The American Gentleman's Guide to Politeness and Fashion Part 19

For he, deep-judging sage, beheld With pain the triumph of the field: And when the charioteer drew nigh, And, flushed with hope, had caught his eye, "Alas! unhappy youth," he cried, "Expect no praise from me," (and sighed); "With indignation I survey _Such skill and judgment thrown away: The time profusely squandered there On vulgar arts, beneath thy care, If well employed, at less expense, Had taught thee Honor, Virtue, Sense; And raised thee from a coachman's fate, To govern men, and guide the state_."

One seldom finds a nicer selection of words than those of the last lines of these admonitory stanzas. With the wish that they may gratify your literary ac.u.men, I am, as ever,

Your faithful friend, HARRY LUNETTES.

LETTER VIII.

LETTER-WRITING.

MY DEAR NEPHEWS:

There is, perhaps, no form of composition with which it is as desirable to be practically familiar, and in which all educated persons should be accomplished, as that of _letter-writing_; yet no branch of an elegant education is more frequently neglected. Consequently, the grossest errors, and the utmost carelessness, are tolerated in regard to it.

Rhetorical faults, and even ungrammatical expressions, are constantly overlooked, and illegibility has almost come to be regarded as an essential characteristic.

Following the homely rule of the lightning-tamer, that "_nothing is worth doing at all that is not worth doing well_," you will not need argument to convince you of the propriety of attention to this subject, while forming habits of life.

Different occasions and subjects require, of course, as various styles of epistolary composition. Thus the laconic language adapted to a formal business letter, would be wholly unsuited to one of friendship; and the playfulness that might be appropriate in a congratulatory communication, would be quite out of place in a letter of condolence.

While it is impossible that any general rules can be laid down that will be always applicable in individual cases, a few directions of universal application may, not inappropriately, be introduced in connection with our present purpose.

The princ.i.p.al requisites of _Letters of Business_ are, _intelligibility_, _legibility_, and _brevity_. To secure the first of these essentials, a clear, concise, expressive selection of language is required. Each word and sentence should express _exactly_ and _unequivocally_ the idea intended to be conveyed, and in _characters_ that will not obscure the sense by doubtful _legibility_. A legible hand should certainly be as essential as intelligible utterance. We pity the man who by stammering, or stuttering, not only taxes the time and patience of his hearers, but leaves them, at times, uncertain of his meaning, despite their efforts to comprehend him. What, then, is the misfortune of those who, like the most genial of wits, 'decline to read their own writing, after it is twenty-four hours old!' Do not, I pray you, let any absurd impression respecting the excusableness of this defect, on the score that _genius is superior to the trifles of detail_, etc., lead you either into carelessness or indifference on the subject.

Few men have the excuse of possessing the dangerous gift of genius, and to affect the weaknesses by which it is sometimes accompanied, is equally silly and contemptible. A man of sense will aim at attaining a true standard of right, not at caricaturing a defective model. Depend upon it, a _good business-hand_ is no small recommendation to young men seeking employment in any of the occupations of life. The propriety of _brevity_ in letters of business, will at once commend itself to your attention. Time--the wealth of the busy--is thus saved for two parties.

But remember, I repeat, that, while this precious treasure is best secured by expressing what you wish to communicate in as few words as possible, nothing is gained by leaving your precise meaning doubtful, by unauthorized abbreviations, confused sentences, or the omission of any essential--as a date, address, proper signature, important question, or item of information. Let me add, that _rapidity of mechanical execution_ is of no mean importance in this regard.

_Letters of Introduction_ should be so expressed as to afford the reader a clue to the particular purpose of the bearer in desiring his acquaintance, if any such there be. This will prevent the awkwardness of a personal explanation, and furnish a convenient theme for the commencement of a conversation between strangers. Thus, if it be simply a friend, travelling in search of pleasure and general information, whom you wish to commend to the general civilities of another friend, some such form as the following will suffice:

MY DEAR SIR:

Allow me the pleasure of introducing to you my friend, Mr. ---- ----, a gentleman whose intelligence and acquirements render his acquaintance an acquisition to all who are favored with his society. Mr. ---- visits your city [or town, or part of the country, or, your celebrated city, or, your enterprising town, or your far-famed State, etc.] merely as an _observant traveller_.

Such attentions as it may be agreeable to you to render him will oblige

Your sincere friend, and obedient servant, ---- ----.

To Hon. ---- ----

When you wish to write a letter of introduction for a person seeking a situation in business, a place of residence, scientific information, or the like; briefly, but distinctly, state this to your correspondent, together with any circ.u.mstance creditable to the bearer, or which it will be advantageous to him to have known, which you can safely venture to avouch. (No one is in any degree bound by individual regard to impair his reputation for probity or veracity in this, or any other respect.)

