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 herChristian 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 markedattentions[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 engagementto 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 tohis daughter [148]
219. Answer to the above [149]
220. A father disapproving of a gentleman's attentions tohis 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 postponementof 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 engagementon account of his coldness [169]
256. A lady to her fiancé, breaking off their engagementon account of change in her feelings [170]
257. A gentleman offering his fiancée to release her fromher 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, Membersof 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 inletter-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]

THE
NEW CENTURY
STANDARD
LETTER WRITER

PART I
BUSINESS INTERCOURSE

CHAPTER I
COMMERCIAL CORRESPONDENCE

A. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Considering the vast amount of business transacted by correspondence between the parties interested, Letter-Writing seems only second in importance to bookkeeping. Merchants and others living at a distance from the wholesale centers, usually order and remit by letter. It may be that an error has occurred and needs correction. Credit is to be asked, references given, and a multitude of other matters call for adjustment through correspondence. To write every conceivable variety and shade of meaning, expressing the proper thought in the most fitting and appropriate language, is indeed a rare and valuable accomplishment. And when the proper language takes on the graceful and businesslike air of the well-written letter, with its several parts harmoniously arranged, it is a combination of brain and skill which can hardly be overestimated.

This subject, therefore, naturally divides itself into two parts: The Mechanical Structure, and the Literature of a Letter. The former, being the less difficult, will be first considered.

The Structure of a Business Letter.