Footnotes:

Be careful to remember that it is unsuitable to commence a communication to anentire strangeran official letter, or one of ceremony, in reply to a gentleman acting in the name of a committee, etc., etc., with "Dear Sir." This familiarity is wholly out of place under such circumstances, and it is matter of surprise that our public men so frequently fall into it, even in addressing public functionaries representing foreign countries here, etc. In this respect, as in many others, their "quality," as that most discerning satirist,Punch, has recently said of the style of one of our men in high office—is not "strained!" The veterans of Diplomatic or of Congressional life should let us see that practice has refined their style of speaking and writing, rather than remind us that they have come to theleesof intellect!

I have, for several years past, remarked the published letters of one of the distinguished men of the Empire State, as models of graceful rhetoric and good taste. I refer now, not to the political opinions they may have expressed, but to theirliterary execution. They indicate the pen of genius—no matter what the occasion—whether declining to break ground for a canal, to lay the corner-stone of a university, acknowledging a public serenade, or expounding a political dogma, a certain indescribable something always redeems them alike from common-place ideas, and from inelegance of language. See if your newspaper profundity will enable you to "guess" the name of the individual to whom I refer.

Diplomatic Lettersrequire a style peculiar to themselves, in relation to which it would be the height of temerity in me to adventure even a hint. The Public Documents of our own country and of England, afford models for those of you who shall have occasion for them, as members of the "Corps Diplomatique."

Letters of Friendship and Affectionmust, of course, vary in style with the occasions and the correspondents that elicit them. A light, easy, playful style is most appropriate. And one should aim rather at correctness of diction than at anything like an elaborate parade of language.

Grammatical inaccuraciesandvulgarismsareneverallowable among educated people, whether in speaking or writing; nor isdefective spellingexcusable.

Punctuationand attention to the general rules of composition should not be overlooked, as thus only can unmistakable intelligibleness be secured.

Avoid all ambitious pen-flourishes, and attempts at ornamental caligraphy, and aim at the acquisition of a legible, neat, gentleman-like hand, and a pure, manly, expressive style, in this most essential of all forms of composition.

The possession of excellence in this accomplishment will enable you to disseminate high social and domestic pleasure. Nothing affords so gratifying a solace to friends, when separated, as the reception of those tokens of remembrance and regard. They only who have wandered far, far away from the tiesof country, friends, and home, can fully appreciate the delight afforded by the reception of letters of a satisfactory character. And the welcome assurances of the safety, health, and happiness of the absent and loved, is the best consolation of home-friends.

Practice,patience, andtact, are equally essential to the acquisition of ease and grace in this desirable art.Wit,humor, andplayfulnessare its proper embellishments, andvarietyshould characterize its themes. A certainegotism, too, is not only pardonable, but absolutely requisite, and may even become delicately complimentary to the recipient of one's confidence.

Let me remind you, too, that—though "offence ofspokenwords" may be excused by the excitement of passing feeling—the deliberate commission of unkind, or, worse still, of unjust, untruthful, injurious language, to paper, argues an obliquity of moral vision little likely to secure the writer either

"What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy,Thesoul's calm sunshine,"

or the respect and regard of others.

Facility in writing familiar letters may be increased by the habit ofmentallyrecording, before inditing them, as opportunity affords material, such incidents of travel, items of personal interest, or gossiping intelligence, etc., as may be thought best suited to the tastes of your correspondents. And it is well, before closing such communications, not only to glance over them to satisfy yourself of theirfreedom from mistakes, but by that means to recall any omission occasioned by forgetfulness.

Notes ofInvitation, ofAcceptance, andRegret, require, of course, brevity and simplicity of expression. Theprevailing modeof the society you are connected with, is usually the proper guide in relation to these matters of form, for the time being. Thus the mere formula of social life at Washington, Boston, Charleston, Paris, or St. Petersburg, may be somewhat varied, asusagealone frequently determines these niceties, and all eccentricities and peculiarities in this respect, as in most others, are in bad taste. Cards, or Notes, of Invitation to Dinners and Soirées, are frequently printed, and merely names and dates supplied in writing. The example of thebest society(in the most elevated sense of that much-abused phrase) everywhere, sanctions only the most unpretending mode of expression and general style, for such occasions. The utmost beauty and exquisiteness of finish in the merematerial, but the absence of all pretentious ornament, is thought most unexceptionable.

Invitations to Dinnershould be acknowledged at your earliest convenience, and—whether accepted or declined—in courteously ceremonious phraseology. In the instance of invitations[12]to Balls and Evening-Parties, Weddings, etc., haste is not so essential; but a seasonable reply to such civilities should by no means be neglected.

