NEW CENTURYSTANDARDLETTER-WRITERfrontis"When about to put your words in ink,'Twill do no harm to stop and think."titlepageTHENEW CENTURYSTANDARDLETTER-WRITERBusiness, Family and Social CorrespondenceLove-Letters, Etiquette, SynonymsLegal Forms, Etc.How to Address the President, Members of the Cabinetand other High OfficialsBYAlfred B. Chambers,PH. D.Author of "The 20th Century Handy Cyclopedia Britannica."ILLUSTRATEDCHICAGOLAIRD & LEE, PUBLISHERSEntered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1900,by WILLIAM H. LEE,in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.TABLE OF CONTENTSPART I. BUSINESS INTERCOURSEPAGEChapter I—Commercial Correspondence17A.Introductory Remarks17B.Employer and Employe321.Applying for a situation in a corporation322.Applying for a position as bookkeeper323.Applying for a situation in answer to an advertisement334.Applying for a position in a wholesale house335.Applying for a position in a retail store346.A father applying for his son347.A mother asking a position for her son358.Applying for a position in a law-office359.Applying for a position as Clerk3610.Applying for a position as stenographer (lady)3611.Applying for a position as bookkeeper (lady)3712.Advertising for an office-boy3713.Reply to the above3814.Applying for a situation of office-boy3815.Applying for a position as hotel manager3816.Application to act as a firm's agent3917.Applying for a situation as matron in an asylum4018.Indorsing the above application4019.Introducing a young man about to start in business4120.General letter of recommendation to a former employe4121.Recommending a bookkeeper formerly employed4222.Asking permission to use a gentleman as reference4223.Asking information concerning a clerk4324.Asking former employers to act as references4325.Asking for an increase in salary4426.Thanking for an increase in salary4427.Asking for a vacation4528.Apologizing to employers4529.Excusing one's absence4630.Announcing death of husband to his employers4631.A commercial traveler to his employers4632.Another letter from a commercial traveler4733.Resignation from a position48C.Buying, Selling and Shipping Goods4834.Asking for an order list4835.Ordering bill of goods4936.Ordering goods and enclosing amount4937.Another order enclosing remittance5038.To a business firm inclosing invoice5039.To a private party, inclosing invoice5140.From a farmer to a commission house5141.From a farmer, shipping produce5242.Answer to the above5243.From a farmer to a manufacturing concern5344.From ranch-owners, shipping cattle5345.Answer to the above (with account sales)53-5546.Complaining of delay in delivery of goods5447.Complaining of delay to a freight line agency5648.Answer to No. 465649.Complaining of goods shipped by express instead of freight5750.Answer to the above57D.Credits and Business References5851.A new firm wishing to open an account5852.Answer to the above (favorable)5853.Answer to the above (unfavorable)5954.Asking for references5955.Asking a bank for confidential opinion6056.Answer to the above (favorable)6057.Answer to the above (unfavorable)6058.Asking a lawyer for a confidential opinion6159.Giving bearer a credit, guaranteed by writer6160.Inquiring as to business prospects62E.Accounts and Payments6261.Inclosing statement of account6262.Asking settlement of account6363.Asking firmly for settlement of overdue account6364.More pressing dunning letter6365.Inclosing a remittance6466.Inclosing draft for acceptance6467.Asking for time6568.To a retail customer requesting payment65F.Business Notices6569.Dissolution of partnership6570.Death of a partner6671.Change in the firm name6772.Recommending a successor6773.Notice of assignment68Chapter II—Semi-Private Business6974.A gentleman of leisure to his bank6975.A lady to her bank6976.To a landlord concerning repairs7077.Answer to the above7078.To a landlord complaining of neglect7079.Answer to the above7180.Making an offer for a furnished house7181.Asking a real estate firm to list a house7282.Asking for a list of houses for rent7283.Asking information about farms for sale7284.Asking house-decorators for an estimate7385.Asking for time to settle an account7386.Subscribing to a periodical, enclosing amount7487.Claiming lost baggage7488.To a dressmaker, about extravagant charges7489.To a dressmaker, postponing payment of bill7590.To a tailor7591.Applying for a position as teacher7592.Recommending a teacher7693.To a lawyer about a claim7694.To a lawyer, about a bill of costs77Chapter III—Private Business7895.Asking a friend to make a purchase7896.Asking a friend to visit furnished houses7897.Asking a friend to engage rooms7998.Requesting