 | 26 1/4 Tacoma, Wash. | 3209 | 102 Topeka, Kan. | 1370 | 48 Trenton, N. J. | 57 | 2 Vicksburgh, Miss. | 1288 | 50 Vinita, Ind. Ter. | 1412 | 42 Washington, D. C. | 228 | 6 Wheeling, W. Va. | 496 | 14 1/4 Wilmington, Del. | 117 | 5 Wilmington, N. C. | 593 | 20 -------------------+------+---------

FOREIGN CITIES FROM NEW YORK CITY