When you wish to take a friend—who is a stranger to the hostess—with you to an evening entertainment, and are upon sufficiently established terms with her to make it quite proper to do so, acknowledge your invitation at once, and request permission to take your friend—thus affording an opportunity, if it is requisite, for the return of an invitation enclosed to you for your proposed companion. Some form like the following will answer the purpose:

Mr. Thomas Brown has the honor to acceptMrs. Mason's very polite invitation for next Thursday evening.With Mrs. Mason's permission, Mr. Brown will be accompanied by his friend, Mr. Crawford, of Cincinnati, who is at present temporarily in New York.Carlton House,Monday morning, December 28th.

Mr. Thomas Brown has the honor to acceptMrs. Mason's very polite invitation for next Thursday evening.

With Mrs. Mason's permission, Mr. Brown will be accompanied by his friend, Mr. Crawford, of Cincinnati, who is at present temporarily in New York.

Carlton House,Monday morning, December 28th.

Carlton House,

Monday morning, December 28th.

Among intimate friends, it is sometimes most courteous, whendeclining an invitation, in place of a mere formal "regret" to indite a less ceremonious note, briefly explanatory, or apologetic.Essentialgood-breedingis the best guide in these occasional deviations fromceremonious rules.

Formal notes of invitation, and the like, should not be addressed to several persons inclusively. Of course, a gentleman and his wife are invited in this inclusive way, as are the unmarried sisters of a family, when residing in the same house; but visitors to one's friends, a married lady and her daughters, as well as the younger gentlemen of a family, should, severally, have separate notes, directed to them individually, where ceremony is requisite, though all may, for convenience, be enclosed in the same envelope, with a general direction to the elder lady of the house.

Letters, or notes, commenced in thethird person, should be continued throughout in the same form. It is obviously incorrect (though of frequent occurrence), to adopt such phraseology as—"Mr. Small presents his compliments to Miss Jones," etc., and to conclude with "Yours respectfully, G. Small." This mode of expression (the third person), is only adapted to brief communications of a formal nature. Noaddress and signatureare required when the names of the recipient and of the writer are introduced into the body of the note, as they necessarily are. The place of residence (if written), and the date, are placed at the left hand side of the paper,belowthe principal contents.

Letters designed to be mailed—such as are written to persons living at a distance from your own place of residence—should have your propermail addresslegibly written on the right hand side of your sheet,abovethe rest of the communication, together with the date.

Notes addressed to persons residing in the same place with yourself, require only the name of the street you reside in, and your number, with theday of the week—as "Clinton Place, Thursday P. M.," or, "No. 6 Great JonesSt., Monday morning"—which is usually placed below the other portions of the missive. It is usual to writeshort notes of ceremonyso as to have the few lines composing them inthe middleof the small sheet used.

Forms of signature and address vary in accordance with the general tenor of letters. When they are of an entirely ceremonious character, or addressed to superiors, usage requires an elaborate address and subscription; but the style of familiar epistles permits throughout every variety of language that good taste and good feeling may invent or sanction. Only let there be a general harmony in your compositions. Do not fall into the inadvertency of the person who addressed a missive full of the most tender expressions of regard to his mistress, and signed it—"Yours respectfully, Clark, Smith & Co."

Legibility,Intelligibility, andAccuracyare requisite in thedirectionof all epistolary compositions.

Correct taste demands some attention to the subject ofWriting-Materials. It is now becoming the practice to use small-sized paper for communications of ceremony and friendship, continuing the contents through several sheets, if necessary, and numberingeach in proper succession. It is, also, usual to write ceremonious letters on but one side of a sheet, and to leave a wide margin upon the left hand side, and a narrower one on the opposite edge of the paper.

The finest, smoothest paper should always be used, except for mere business matters; and, though some passing fashion may sanction tinted paper, pure white is always unexceptionable. All fancy ornaments, colored designs, etc., etc., are in questionable taste. If ornamental bordering, or initial lettering is adopted, the most chaste and unpretending should be preferred.

Except formailing, envelopes should correspond exactly with the sheet inclosed. Envelopes sent by post should be strong and large-sized. Sometimes it is well to re-enclose a small envelope, corresponding with the written sheet, in a large, firm cover, and to write the full direction upon that.

Sealing wax should always be used for closing all epistles, except those of an entirely business nature.Stampsandsealsmay vary with taste. A plain form with an unbroken face, suffices; or initials, a device and motto, one or both; or hereditary heraldic designs may be preferred.

Letters intended to go by mail on the continent of Europe, should be written on a single, large sheet ofthinpaper, andnot enveloped.

It is as ill-bred not to reply to a communication requiring an acknowledgment, or to neglect proper attention to all the several matters of importance towhich it relates, as it is not to answer a question directly and personally addressed to you.

Promptitudeis also demanded by good-breeding, in this regard. Necessity only can excuse the impoliteness of subjecting a friend, or business-correspondent, to inconvenience or anxiety, occasioned by delay in replying to important letters.