A letter introducing an Artist, a Lecturer, etc., should contain some allusion to the professional reputation of the bearer--thus:

MY DEAR WILLIAMSON:

This will be presented to you by our distinguished countryman, Mr.

---- ----, who proposes a brief visit to your enterprising city, chiefly for professional purposes. It affords me great pleasure to be the means of securing to friends whom I so highly value, the gratification I feel a.s.sured you and Mr. ---- will derive from knowing each other.

With the best wishes for your mutual success and happiness, I am, my dear sir,

Very truly yours, ---- ----.

To ---- ----, Esq.

In the instance of a celebrity, occupying at the time a s.p.a.ce in the world's eye, something like this will suffice:

BOSTON, _August 1st, 1863_.

MY DEAR FRIEND:

It gives me pleasure to present to your acquaintance a gentleman from whose society you cannot fail to derive high enjoyment. Mr.

---- [or the Hon. ----, or Gen. ----][8] needs no eulogy of mine to render his reputation familiar to you, identified as it is with the literature of our country [or the scientific fame, or the eloquence of the pulpit, etc.] Commending my friend to your courtesy, believe me, my dear Jones,

Truly your friend and servant, ---- ----.

Rev. ---- ----.

[8] Always be scrupulously careful to give _t.i.tles_, and with accuracy. The proper designation of a _gentleman_ not in office, is--_Esquire_. (This, of course, should not be given to a tradesman, or menial.) That of a judge, member of Congress, mayor of a city, member of a State legislature, etc., etc., is--_Honorable_; that of a clergyman--_Reverend_; that of a bishop--_Right Reverend_. You are, of course, familiar with the proper _abbreviations_ for these t.i.tles.

In writing the address of a letter, it is desirable to know the _Christian_ name of the person to whom it is to be directed. Thus, if a physician, "Charles Jones, M. D.," is better than "Dr. Jones." So, "Dr. De Lancey," or "Bishop Potter," are obviously improper. The correct form to be used in this instance, is:

"_To the "Right Rev. Alonzo Potter, D. D._"

The proper address of a _Minister_ representing our government abroad, is--"the Honorable ---- ----, Minister for the U.S. of America, near the Court of St. James, or St. Cloud," etc. That of a _Charge d'Affaires_, or Consul, etc., varies with their respective offices. A _Charge d'Affaires_ is sometimes familiarly spoken of as "_Our Charge_," at such a Court--or as the "_American Charge_."

A clergyman may be addressed as "_Rev. Mr._ ----," if you do not know the first name, or _initial_, and so may a doctor of divinity; but in the latter case it would, perhaps, be better to write--"Rev. Dr.

James,"--though the more accurate mode will still be, if attainable, "Rev. William James, D.D."

Gentlemen of the Army and Navy should always be designated by their proper t.i.tles, and it is well not to be ignorant that a man in either of these professions, when

"He hath got his sword ...

And seems to know the use on't,"

may not like to be reminded that the _slow promotion_ he has attained is _unknown to his friends_!

Letters of introduction should always be _unsealed_, and, as a rule, should relate only to the affairs of the bearer, not even pa.s.singly to those of the writer or his correspondent. When it is desirable to write what cannot, for any reason, be properly introduced into the open letter, a separate and _sealed_ communication may be written and sent, with a polite apology, or brief explanation, with the other.

When letters of introduction are delivered in person, they should be sent by the servant who admits you, together with your card, to the lady or gentleman to whom they are addressed, as the most convenient mode of announcing yourself, and the object of your visit.

When you do not find the person you wish to see, write your _temporary address_ upon your card, as "At the American Hotel"--"With Mrs. Henry, 22 Washington-st."--"At Hon. John Berkley's," etc. Should you _send_ your letter, accompany it by your card and _present_ address, and inclose both together in an envelope directed to the person for whom they are designed. When your stay is limited and brief, it is suitable to add upon your card, together with an accurate _date_--"For to-day,"

or, "To remain but two or three days." And in case of any explanation, or apology, or request being requisite, such as you would have made in a _personal_ interview, write _a note_, to be inclosed with the letter of presentation. Every omission of these courtesies that may occasion trouble, or inconvenience to others, is ill-bred, and may easily serve to prejudice strangers against you.

Sometimes it is well to make an appointment through the card you leave, or send, with a letter, or for a stranger whom you wish to meet, as--"At the Globe Hotel, _this evening_," with a date, or thus--"Will pay his respects to Mrs. ----, to-morrow morning, with her permission."

A letter introducing a young man, still "unknown to fame," to a lady of fashion, or of distinguished social position, may be expressed somewhat in this manner: