It is an accomplishment to write a good letter, and one of which few can boast, while to write a bad one is so general a practice that the receipt of a good letter almost amounts to an agreeable surprise. With regard to the composition of a letter, it should always be remembered that if it has a reason for being written, this fact should not be lost sight of or over-weighted with a mass of extraneous matter. It is also idle to devote the first paragraph of a letter to trivial excuses for not having written sooner, when a still longer delay might have been allowed to elapse if it suited the convenience of the writer; still, when a letter requires an immediate answer, it is a matter of politeness to give the reason for the delay, but this should be explained without circumlocution. It is when girls are merging into womanhood and boys into manhood, that want of fluency in letter writing is acutely felt; and this awkwardness often continues in after years. Some are more conscious than others of their deficiencies in this respect, and to write a letter or even a simple note is to them a trouble and a bore; later on they take refuge in the fact that they are bad correspondents, and they use this statement as an excuse for writing very short letters or for not writing at all. Many people confess when obliged to write letters, that they have no idea what to say beyond the preliminary phrase; they are afraid to trust their pen with their thoughts, for fear of getting out of their depth and of not being able to recover themselves without becoming more or less involved and hazy as to grammar. A well-expressed letter creates a pleasant feeling of gratification; it is often read twice, and if not put by amongst other missives, considered worth keeping, it is destroyed with some regret. One charm of a good letter lies, perhaps, in its being personally considerate; another, in its clearly calling to mind the individuality of the writer.
Inquiries after health should be made with discretion, always remembering that some are thin-skinned on this subject, while others like to discuss it at length. A clever writer keeps his affairs very much in the background unless they are at a crisis, when they would of course possess interest of an unusual character; otherwise to relate trivial matters for the sake of having something to say is foolish and egotistical. In these days, people do not accuse themselves of writing stupid, dull, or uninteresting letters, as their friends are only too likely to take their confessions at their own valuation and to endorse the written verdict; while the affectation of laying the blame of bad writing on pens, ink, and paper is now considered as a most inadequate and absurd excuse. In answering, it is a proof of a poor imagination to minutely paraphrase each paragraph of the letter under treatment. Questions naturally demand answers, and important facts call for comment; but trivial remarks and observations, perhaps pleasantly put, should not be returned to their author with poor platitudes attached to them.
Letter-writing may be said to be divided into notes and letters. Formerly a note written in the third person invariably commenced with, "Mrs. Jones presents her compliments to Mrs. Brown"; but now the words "presents compliments" have fallen into disfavor; and, whenever any other opening phrase can be readily substituted, it is in better taste to use it. Indeed, it may be taken as a rule that compliments are only presented to a complete stranger, or officially, or professionally speaking; and whenever an acquaintanceship exists, even of the slightest possible character, other expressions are used in preference to the words "presents her compliments." The nature of the note itself would probably determine the most appropriate expression wherewith to commence it.
There are few people careless or ignorant enough to lapse from the third person into the first in the course of a short note; but still it is worth guarding against. Notes are principally confined to the briefest of communications, as the frequent and necessary repetition of the pronouns—she and her, for instance—or the surnames of the writer and recipient of the note becomes tedious; and when it is imperative to write in the third person, it is most desirable to construct each sentence with a due regard to an extravagant use of pronouns, and never at any time to resort to the vulgar expedient of attempting a sort of compromise by making the initial letter of the writer and of the person written to do duty for their respective names and surnames.
It is observable that a cramped style, or a small Italian hand-writing, is no longer in vogue, and, when seen, appears very much out of date. The prevailing mode of writing is bold and free. A frequent use of capitals is also indulged in, which gives a dash of originality and spirit to a letter when not over-done.
It used to be an idea that to underline words in a letter was rather bad style; but now, if a writer wishes to be very emphatic, or to call particular attention to any remark, an additional stroke of the pen is not objected to; it is a liberty not to be taken, however, when writing to those with whom one is on ceremony.
Many people experience a certain difficulty in the choice of a conventional term with which to conclude a ceremonious letter, and it must be admitted that there is not much variety at command, "Yours truly," "Yours sincerely," "Yours faithfully," "Yours obediently," with the addition perhaps of the adverb "very," being the principal formulas in use; and it is on the whole immaterial whether "truly" or "sincerely" is employed when writing to friends. The affectionate expressions addressed to still dearer friends and relations are left to one's personal feelings, and yet many devoted husbands make use of the cold, formal words "Yours truly," when writing to their wives, in preference to any more endearing phrase.
In order not to conclude a letter too abruptly, it is usual, before the words "Yours truly," to add one or other of such phrases as these: "Believe me, dear Mrs. Jones," or "I remain, dear Mrs. Jones," or "Believe me, dear Mrs. Jones, with kind regards," and this gives to a letter a certain finish and completeness which would otherwise be wanting.
An error of punctuation in a letter will often cause a sentence or paragraph to be misunderstood, and made to convey the reverse of what was intended.
Question marks should not be omitted from a letter when questions are asked, though many consider it a waste of time to use them. An exclamation point, when required, materially assists the clearer understanding of a passage, which without it might not possess so emphatic a meaning.