Tyros in epistolary composition may derive advantage from noting the peculiar excellences of the published letters of celebrated authors and others; not for the purpose of servile imitation, but as affording useful general models, or guides. Miscellaneous readers may note the genial humor and patient elaborateness characterizing the letters of the "Great Unknown," the felicities of expression sometimes observable in the familiar missives of Byron, and of his friend Tom Moore (when the latter is not writing to his much-put-upon London publisher for table-supplies, etc.!) amuse himself with the gossiping capacity for details exhibited by those of Horace Walpole, and con, with wondering admiration, the epistolary illustrations of the well-disciplined, thoroughly-balanced character of the great American model, of whose writings it may always be said—whether an "order," written on a drum-head, or the draught of a document involving the interests of all humanity is the subject—that they are "well done."

Among the collections of letters I remember to have read, none now occur to me as offering more variety of style than those included in the "Memoirs of H. More." They are a little old-fashioned now,perhaps; but some of them, both for matter and manner, are, in their way, unsurpassed in English literature. Some of those ofSir W. W. Pepys, I recollect as peculiarly pleasing.

Several of the published letters of Dr. Johnson, and one or two of those of our own Franklin, are to be regarded as among the curiosities of literature, rather than as precedents which circumstances will ever render available, or desirable. Johnson's celebrated letter to Lord Chesterfield, declining his proffered patronage, for instance—and Franklin's, concluding with the witty sarcasm—

"You are now my enemy, and I am"Yours,B. Franklin.

At some future time, perhaps, the literary treasures of our country will be enriched by specimens of the correspondence of such of our contemporaries as inspire the highest admiration for their general style of composition. Who could fail to peruse with interest, letters from the pen of Prescott, who never makes even such a physical infirmity as his, a plea for inaccuracy, or carelessness of expression? And who would not hail with delight any draught presented by the bounteous hand of Irving, from,

"The well of English undefiled,"

whence he himself has long quaffed the highest inspiration!

"There they are!" shouted James.

"Here they come!" exclaimed Miss Mary Marston.

"They have made good time, the lazy dogs, for once!" said I.

"Oh, I'm so glad!" echoed the silvery cadences of Nettie Brown, who seemed about to dance to the music of her own merry voice.

"I hope"——began the dove-like murmur of a fair invalid: she ceased, and her dewy eyes told all she would have said.

"God grant us good news!" said our venerablecompagnon de voyage, fervently, a shade of anxiety clouding his usually benignant countenance.

"Ladies, excuse me! I beg you to remember that they may not bring anything—let me prepare you for a disappointment!" These words were uttered, with apparent reluctance, by a young man, whose pale face and dark melancholy eyes seemed to lend almost prophetic emphasis to his warning tones.

Nettie ceased to clap her little hands; "Jovial James" looked as grave as his usually rollicking, fun-twinkling eyes permitted; the stately Mary could only look fixedly towards the approaching Arabs, the serenity of our patriarchal friend was more than ever disturbed; sweet Isidore grew marble pale, and leaned heavily back upon the sculptured pillar against which we had secured her camp-seat, and your uncle Hal—well! he is a "proverbial philosopher," you know!

There we were, amid the solemn magnificence of the ruined palaces and temples of once-mighty Thebes.

Our little party was gathered in front of the great Propylon of the famous Temple of Luxor, whose mysterious grandeur we had come many thousands of miles to behold. Massive pillars, covered with minutely-finished picture-writing and mystic hieroglyphics, sufficient for the life-long study of the curious student; enormous architraves, half-buried colossi, far-reaching colonnades, "grand, gloomy and peculiar;" the world-famed Memnon; the grim, tomb-hallowed mountains—all the wonders of the Nile, ofEl Uksorein, of Karnac, surrounded us!

But humiliating reflections upon the mutability of human greatness and human power, the eager speculations of the disciples of Champollion, sarcophagi and sculptured ceilings, and scarabæi and Sesostris, alike sunk into matters of insignificance and indifference when compared with the expectation ofLetters from Home!

That most amiable and hospitable of Mussulmans, Mustapha Aga,the traveller's friend, had engaged the Sheik (heaven spare the mark!) of one of the squalid Arab villages, whose mud walls cluster upon the roofs of the grand halls and porticoes of ancient Thebes—reminding one ofanimalculœby comparison—to accompany my servant and one ortwo of our dusky satellites to a point in the vicinity, to which the American and English consuls at Cairo had engaged to forward our letters, etc.

Our motley band of couriers was now seen advancing along the low bank of the river, and all was eager anticipation and impatience.

The ceremony of distribution was speedily accomplished, and an observer of the scene, like our calm, silent host, the kindly Mustapha, might almost read the contents of the different letters of the several members of our little group reflected in the faces of each.

