NEW CENTURY
STANDARD
LETTER-WRITER



frontis
"When about to put your words in ink,
'Twill do no harm to stop and think."

titlepage

THE
NEW CENTURY
STANDARD
LETTER-WRITER


Business, Family and Social Correspondence
Love-Letters, Etiquette, Synonyms
Legal Forms, Etc.

How to Address the President, Members of the Cabinet
and other High Officials


BY
Alfred B. Chambers, PH. D.
Author of "The 20th Century Handy Cyclopedia Britannica."

ILLUSTRATED


CHICAGO
LAIRD & 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.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. BUSINESS INTERCOURSE
 PAGE
Chapter I—Commercial Correspondence 17
A. Introductory Remarks 17
B. Employer and Employe 32
  1. Applying for a situation in a corporation 32
  2. Applying for a position as bookkeeper 32
  3. Applying for a situation in answer to an advertisement 33
  4. Applying for a position in a wholesale house 33
 5. Applying for a position in a retail store 34
 6. A father applying for his son 34
 7. A mother asking a position for her son 35
 8. Applying for a position in a law-office 35
 9. Applying for a position as Clerk 36
 10. Applying for a position as stenographer (lady) 36
 11. Applying for a position as bookkeeper (lady) 37
 12. Advertising for an office-boy 37
 13. Reply to the above 38
 14. Applying for a situation of office-boy 38
 15. Applying for a position as hotel manager 38
 16. Application to act as a firm's agent 39
 17. Applying for a situation as matron in an asylum 40
 18. Indorsing the above application 40
 19. Introducing a young man about to start in business 41
 20. General letter of recommendation to a former employe 41
 21. Recommending a bookkeeper formerly employed 42
 22. Asking permission to use a gentleman as reference 42
 23. Asking information concerning a clerk 43
 24. Asking former employers to act as references 43
 25. Asking for an increase in salary 44
 26. Thanking for an increase in salary 44
 27. Asking for a vacation 45
 28. Apologizing to employers 45
 29. Excusing one's absence 46
 30. Announcing death of husband to his employers 46
 31. A commercial traveler to his employers 46
 32. Another letter from a commercial traveler 47
33. Resignation from a position 48
C. Buying, Selling and Shipping Goods 48
 34. Asking for an order list 48
 35. Ordering bill of goods 49
 36. Ordering goods and enclosing amount 49
 37. Another order enclosing remittance 50
 38. To a business firm inclosing invoice 50
 39. To a private party, inclosing invoice 51
 40. From a farmer to a commission house 51
 41. From a farmer, shipping produce 52
 42. Answer to the above 52
 43. From a farmer to a manufacturing concern 53
 44. From ranch-owners, shipping cattle 53
 45. Answer to the above (with account sales) 53-55
 46. Complaining of delay in delivery of goods 54
 47. Complaining of delay to a freight line agency 56
 48. Answer to No. 46 56
 49. Complaining of goods shipped by express instead of freight 57
 50. Answer to the above 57
D. Credits and Business References 58
 51. A new firm wishing to open an account 58
 52. Answer to the above (favorable) 58
 53. Answer to the above (unfavorable) 59
 54. Asking for references 59
 55. Asking a bank for confidential opinion 60
 56. Answer to the above (favorable) 60
 57. Answer to the above (unfavorable) 60
 58. Asking a lawyer for a confidential opinion 61
 59. Giving bearer a credit, guaranteed by writer 61
 60. Inquiring as to business prospects 62
E. Accounts and Payments 62
 61. Inclosing statement of account 62
 62. Asking settlement of account 63
 63. Asking firmly for settlement of overdue account 63
 64. More pressing dunning letter 63
 65. Inclosing a remittance 64
 66. Inclosing draft for acceptance 64
 67. Asking for time 65
 68. To a retail customer requesting payment 65
F. Business Notices 65
 69. Dissolution of partnership 65
 70. Death of a partner 66
 71. Change in the firm name 67