the attendance of a lawyer8099.Requesting the attendance of a physician80100.Asking a physician for his bill80101.Concerning an unpaid note endorsed by the writer80102.Requesting a loan from a friend81103.Answer to the above81104.Requesting a loan from a relative82105.Concerning a furnished country house82106.Answer to the above82107.Inquiry about farm-house board83108.Answer to the above83109.Inquiring about placing a sick child on a farm84110.Answer to the above85111.To a music teacher85112.Answer to the above85113.To an artist, about a portrait86114.Asking information about a school86115.Answer to the above86PART II. FAMILY CORRESPONDENCEChapter I—Introductory Remarks88Chapter II—Between Parents and Children92116.To a son entering business92117.To a father, offering to leave college92118.Answer to the above93119.To a mother, after first day in college94120.Answer to the above96121.A son excusing his extravagance97122.To a daughter on her birthday98123.A son expressing dislike of his occupation98124.A little boy to his papa99125.A little boy to his grandfather99126.A little boy to his uncle100127.A little boy at school to his sister100128.A little girl at school to her mamma100129.A little girl to her absent mother101130.A little girl on a visit, to her mamma101131.A little girl to her grandmamma101132.A little girl to her brother at school102Chapter III—To and from Relatives, Guardians, etc.103133.A mother-in-law to her son-in-law103134.A mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law103135.A daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law104136.A daughter-in-law to her father-in-law105137.A sister-in-law to a brother-in-law105138.A brother to a married sister106139.A sister to an elder brother107140.A niece to an aunt107141.Wishing Merry Christmas to a cousin108142.A ward to his guardian109143.Answer to the above109Chapter IV—To, from and about Governesses, Chaperons, Companions, Housekeepers, etc.110144.A governess applying for a position110145.Asking information concerning a governess110146.Recommending a governess111147.Answering an ad. for a chaperon111148.Answering an ad. for a companion112149.Replying to an ad. for a housekeeper113Chapter V—Servants114150.A housemaid applying for a situation114151.A housemaid accepting a situation114152.A housemaid declining a situation115153.Asking information concerning a maid115154.Answer to the above115155.Asking information concerning a cook115156.Answer to the above116157.Asking information concerning a butler116158.Answer to the above116159.A cook asking a lady to recommend her117160.A nurse to her absent mistress117161.Marriage proposal from a butler to a cook118162.Answer to the above118PART III. LOVE AND MARRIAGEChapter I—Proposals, Acceptances, Refusals119163.To a young lady about a misunderstanding119164.Answer to the above (kindly)119165.Answer to No. 163 (conciliatory)120166.Answer to No. 163 (chilly)120167.Asking a young lady for privilege of a correspondence120168.Answer to the above121169.Asking permission to address a young lady by her Christian name121170.Answer to the above122171.Asking a lady for an interview122172.Answer to the above123173.To a young lady proposing marriage123174.Answer to the above (favorable)124175.Answer to No. 173 (unfavorable)124176.Proposal to a lady the writer never was introduced to124177.Answer to the above (favorable)125178.Answer to No. 176 (unfavorable)126179.Proposal to a lady unaware of the writer's intentions126180.Answer to the above (favorable)127181.Answer to No. 178 (unfavorable)127182.Proposal to a lady to whom the writer showed marked attentions128183.Answer to the above128184.Proposal by a gentleman of small means129185.Answer to the above (favorable)130186.Answer to No. 184 (unfavorable)130187.Proposal from middle-aged gentleman to young lady131188.Answer to the above (favorable)132189.Answer to No.187 (unfavorable)132190.Proposal from widower to widow133191.Answer to the above133192.Proposal to a wealthy widow134193.Answer to the above (favorable)134194.Answer to 192 (unfavorable)135195.Proposal from widower to young lady135196.Answer to the above (favorable)136197.Answer to No. 195 (unfavorable)136198.Proposal from widower with grown-up daughters137199.Answer to above (favorable)138200.Answer to 198 (unfavorable)138201.Marriage proposal to an heiress139202.Answer to the above (favorable)139203.Answer to No. 201 (unfavorable)140Chapter II—To and from Parents, Guardians, Friends, etc., in Reference to Marriage Matters141204.Asking a father for his daughter's hand141205.Answer to the above (favorable)141206.Answer to No. 204 (unfavorable)142207.Another