"Jovial James" sunk down at once at the feet of the fair Nettie, who had sacrilegiously seated herself upon the edge of an open sarcophagus, with a lap full of treasures, before which her hoarded antiques—and she was the most indefatigablecollectorof our corps—relapsed again into the nothingness from which her admiration had, for a time, redeemed them. Something very much like a tear glistened in the bright eyes of the frolicksome youth as he murmured, half-unconsciously "Mother," and sunshine and shadow played in quick succession over the mirroring features of the fair girl.

The usually placid Mary Marston fairly turning her back upon us, beat a retreat towards a prostrate column andhalf-concealed herself among its crumbling fragments; and our sweet, fast-fading flower, for whose comfort each vied with the other, the beautiful Isidore, clasped her triple prizes between herslight palms, and folding them to her meek bosom, lifted her soft eyes toward the heaven that looked alike on Egypt and on her native land, and whispered "Home!Oh, father take meHome!"

"Not one word does Frank say aboutremittances—the most important of all subjects!" cried James, with his elbows on his knees, and a half-filled sheet held out before him in both hands. "He is the most provoking fellow!—just look, Nettie, how much blank paper, too, sent all the way from Manhattan Island to Upper Egypt," he added, with a serio-comic tap on the paper.

"Good enough for you!" retorted his frequent tormentor; "you wouldn't write from Rome to him, as I begged you to"——

"But, most amiable MissConsolation 'on a monument, smiling at grief,' don't you recollect thatyoufavored him with three 'great big' sheets, crammed, crossed, and kissed"——

"Do go away, James Wilson! you are a regularsquatter, as they say at home; really, if you are not established on my skirt!" laughed his merry companion, reddening, however, at his skillful sally.

James, well used to repulses, made not even a pretence of removing his quarters; but, tracing with his forefinger in the sand, began to tease his pretty neighbor for news from home, protesting thatmenwere the poorest letter-writers, and thathiscorrespondents in particular,never said anything!

But what had become of the thoughtful friendwhose warning voice had checked too eager expectation in his companions, whilst

——"thou, oh Hope, with eyes so fair,"

made wild tumult in each eager breast? I marked his face, as he stood apart from the excited group gathered about the bearer of our dispatches. It was almost as immobile and coldly calm as those of the polished colossi around us, save for the burning eyes that seemed actually to devour the several directions that were glanced over, or read aloud by others. His hands, too, were tightly clutched, as though he were thus self-sustained.—Poor fellow! I had frequently noticed his manner before, where the happiness of others arrested attention; it indicated, to me, a serenity like that of the expiring hero who waved his life-draught to another, hiding, with a smile, the outward signs of tortured nature! Almost before the last package was unfolded, he was advancing with rapid strides along the majestic avenue leading from our stand-point towards the ruins of Karnac, and was soon lost to sight amid its massive ornaments. How easily might some friendly hand have shed balm upon his sad and solitary spirit, on that memorable day in far-off Nile-Land, when so many hearts were gladdened with the sweet sunlight enkindled byletters!—so many faces illumined with smiles reflected from the ever-glowing altars ofCountryandHome!

Sir Walter Scott, as his son-in-law informed me, despite the vast amount of intellectual labor he otherwise imposed upon himself, with as little flinching, apparently, as though his mind were a powerful self-regulating steam-engine, had the habit ofalways answering letters on the day of their reception! Mr. Lockhart told me that, during the researches he made among the private papers of his immortal friend, while preparing materials for his biography, he almost invariably remarked, from the careful notations upon them, that when any delay had occurred in replying to a letter, it arose from the necessity of some previous investigation, or the like. My astonishment upon perusing the long, elaborately-written epistles that Mr. Lockhart subsequently gave to the world, was augmented by my knowledge of this fact, and by my remembrance of the innumerable demands made upon his time by social and public duties. But "we ne'er shall look on his like again!" Well might his pen be styled the wand of the mighty Wizard of the North.

A gentle tap at the library-door interrupted the after-dinner chat of my old friend and myself. A fair young face presented itself in answer to the bidding of my host, and, upon seeing me was quickly withdrawn.

"Come in, my daughter, come—what will you have?"

I rose immediately to withdraw, as the young lady, thus encouraged, somewhat timidly advanced towards her father.

"Pray, do not disturb yourself, Colonel Lunettes," said she; "I only want to speak to pa one moment; don't think of going away, I beg"——

My host, too, interposed to prevent my leaving the room, and I, therefore, took up a book and re-seated myself.

"Excuse me for interrupting you, pa, but may I"—here a whisper, and then so audibly that I could not help overhearing—"do please, dear pa!"

"Well, we'll see about it—when is the concert?" rang out the clear voice of the father.