 72. Recommending a successor 67
 73. Notice of assignment 68
Chapter II—Semi-Private Business 69
 74. A gentleman of leisure to his bank 69
 75. A lady to her bank 69
 76. To a landlord concerning repairs 70
 77. Answer to the above 70
 78. To a landlord complaining of neglect 70
 79. Answer to the above 71
 80. Making an offer for a furnished house 71
 81. Asking a real estate firm to list a house 72
 82. Asking for a list of houses for rent 72
 83. Asking information about farms for sale 72
 84. Asking house-decorators for an estimate 73
 85. Asking for time to settle an account 73
 86. Subscribing to a periodical, enclosing amount 74
 87. Claiming lost baggage 74
 88. To a dressmaker, about extravagant charges 74
 89. To a dressmaker, postponing payment of bill 75
 90. To a tailor 75
 91. Applying for a position as teacher 75
 92. Recommending a teacher 76
 93. To a lawyer about a claim 76
 94. To a lawyer, about a bill of costs 77
Chapter III—Private Business 78
 95. Asking a friend to make a purchase 78
 96. Asking a friend to visit furnished houses 78
 97. Asking a friend to engage rooms 79
 98. Requesting the attendance of a lawyer 80
 99. Requesting the attendance of a physician 80
 100. Asking a physician for his bill 80
 101. Concerning an unpaid note endorsed by the writer 80
 102. Requesting a loan from a friend 81
 103. Answer to the above 81
 104. Requesting a loan from a relative 82
 105. Concerning a furnished country house 82
106. Answer to the above 82
 107. Inquiry about farm-house board 83
 108. Answer to the above 83
 109. Inquiring about placing a sick child on a farm 84
 110. Answer to the above 85
 111. To a music teacher 85
 112. Answer to the above 85
 113. To an artist, about a portrait 86
 114. Asking information about a school 86
 115. Answer to the above 86
PART II. FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE
Chapter I—Introductory Remarks 88
Chapter II—Between Parents and Children 92
 116. To a son entering business 92
 117. To a father, offering to leave college 92
 118. Answer to the above 93
 119. To a mother, after first day in college 94
 120. Answer to the above 96
 121. A son excusing his extravagance 97
 122. To a daughter on her birthday 98
 123. A son expressing dislike of his occupation 98
 124. A little boy to his papa 99
 125. A little boy to his grandfather 99
 126. A little boy to his uncle 100
 127. A little boy at school to his sister 100
 128. A little girl at school to her mamma 100
 129. A little girl to her absent mother 101
 130. A little girl on a visit, to her mamma 101
 131. A little girl to her grandmamma 101
 132. A little girl to her brother at school 102
Chapter III—To and from Relatives, Guardians, etc. 103
 133. A mother-in-law to her son-in-law 103
 134. A mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law 103
 135. A daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law 104
 136. A daughter-in-law to her father-in-law 105
 137. A sister-in-law to a brother-in-law 105
 138. A brother to a married sister 106
 139. A sister to an elder brother 107
 140. A niece to an aunt 107
141. Wishing Merry Christmas to a cousin 108
 142. A ward to his guardian 109
 143. Answer to the above 109
Chapter IV—To, from and about Governesses, Chaperons, Companions, Housekeepers, etc. 110
 144. A governess applying for a position 110
 145. Asking information concerning a governess 110
 146. Recommending a governess 111
 147. Answering an ad. for a chaperon 111
 148. Answering an ad. for a companion 112
 149. Replying to an ad. for a housekeeper 113
Chapter V—Servants 114
 150. A housemaid applying for a situation 114
 151. A housemaid accepting a situation 114
 152. A housemaid declining a situation 115
 153. Asking information concerning a maid 115
 154. Answer to the above 115
 155. Asking information concerning a cook 115
 156. Answer to the above 116
 157. Asking information concerning a butler 116