request to a father for his daughter's hand142208.Answer to the above143209.Asking a father's approval of his daughter's engagement to the writer144210.Answer to the above (favorable)144211.Answer to No.209 (unfavorable)145212.A gentleman asking his father's approval of his engagement145213.Answer to the above145214.A young lady asking her guardian to approve her engagement146215.Answer to the above147216.A father asking to be told a gentleman's intentions147217.Answer to the above148218.A father forbidding a gentleman to pay attentions to his daughter148219.Answer to the above149220.A father disapproving of a gentleman's attentions to his daughter149221.A mother announcing her daughter's engagement150222.Answer to the above150223.A young lady announcing her engagement151224.A young lady congratulating a friend just engaged151225.A gentleman announcing his engagement152226.A mother to her son's fiancée152227.Answer to the above153228.Congratulating a gentleman about his engagement153229.A fiancée asking a friend to be bridesmaid154Chapter III—Between Engaged People155230.A gentleman on being first accepted155231.A gentleman recently engaged to his fiancée155232.A gentleman offering a present to his fiancée156233.Answer to the above156234.A lady to her fiancé157235.A gentleman to his fiancée157236.Answer to the above158237.Another letter from a gentleman to his fiancée159238.Answer to the above159239.Asking his fiancée to name the day161240.Answer to the above (favorable)161241.Answer to No. 239 (unfavorable)162242.A lady asking her fiancé to consent to a postponement of their wedding-day162243.A gentleman to his fiancée, complaining of her coldness163244.A lady to her fiancé, complaining of his indifference163245.A lady to her fiancé, of whom she is jealous164246.Answer to the above (protesting)165247.Answer to No. 245 (conciliating)165248.A gentleman to his fiancée, acknowledging his jealousy166249.A gentleman to his fiancée, apologizing for his jealousy166250.A lady to her fiancé, apologizing for her jealousy167251.A mother to her daughter's fiancé167Chapter IV—Breaking off Engagements168252.A gentleman asking his fiancée to end their engagement168253.A lady to her fiancé, putting an end to their engagement168254.Answer to the above169255.A lady to her fiancé, breaking off their engagement on account of his coldness169256.A lady to her fiancé, breaking off their engagement on account of change in her feelings170257.A gentleman offering his fiancée to release her from her engagement170258.Answer to the above171259.A mother to her daughter's fiancé172260.A father to his daughter's fiancé172PART IV. SOCIAL INTERCOURSEChapter I—Introductory Remarks173Chapter II—Requesting, or Granting, Introductions, Favors, etc.178261.A gentleman requesting a presentation at a foreign court178262.Answer to the above178263.General letter of introduction178264.A lady asking a letter of introduction179265.Asking a lady to call on a stranger179266.Asking a lady for letters of introduction180267.Introducing a young married couple180268.A father introducing a son to a minister181269.A lady introducing a friend to a schoolmate182270.A gentleman introducing a college chum to his sister182271.Asking a subscription to some charity183272.A young lady asking a girl friend for a photograph183273.Answer to the above184274.Asking a gentleman to be godfather184275.Answer to the above184276.Asking a lady to be godmother185277.Answer to the above185278.To a lady after visiting at her country home185279.Asking a pastor to visit the writer's sick mother186280.Asking a pastor to call at once186281.Asking for information from a minister187282.To a pastor concerning a school treat187283.A gentleman presenting a young lady with flowers187284.A gentleman sending a song to a young lady188285.Answer to the above188286.An elderly gentleman offering a young lady a present188287.Answer to the above189288.A gentleman, offering tickets to an entertainment189289.Answer to the above (acceptance)189290.Answer to No. 288 (regrets)190291.A stranger offering an invalid fruit and flowers190292.Answer to the above190293.Asking an invitation for a friend191294.Answer to the above191295.Another request of an invitation for a friend191296.Another request of an invitation for friends192Chapter III—Congratulations, Condolences, etc.193297.A lady,addressingbirthday congratulations193298.Condoling with a friend having failed in business193299.Informing a wife of her husband's illness194300.Informing a husband of the illness of his wife195301.Informing a daughter of the illness of her mother195302.Inquiring after a person's health196303.Inquiring