"But, pa, I ought to answer the note to-night or very early to-morrow morning—it would not be polite to keep Mr. Blakeman"——

"A note, eh?" interrupted the old gentleman, "let me see it—go bring it to me."

I thought I could not be mistaken in the indication of reluctance to obey this direction evinced by the slow step of my usually sprightly-motioned young favorite.

"Come, Fanny, come," said her father, when she re-entered, "you have no objection to showingme"——

"Oh, no, indeed, pa,—but you are so critical," the young lady began to protest.

"Critical! am I though!" exclaimed the parent, with some vivacity, "perhaps so—at least I judge somewhat, of a man's claims to the acquaintance ofmy daughter by these things." And, adjusting his spectacles, he opened the note his daughter offered. "Bless my soul!" he cried, at the first glance, "what bright-colored paper, and how many grand flourishes—really, my dear!" There was a brief silence and then the father said mildly, but firmly, "Fanny, I prefer that you should not accept this invitation."

"Will you tell me why, pa?"

"Because the writer is not agentleman! No man of taste and refinement would write such a note as this to a lady, with whom he has only the ceremonious acquaintance that this young man has with you. He is evidentlyilliterate, too,—his note is not only inelegantly expressed, but it is mis-spelled"——

"Oh, pa"——

"I assure you it is so. Your own education is more defective than it should be with the advantages you have had, if you cannot perceive this—read it again, and tell me what word is mis-spelled," said her father, returning the production under discussion to Fanny.

The young lady sat down by the lamp to con the task assigned her, and my host said to me—"It is unpardonable, now-a-days, for a young man to be ignorant in such matters as these. Whenwewere young, Hal, the means of acquiring knowledge generally, were limited by circumstances; but who that wishes, lacks them at present?—Well, my daughter"——

"Yes, pa, I see,—of course it was a mere slip of the pen"——

"A slip of the pen!" retorted the father, "and is that a sufficient excuse? Proper respect will teach a young man of right feelings towards your sex, to take good care that no such carelessness retains a place in his first billet to a lady—it is anindication of character, my child! Depend upon it, that the man who writes in this way,—encircling some of his words with a flourish, abbreviating others, mis-spelling, and all upon mottled paper, with a highlyornateborder, does not understand himself, and will be guilty of other solecisms in good manners and good taste, that will be very likely to embarrass and shock a young lady accustomed to"——

"The society ofgentlemen of the old school, like pa and Col. Lunettes!" exclaimed Fanny, in her usual laughing manner, snatching up the condemned missive, and flying out of the room.

In the course of the evening, my old friend and I joined the ladies in the drawing-room.

A merry group around a centre-table, attracted me, and as the fair Fanny made a place beside her agreeable little self for me, I was soon settled to my satisfaction in the midst of the fair bevy.

"What are you all so busy about?" I inquired, as I seated myself.

"Oh, criticising!" cried one.

"Acquiring knowledge under difficulties," replied another.

"Accomplishing ourselves in the Art Epistolary, by the study of models!" returned a third.

And sure enough,—the table was strewed withcards, and notes, and an empty fancy-basket told where these sportive critics had obtained their materials. I soon gathered that the scrutiny Fanny's note had undergone in the library, was the moving cause of this sudden resuscitation of defunct billet-doux and forgotten cards.

"Only look at this one, Col. Lunettes!" exclaimed a pretty girl opposite me, handing across a visiting card, with the name written with ink, in rather cramped characters, and surrounded with a variety of awkward attempts at ornamental flourishes. "Isn't that sufficient to condemn the perpetrator to 'durance vile' in theparadise of fools?"

"Well, here is a beautiful note, at any rate," exclaimed the eldest daughter of the house, "even papa would not find fault with this"—

"What are you saying about papa?" inquired the master of the mansion, pausing in his walk up and down the room, and leaning upon the back of his daughter's chair.

"Won't you join us, sir?" returned the young lady, making a motion to rise; "let me give you my seat."

"No, no, sit still, child—let us hear the note that you think unexceptionable."

"It is as simple as possible," said she, "but though it only relates to a matter of business, I remember noticing, when I opened it, the elegant writing and"——

"Well, let us hear it, my daughter."

Thus impelled, the fair reader began:

"Henry Wynkoop presents his respectful compliments to Miss Campbell, and begs leave to inform her that the goods for which she inquired, a few days since, have arrived, and are now ready for her inspection."240 Main St.Wednesday Morning, May 22d."

"240 Main St.Wednesday Morning, May 22d."

"240 Main St.

Wednesday Morning, May 22d."

"I should have said," added Miss Campbell, "that I had simply requested Mr. Wynkoop to send me word about some shawls, when any of the family happened in there, and did not think of troubling him to send a note."

