add to the attractiveness of the envelope? The following suggestions should be given careful consideration: 1. Either Mr., which precedes the name, or Esq., which follows the name, is used in addressing men. These abbreviations (from Mister and Esquire) are titles of respect only. Some reserve Esq. for lawyers, for whom it is always appropriate; some, for men who have achieved distinction. Others use it freely instead of Mr. Both titles should never be used with the same name. 2. It is not in good taste to use the husband's title in addressing the wife, as Mrs. Dr. Davis. 3. Address the principal of a school as Walter A. Davis, Esq., Principal of the Central High School. In addressing a professor, write Professor William H. White. Prin. and Prof. are unattractive abbreviations. 4. Instead of Reverend Dr. John B. Luce, write The Reverend John B. Luce, D.D. 5. Honorable is a title given to persons "who hold or have held any considerable office under the national or State government, particularly to members and ex-members of Congress and of State legislatures, to judges, justices, and some other judicial officers, as well as to certain executive officers, as mayors. EXERCISE 167. On slips of paper cut three and one half inches by six, four by nine, or four by five, write suitable envelope addresses to the following persons and firms. Choose in each instance the size which you consider the most appropriate. 1 The Century Dictionary. 1. One of your teachers. 2. A well-known business house in your town. 3. The wife of a physician, whose box number is 1526. 4. A doctor of divinity. 5. A lawyer (the inclosure to be a legal document). 6. A member of Congress. 7. A prominent firm in a neighboring city. 8. A farmer who lives in a rural free-delivery district. 60. Suggestions. 1. A good letter shows clearly where, when, to whom, and by whom it was written. 2. A careful letter writer keeps in mind his relations with the person to whom he writes. 3. Abbreviations are in general to be avoided. The men who do the most business usually find time to spell the full word. "Y'rs rec'd" and "Resp'y" are unnecessary. 4. The order of the pages should be perfectly clear to the reader. 5. When delivered by a friend, a note should not be sealed unless the bearer chooses to seal it. On the envelope inclosing such a note we write : Mr. James A. Wilbur Kindness of Mr. Howard 6. It is a good rule to inclose a stamp whenever you ask a favor which calls for the use of one. 7. It is wise to write your name and address in the upper left-hand corner of an envelope which incloses a letter of special importance. 8. Such a little thing as placing the stamp in the upper right-hand corner, right side up, adds to the attractiveness of the envelope. 61. Business Letters. Having mastered the forms, the writer of a business letter should take pains to be (1) clear and (2) concise. He should tell the busy man whom he is addressing precisely what that man needs to know and nothing more. The reply to a business letter should be prompt and definite. Examine carefully the following business letters. Inclosed you will find a money order for three dollars, for which please send The Outlook to my address during the coming year. Yours truly, Walter H. Bigelow. II II Boylston Street, May 19, 1912. Mr. Howard A. Edmands, Pembroke, Mass. Dear Sir: I have seen your "Summer Camp for Boys" advertised in the Atlantic, and shall be interested to know more about it. Kindly send me any printed matter that you have, and give additional information, if necessary, on the following points: 1. Is the number of boys limited? If so, what is the limit? 2. Is there a resident physician or nurse at the Camp? 3. What is the character of the meals served? 4. How much extra money should a boy have for spending purposes? I should like to have at least two references from business men in this vicinity. Yours very truly, George H. Hilman. III Messrs. Mayfield, Jones and Co., Gentlemen: Oakdale, Mass., May 19, 1912. some I wish to purchase material for a graduation dress thing durable and inexpensive. I am not sure that you do a mailorder business, but if you do, will you kindly send me samples of pure white and cream white wash dress goods which would be suitable for the purpose mentioned? I do not care to pay more than seventy-five cents a yard. This letter is to introduce to you an acquaintance of mine, James Edgerton, who is about to enter the Springville Academy. He finds it necessary to work his way, and is anxious to secure a part-time office position. If you can put him in touch with any such opportunity, you will be helping a most deserving boy. Both Mr. Ellis and I shall appreciate anything you can do for him. Very truly yours, I have been told that you sometimes employ extra assistants in your mailing department during the summer months. If you 1 This salutation is a little less formal than the others in this section. expect to hire additional help the coming season, I should like to be considered for such a position. School will close June 15, and I could begin work June 18, if necessary. I am sixteen years old, and a junior in the high school. I should try hard to become an efficient worker, although I have had no experience in the kind of addressing that is required in your office. I know that our principal, Mr. Charles Eldredge, would be pleased to write you in my behalf, but on account of his illness I should prefer to have you consult my English teacher, Miss Margaret Willey, if you wish a reference. Will you kindly send me by an early mail six yards of cream-white chiffon, suitable for automobile veiling? Charge to my regular account. Very truly yours, (Mrs.) Helen A. Montgomery. EXERCISES 168. Write one of your teachers a letter requesting him to recommend you for a position you would like to fill. Tell him as definitely as possible what your work will be, give him the name and address of the firm or man to whom he is to write, and show that you will appreciate any favor he can do for you. As a way of closing such a letter, which of the two forms that follow do you prefer? Which is the more modest and unassuming? |