 158. Answer to the above 116
 159. A cook asking a lady to recommend her 117
 160. A nurse to her absent mistress 117
 161. Marriage proposal from a butler to a cook 118
 162. Answer to the above 118
PART III. LOVE AND MARRIAGE
Chapter I—Proposals, Acceptances, Refusals 119
 163. To a young lady about a misunderstanding 119
 164. Answer to the above (kindly) 119
 165. Answer to No. 163 (conciliatory) 120
 166. Answer to No. 163 (chilly) 120
 167. Asking a young lady for privilege of a correspondence 120
 168. Answer to the above 121
 169. Asking permission to address a young lady by her Christian name 121
 170. Answer to the above 122
 171. Asking a lady for an interview 122
172. Answer to the above 123
 173. To a young lady proposing marriage 123
 174. Answer to the above (favorable) 124
 175. Answer to No. 173 (unfavorable) 124
 176. Proposal to a lady the writer never was introduced to 124
 177. Answer to the above (favorable) 125
 178. Answer to No. 176 (unfavorable) 126
 179. Proposal to a lady unaware of the writer's intentions 126
 180. Answer to the above (favorable) 127
 181. Answer to No. 178 (unfavorable) 127
 182. Proposal to a lady to whom the writer showed marked attentions 128
 183. Answer to the above 128
 184. Proposal by a gentleman of small means 129
 185. Answer to the above (favorable) 130
 186. Answer to No. 184 (unfavorable) 130
 187. Proposal from middle-aged gentleman to young lady 131
 188. Answer to the above (favorable) 132
 189. Answer to No.187 (unfavorable) 132
 190. Proposal from widower to widow 133
 191. Answer to the above 133
 192. Proposal to a wealthy widow 134
 193. Answer to the above (favorable) 134
 194. Answer to 192 (unfavorable) 135
 195. Proposal from widower to young lady 135
 196. Answer to the above (favorable) 136
 197. Answer to No. 195 (unfavorable) 136
 198. Proposal from widower with grown-up daughters 137
 199. Answer to above (favorable) 138
 200. Answer to 198 (unfavorable) 138
 201. Marriage proposal to an heiress 139
 202. Answer to the above (favorable) 139
  203. Answer to No. 201 (unfavorable) 140
Chapter II—To and from Parents, Guardians, Friends, etc., in Reference to Marriage Matters 141
 204. Asking a father for his daughter's hand 141
 205. Answer to the above (favorable) 141
 206. Answer to No. 204 (unfavorable) 142
 207. Another request to a father for his daughter's hand 142
208. Answer to the above 143
 209. Asking a father's approval of his daughter's engagement to the writer 144
 210. Answer to the above (favorable) 144
 211. Answer to No.209 (unfavorable) 145
 212. A gentleman asking his father's approval of his engagement 145
 213. Answer to the above 145
 214. A young lady asking her guardian to approve her engagement 146
 215. Answer to the above 147
 216. A father asking to be told a gentleman's intentions 147
 217. Answer to the above 148
 218. A father forbidding a gentleman to pay attentions to his daughter 148
 219. Answer to the above 149
 220. A father disapproving of a gentleman's attentions to his daughter 149
 221. A mother announcing her daughter's engagement 150
 222. Answer to the above 150
 223. A young lady announcing her engagement 151
 224. A young lady congratulating a friend just engaged 151
 225. A gentleman announcing his engagement 152
 226. A mother to her son's fiancée 152
 227. Answer to the above 153
 228. Congratulating a gentleman about his engagement 153
 229. A fiancée asking a friend to be bridesmaid 154
Chapter III—Between Engaged People 155
 230. A gentleman on being first accepted 155
 231. A gentleman recently engaged to his fiancée 155
 232. A gentleman offering a present to his fiancée 156
 233. Answer to the above 156
 234. A lady to her fiancé 157
 235. A gentleman to his fiancée 157
 236. Answer to the above 158
 237. Another letter from a gentleman to his fiancée 159
 238. Answer to the above 159
 239. Asking his fiancée to name the day 161