"Let me see," said her father, taking the paper from her hand, "yes! just what one might expect from that young fellow—fine, handsome, plain paper [a glance at poor Fanny] and a neat modest seal—all becausea ladywas in question; and one can read the writing as if it were print. Look at it, Lunettes! A promising young merchant—a friend of ours, here. Aneducatedmerchant—what every man should be, who wishes to succeed in mercantile life in this country."

"Yes," returned I, "ours is destined, if I do not greatly mistake, to be a land ofmerchant princes, like Venice of old, and I quite agree with you that American merchants should beeducated gentlemen!"

"This young Wynkoop," continued my friend, "is destined yet to fill some space in the world's eye, unless I have lost my power to judge of men. Heseems to find time for everything—the other evening he was here—(the girls had some young friends)—and, happening to step into the library, I found him standing with one of the book-cases open, and just reaching down a volume—'I beg your pardon, sir, if I intrude,' said he, 'but I was going to look for a passage in the "Deserted Village," as I am not so fortunate as to possess a copy of Goldsmith.' Of course I assured him that the books were all at his service, and apologized for closing the door, and seating myself at my desk, saying that a rascally Canadian lawyer had sent me a letter so badly written that I could scarcely puzzle it out, and that his bad French was almost unintelligible at that. I confess I was surprised when he offered to assist me, saying very modestly, that nothing was more confusing thanpatoisto the uninitiated, but that he had chanced to have some experience in it. So he helped me out very cleverly, in spite of my protestations at his losing so much time, and when he found he could not aid me farther, looked up his lines, put back my book, and quietly bowing, slipped out of the room. When I went back to the girls, later in the evening, I heard my young friend singing with some lady, in a fine clear voice, and, soon after, discovered him in another room dancing, 'money musk' with my own wife for his partner!"

While this little sketch was in progress of narration, the inspection of the miscellaneous display upon the table had been silently progressing. And each pretty critic had made some discovery.

"Here is a 'regret' sent for the other night," said Fanny, "what do you think of that, Col. Lunettes?" And a large sheet of note paper was put into my hand, clumsily folded, and containing only the words "Mr. Augustus Simpkin regrets."

"A good deal is left for the imagination," I replied, "regrets what?"

"That he is a numskull, perhaps, but I fear there is not that encouragement for his improvement!" broke in the Chairman of this Committee of Investigation.

The general laugh that followed this spicy comment had no sooner subsided, than another note caught my eye, by its handsome penmanship. Glancing it over, I handed it to one of the young ladies without comment. She 'looked unutterable things,' as she quietly refolded the missive, and was about to slip it out of sight; but the dancing eyes of the lively Fanny had caught the whole movement, and she insisted upon what she calledfair play. So the paper was again subjected to perusal—this time aloud.

Baltimore,July 24, '61."William Jones takes this means of making an apology for not calling for Miss Mary last evening. I assure you no offence was intended, and hope you did not take it so."Yours affectionately,"P. William Jones."TheMiss Campbells."

Baltimore,July 24, '61.

"William Jones takes this means of making an apology for not calling for Miss Mary last evening. I assure you no offence was intended, and hope you did not take it so.

"Yours affectionately,"P. William Jones.

"TheMiss Campbells."

"How did that get into the card-basket?" exclaimed Miss Campbell, in consternation, "it ought to have been destroyed at the time"——

"It has risen up in judgment against the writer now," said Fanny, "but he is much improved since then. He knows better now than to say 'theMiss Campbells', or"——

"Or sign himself 'Yours affectionately,' to a document commenced in the third person. So he does, child, and he proved himself essentially polite by writing the note—the hand is really very commendable. I have no doubt the young man will yet acquire considerablenote-ability!" And throwing the tell-tale paper into the fire, the charitable commentator proceeded in his walk.

"A propos"—"A propos" was echoed round the merry circle, as a servant handed a note to Miss Campbell.

"Miss Fanny Campbell," read her sister, and resigned the billet to its rightful owner.

Every one protested that it should be common property, unless its contents were a secret; and the blushing, half-pouting beauty was constrained to open and inspect her note where she sat.

"I insist uponfair playin Miss Fanny's case, also," said I, coming to the rescue, "and shall do myself the honor of acting as her champion." With that I spread out her gossamer handkerchief, and throwing it over the top of my cane, affected to screen the rosy face beside me. Taking advantage of myruse, my pretty favorite opened her note, and,partly retreating behind my broad shoulder, soon possessed herself of its contents.

"There," said she, throwing it into the middle of the table, "you may all read it and welcome!"

Brown heads and black, sunny curls and chestnut "bands," were immediately clustered together over the prize, and Fanny, springing away, like a bird, was, in a moment, perched on an arm of the large chair in which her father was now ensconced, with her arm around his neck, and her beaming eyes glancing out from his snowy locks.