indirectly after a person's health196304.Sympathizing with an invalid197305.A daughter announcing her mother's death197306.A lady announcing her husband's death to a brother-in-law198307.Condoling with a lady on her husband's death198308.Answer to the above198309.Condoling with a gentleman on his wife's death199310.Answer to the above199311.Condoling with a lady on her brother's death200312.Answer to the above200313.Condoling with a young lady on her mother's death201314.Condoling with a mother on a child's death201315.Condoling with a lady on a friend's death202316.Answer to the above203317.Inviting a friend to a funeral203318.Offering to attend the funeral of a lady's husband203319.Asking a relative to attend a funeral204320.Offering to attend the funeral of a relative204Chapter IV—Invitations and Regrets205321.Inviting a married couple to a formal dinner205322.Answer to the above (acceptance)205323.Answer to No. 321 (regrets)205324.Inviting a married couple to an informal dinner206325.Answer to the above (acceptance)206326.Answer to No. 324 (regrets)206327.Inviting a gentleman to a formal dinner207328.Inviting a gentleman to an informal dinner207329.Answer to the above (acceptance)207330.Answer to No. 328 (regrets)207331.Inviting a lady to a luncheon208332.Answer to the above (acceptance)208333.Answer to No. 331 (regrets)208334.Inviting a gentleman to a luncheon208335.Answer to the above (acceptance)209336.Answer to No. 334 (regrets)209337.Asking a lady to sing at an afternoon tea209338.Answer to the above210339.Inviting a lady to a formal afternoon tea210340.Answer to the above210341.Inviting a lady to an informal afternoon tea210342.Asking a gentleman to recite at an afternoon tea211343.Inviting a lady to a garden-party211344.Answer to the above211345.Inviting a ladyto a church sociable212346.Inviting a lady to a picnic212347.Answer to the above212348.Inviting a gentleman to a picnic213349.Answer to the above213350.Invitation to a theater-party213351.Answer to the above214352.A gentleman inviting a young lady to attend a theater214353.Answer to the above214354.Inviting a lady to a small evening party215355.Inviting a lady and her daughter to a dance215356.Answer to the above215357.Inviting a young lady to a dance216358.Answer to the above216359.Inviting a gentleman to a dance216360.Answer to the above216361.Inviting a gentleman to a garden-party217362.Answer to the above217363.A gentleman inviting a young lady to visit a theater218364.Answer to the above218365.A little girl asking a friend to tea218366.Answer to the above219367.Inviting a lady to visit the writer in the city219368.Answer to the above219369.Inviting a lady to visit the writer in the country220370.Answer to the above220371.Inviting a lady to visit the writer at the seashore220372.Answer to the above221373.Postponing a dinner-party on account of a death221374.Postponing a dance222375.Postponing a visit on account of illness in the family222376.A gentleman excusing himself from keeping a dinner engagement222377.A lady excusing herself from keeping a dinner engagement223378.Resigning from membership in a club223PART VHow to Address in Writing the President of the United States, Members of His Cabinet and Other High Officials224PART VIThe Correct forms of Visiting Cards, Invitations, etc.227Gentlemen's cards227Ladies' cards229Invitation cards233For social functions233For weddings236Leave-taking240Notifications of births and funerals240PART VIILegal Forms242Bill of sale242Assignment of mortgage243Mortgage244General submission to arbitration247Release Deed247General Release248Warranty deed249Lease (short form)250Agreement for warranty deed253Will254PART VIIIMiscellany256Spelling and meaning of foreign words often used in letter-writing256Abbreviations used in commercial correspondence257The use of punctuation-marks258Etiquette for all occasions259Synonyms263The use of capitals275Postal rates and regulations275United States275Canada and Mexico276Other countries276
frontis"When about to put your words in ink,'Twill do no harm to stop and think."
"When about to put your words in ink,'Twill do no harm to stop and think."
titlepage
THENEW CENTURYSTANDARDLETTER-WRITER
Business, Family and Social CorrespondenceLove-Letters, Etiquette, SynonymsLegal Forms, Etc.
How to Address the President, Members of the Cabinetand other High Officials
BYAlfred B. Chambers,PH. D.Author of "The 20th Century Handy Cyclopedia Britannica."
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGOLAIRD & LEE, PUBLISHERS
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1900,by WILLIAM H. LEE,in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.