 240. Answer to the above (favorable) 161
 241. Answer to No. 239 (unfavorable) 162
242. A lady asking her fiancé to consent to a postponement of their wedding-day 162
 243. A gentleman to his fiancée, complaining of her coldness 163
 244. A lady to her fiancé, complaining of his indifference 163
 245. A lady to her fiancé, of whom she is jealous 164
 246. Answer to the above (protesting) 165
 247. Answer to No. 245 (conciliating) 165
 248. A gentleman to his fiancée, acknowledging his jealousy 166
 249. A gentleman to his fiancée, apologizing for his jealousy 166
 250. A lady to her fiancé, apologizing for her jealousy 167
 251. A mother to her daughter's fiancé 167
Chapter IV—Breaking off Engagements 168
 252. A gentleman asking his fiancée to end their engagement 168
 253. A lady to her fiancé, putting an end to their engagement 168
 254. Answer to the above 169
 255. A lady to her fiancé, breaking off their engagement on account of his coldness 169
 256. A lady to her fiancé, breaking off their engagement on account of change in her feelings 170
 257. A gentleman offering his fiancée to release her from her engagement 170
 258. Answer to the above 171
 259. A mother to her daughter's fiancé 172
 260. A father to his daughter's fiancé 172
PART IV. SOCIAL INTERCOURSE
Chapter I—Introductory Remarks 173
Chapter II—Requesting, or Granting, Introductions, Favors, etc. 178
 261. A gentleman requesting a presentation at a foreign court 178
 262.Answer to the above 178
 263. General letter of introduction 178
 264. A lady asking a letter of introduction 179
 265. Asking a lady to call on a stranger 179
266. Asking a lady for letters of introduction 180
 267. Introducing a young married couple 180
 268. A father introducing a son to a minister 181
 269. A lady introducing a friend to a schoolmate 182
 270. A gentleman introducing a college chum to his sister 182
 271. Asking a subscription to some charity 183
 272. A young lady asking a girl friend for a photograph 183
 273. Answer to the above 184
 274. Asking a gentleman to be godfather 184
 275. Answer to the above 184
 276. Asking a lady to be godmother 185
 277. Answer to the above 185
 278. To a lady after visiting at her country home 185
 279. Asking a pastor to visit the writer's sick mother 186
 280. Asking a pastor to call at once 186
 281. Asking for information from a minister 187
 282. To a pastor concerning a school treat 187
 283. A gentleman presenting a young lady with flowers 187
 284. A gentleman sending a song to a young lady 188
 285. Answer to the above 188
 286. An elderly gentleman offering a young lady a present 188
 287. Answer to the above 189
 288. A gentleman, offering tickets to an entertainment 189
 289. Answer to the above (acceptance) 189
 290. Answer to No. 288 (regrets) 190
 291. A stranger offering an invalid fruit and flowers 190
 292. Answer to the above 190
 293. Asking an invitation for a friend 191
 294. Answer to the above 191
 295. Another request of an invitation for a friend 191
 296. Another request of an invitation for friends 192
Chapter III—Congratulations, Condolences, etc. 193
 297. A lady, addressing birthday congratulations 193
 298. Condoling with a friend having failed in business 193
 299. Informing a wife of her husband's illness 194
 300. Informing a husband of the illness of his wife 195
 301. Informing a daughter of the illness of her mother 195
 302. Inquiring after a person's health 196
 303. Inquiring indirectly after a person's health 196
 304. Sympathizing with an invalid 197
305. A daughter announcing her mother's death 197
 306. A lady announcing her husband's death to a brother-in-law 198
 307. Condoling with a lady on her husband's death 198
 308. Answer to the above 198
 309. Condoling with a gentleman on his wife's death 199
 310. Answer to the above 199
 311. Condoling with a lady on her brother's death 200
 312. Answer to the above 200