"Let Colonel Lunettes see it, you rude creatures!" exclaimed my lively favorite, from her retreat, and the note was immediately presented to me. Wiping my glasses with deliberation suitable to the occasion, I "pressed my hand upon my throbbing heart," and read as follows:

"It will afford Mr. Howard Parkman great pleasure to attend Miss Fanny Campbell to a Concert to be given by the "Hungarian Family," to-morrow evening."If she will permit him that honor, Mrs. and Miss Parkman, accompanied by Mr. P., will call for Miss Campbell at half past seven o clock."Coleman St.,"Tuesday P. M."

"It will afford Mr. Howard Parkman great pleasure to attend Miss Fanny Campbell to a Concert to be given by the "Hungarian Family," to-morrow evening.

"If she will permit him that honor, Mrs. and Miss Parkman, accompanied by Mr. P., will call for Miss Campbell at half past seven o clock.

"Coleman St.,"Tuesday P. M."

"Coleman St.,

"Tuesday P. M."

"That's another rival for you, Colonel Lunettes," exclaimed one of the girls.

"I fear my doom is sealed!" returned the oldsoldier thus addressed, with an air of mock resignation. "But who is this formidable youth, Miss Campbell?"

"A Bostonian, I believe," replied the young lady; "cousin Charley introduced him to us at Mrs. Gay's ball the other evening, and asked us to call upon his mother and sister—they are friends of his. He was here this morning with cousin Charley, but we were out."

"How stylish!" said one of our critical circle, re-examining the elegant billet of the stranger.

"Quiteau fait, too, you see, young ladies," I added, "he invites Miss Fanny to go with a properchaperonto the concert, as he is so slightly acquainted with her."

As I limped across the room towards them, I heard my friend say to his daughter, who still retained her seat, "certainly, unless you prefer to go with Mr. Blakeman."

"Oh, pa!" protested the sweet girl, "but what excuse shall I make to Mr. Blakeman?"

"Tell him, in terms, that your father does not permit you to go anywhere, alone, with a young man with whom he has no acquaintance—Lunettes, you're not going?" rising as he spoke.

"It is high time—my carriage must be waiting. Miss Fanny, permit me the privilege of an old friend,"—kissing her glowing cheek—and, as she skipped out into the hall with her father and me, I whispered—"About this young Bostonian? Is it all over with him?"

"What, Hal—jealous?" exclaimed her father, laughing—"do you fear the flight of our gazelle, here?"

"No danger of my eloping! No, indeed! at least with any one except—Colonel Lunettes!" replied the charming little witch, as her nimble fingers fastened my wrappings.

"Bravo!" cried her father; "that would be glorious! Seventeen and"——

"Eighty-two," interrupted your old uncle; "May and December! But, happily for me, fair Fanny,my heartcan never grow old while I have the happiness of knowing you."

I hope none of you will ever, even when writing in a foreign language, fall into the mistake made by a young Pole, with whom I once had a slight acquaintance. He was paying his addresses to a young lady, and, while most assiduously making his court to the fair object of his passion, was temporarily separated from her, by her leaving home on a pleasure excursion. At the first stopping-place of her party, the lady found a letter awaiting her, written in the neatest manner, and in excellent English—which her loverspokein averyimperfect manner. It appeared to the recipient of this complimentary effusion, however, at the first glance, that its contents were not especially relevant to the occasion of a firstbillet-douxfrom her admirer. Reading itmore deliberately, something familiar in the language struck her suddenly, and after pondering a moment, she turned over the leaves of a new book which was among the literary stores of our travelling-party, and soon came to the exact counterpart of passage after passage, as recorded in the letter of the gallant Pole!

The volume was, I think, "Hannah More's Memoirs," which had probably been recommended to the young student of our language by his teacher, or some friend, as containing goodspecimens of the epistolary style!

With the hope that you may all escape being the subjects of such merriment as was occasioned by the discovery of my fair friend, I remain, as ever,

Affectionately yours,Harry Lunettes.

Footnotes:[8]Always be scrupulously careful to givetitles, and with accuracy. The proper designation of agentlemannot 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 properabbreviationsfor these titles. In writing the address of a letter, it is desirable to know theChristianname 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 aMinisterrepresenting 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 aChargé d'Affaires, or Consul, etc., varies with their respective offices. AChargé d'Affairesis sometimes familiarly spoken of as "Our Chargé," at such a Court—or as the "American Chargé."A clergyman may be addressed as "Rev. Mr.——," if you do not know the first name, orinitial, 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 titles, 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 theslow promotionhe has attained isunknown to his friends![9]It is etiquette to address communications to a lady according to the style she adopts forher card. Thus, the elder of two married ladies, bearing the same name and of the same family, may properly designate herself simply as Mrs. ——, without any Christian name (her position in society and the addition upon her card, of herlocalebeing supposed sufficient to identify her). The wives of her youngest brother, or those of her sons, are then "Mrs. N. C. ——," "Mrs. Charles ——," and so on. The eldest of a family of sisters is, "Miss ——," the younger are "Miss Nellie ——," "Miss Julia ——," etc. In writing to, or conversing with them, you thus individualize them. But when you are upon ceremonious terms with them,in the absence of the elder,you address one of the younger sisters, with whom you are conversing, as "Miss ——," only, omitting the individualizing Christian name. Of course, when writing under such circumstances, a note of ceremony designed for the young ladies of a family, collectively, should be addressed to "The Misses——;" and if for one of them, alone, to "Miss ——," or, "Miss Mary G. ——," as the case may be.[10]This reminds me of another habit that is becoming prevalent in thisnewland of ours—that of men's entering themselves upon the Registers of Hotels, Ocean Steamers, etc., as "M. A. Timeson andlady!" or, "Mr. G. Simpson andwife." What can possibly be the objection to the good old established form of "Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Timeson," or "George and Mrs.Simpson," or "Mr. G. Simpson. Mrs. and the Misses Simpson?"[11]Persons belonging to the Army and Navy use their full titles, with the addition of "U.S.A.," or "U.S.N."[12]I was somewhat surprised lately, in perusing an agreeable novel, written by one of our countrywomen, to observe her use of the word "ticket" as synonymous withinvitation, orcard of invitation. A "ticket" admits one to a concert, the opera, or theatre but one receives an "invitation," or "card of invitation" to a dinner, ball, or evening-party, at a friend's house. All misnomers of this kind savor of under-breeding—they arevulgarisms, in short, unsanctioned either by taste or fashion.

[8]Always be scrupulously careful to givetitles, and with accuracy. The proper designation of agentlemannot 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 properabbreviationsfor these titles. In writing the address of a letter, it is desirable to know theChristianname 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 aMinisterrepresenting 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 aChargé d'Affaires, or Consul, etc., varies with their respective offices. AChargé d'Affairesis sometimes familiarly spoken of as "Our Chargé," at such a Court—or as the "American Chargé."A clergyman may be addressed as "Rev. Mr.——," if you do not know the first name, orinitial, 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 titles, 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 theslow promotionhe has attained isunknown to his friends!

"To the"Right Rev. Alonzo Potter, D. D."

"To the

"Right Rev. Alonzo Potter, D. D."

The proper address of aMinisterrepresenting 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 aChargé d'Affaires, or Consul, etc., varies with their respective offices. AChargé d'Affairesis sometimes familiarly spoken of as "Our Chargé," at such a Court—or as the "American Chargé."

A clergyman may be addressed as "Rev. Mr.——," if you do not know the first name, orinitial, 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 titles, 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 theslow promotionhe has attained isunknown to his friends!

[9]It is etiquette to address communications to a lady according to the style she adopts forher card. Thus, the elder of two married ladies, bearing the same name and of the same family, may properly designate herself simply as Mrs. ——, without any Christian name (her position in society and the addition upon her card, of herlocalebeing supposed sufficient to identify her). The wives of her youngest brother, or those of her sons, are then "Mrs. N. C. ——," "Mrs. Charles ——," and so on. The eldest of a family of sisters is, "Miss ——," the younger are "Miss Nellie ——," "Miss Julia ——," etc. In writing to, or conversing with them, you thus individualize them. But when you are upon ceremonious terms with them,in the absence of the elder,you address one of the younger sisters, with whom you are conversing, as "Miss ——," only, omitting the individualizing Christian name. Of course, when writing under such circumstances, a note of ceremony designed for the young ladies of a family, collectively, should be addressed to "The Misses——;" and if for one of them, alone, to "Miss ——," or, "Miss Mary G. ——," as the case may be.

[10]This reminds me of another habit that is becoming prevalent in thisnewland of ours—that of men's entering themselves upon the Registers of Hotels, Ocean Steamers, etc., as "M. A. Timeson andlady!" or, "Mr. G. Simpson andwife." What can possibly be the objection to the good old established form of "Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Timeson," or "George and Mrs.Simpson," or "Mr. G. Simpson. Mrs. and the Misses Simpson?"

[11]Persons belonging to the Army and Navy use their full titles, with the addition of "U.S.A.," or "U.S.N."

[12]I was somewhat surprised lately, in perusing an agreeable novel, written by one of our countrywomen, to observe her use of the word "ticket" as synonymous withinvitation, orcard of invitation. A "ticket" admits one to a concert, the opera, or theatre but one receives an "invitation," or "card of invitation" to a dinner, ball, or evening-party, at a friend's house. All misnomers of this kind savor of under-breeding—they arevulgarisms, in short, unsanctioned either by taste or fashion.

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