 313. Condoling with a young lady on her mother's death 201
 314. Condoling with a mother on a child's death 201
 315. Condoling with a lady on a friend's death 202
 316. Answer to the above 203
 317. Inviting a friend to a funeral 203
 318. Offering to attend the funeral of a lady's husband 203
 319. Asking a relative to attend a funeral 204
 320. Offering to attend the funeral of a relative 204
Chapter IV—Invitations and Regrets 205
 321. Inviting a married couple to a formal dinner 205
 322. Answer to the above (acceptance) 205
 323. Answer to No. 321 (regrets) 205
 324. Inviting a married couple to an informal dinner 206
 325. Answer to the above (acceptance) 206
 326. Answer to No. 324 (regrets) 206
 327. Inviting a gentleman to a formal dinner 207
 328. Inviting a gentleman to an informal dinner 207
 329. Answer to the above (acceptance) 207
 330. Answer to No. 328 (regrets) 207
 331. Inviting a lady to a luncheon 208
 332. Answer to the above (acceptance) 208
 333. Answer to No. 331 (regrets) 208
 334. Inviting a gentleman to a luncheon 208
 335. Answer to the above (acceptance) 209
 336. Answer to No. 334 (regrets) 209
 337. Asking a lady to sing at an afternoon tea 209
 338. Answer to the above 210
 339. Inviting a lady to a formal afternoon tea 210
 340. Answer to the above 210
 341. Inviting a lady to an informal afternoon tea 210
 342. Asking a gentleman to recite at an afternoon tea 211
343. Inviting a lady to a garden-party 211
 344. Answer to the above 211
 345. Inviting a lady to a church sociable 212
 346. Inviting a lady to a picnic 212
 347. Answer to the above 212
 348. Inviting a gentleman to a picnic 213
 349. Answer to the above 213
 350. Invitation to a theater-party 213
 351. Answer to the above 214
 352. A gentleman inviting a young lady to attend a theater 214
 353. Answer to the above 214
 354. Inviting a lady to a small evening party 215
 355. Inviting a lady and her daughter to a dance 215
 356. Answer to the above 215
 357. Inviting a young lady to a dance 216
 358. Answer to the above 216
 359. Inviting a gentleman to a dance 216
 360. Answer to the above 216
 361. Inviting a gentleman to a garden-party 217
 362. Answer to the above 217
 363. A gentleman inviting a young lady to visit a theater 218
 364. Answer to the above 218
 365. A little girl asking a friend to tea 218
 366. Answer to the above 219
 367. Inviting a lady to visit the writer in the city 219
 368. Answer to the above 219
 369. Inviting a lady to visit the writer in the country 220
 370. Answer to the above 220
 371. Inviting a lady to visit the writer at the seashore 220
 372. Answer to the above 221
 373. Postponing a dinner-party on account of a death 221
 374. Postponing a dance 222
 375. Postponing a visit on account of illness in the family 222
 376. A gentleman excusing himself from keeping a dinner engagement 222
 377. A lady excusing herself from keeping a dinner engagement 223
 378. Resigning from membership in a club 223
PART V
How to Address in Writing the President of the United States, Members of His Cabinet and Other High Officials 224
PART VI
The Correct forms of Visiting Cards, Invitations, etc. 227
 Gentlemen's cards 227
 Ladies' cards 229
 Invitation cards 233
 For social functions 233
 For weddings 236
 Leave-taking 240
 Notifications of births and funerals 240
PART VII
Legal Forms 242
 Bill of sale 242
 Assignment of mortgage 243
 Mortgage 244
 General submission to arbitration 247
 Release Deed 247
 General Release 248
 Warranty deed 249
 Lease (short form) 250
 Agreement for warranty deed 253
 Will 254
PART VIII
Miscellany 256
 Spelling and meaning of foreign words often used in letter-writing 256
 Abbreviations used in commercial correspondence 257
 The use of punctuation-marks 258
Etiquette for all occasions 259
Synonyms 263
The use of capitals 275
Postal rates and regulations 275
 United States 275
 Canada and Mexico 276
 Other countries 276