LETTERS FROM PARENTS
THE same familiarity may be observed by parents when corresponding with their children, with, of course, the addition of a certain amount of dignity commensurate with the fact that they are, as it were, in loco parentis. The following example will no doubt be of aid to parents in correctly corresponding with their children:
A Correct Letter from a Mother to Her Son Congratulating Him on His Election to the Presidency of the United States
DEAR FREDERICK:
I am very glad that you have been elected President of the United
States, Frederick, and I hope that now you will have sense enough
to see Dr. Kincaid about your teeth. It would be well to have him
give you a thorough looking over at this time. And Mrs. Peasely
has given me the name of a splendid throat specialist in New York
whom I wish you would see as soon as possible, for it has been
almost a year since you went to Dr. Ryan. Are you getting good
wholesome food? Mrs. Dennison stopped in this morning and she
told me that Washington is very damp in the spring and I think
you had better get a new overcoat—a heavy warm one. She also
told me the name of a place where you can buy real woolen socks
and pajamas. I hope that you aren’t going to be so foolish as to
wear those short B. V. D.’s all winter because now that you are
president you must take care of yourself, Edward dear. Are you
keeping up those exercises in the morning? I found those
dumb-bells of yours in the attic yesterday and will send them on
to you if you wish. And, dear, please keep your throat covered
when you go out—Mrs. Kennedy says that the subways are always
cold and full of draughts. I saw a picture of you at the “movies”
the other evening and you were making a speech in the rain
without a hat or rubbers. Your uncle Frederick was just such a
fool as you are about wearing rubbers and he almost died of
pneumonia the winter we moved to Jefferson Avenue. Be sure and
let me know what Dr. Kincaid says and tell him everything.
Your loving mother.
P. S. What direction does your window face?
LETTERS TO PROSPECTIVE FATHERS-IN-LAW
A young man desiring to marry a young girl does not, in polite society, “pop the question” to her by mail, unless she happens, at the time, to be out of the city or otherwise unable to “receive.” It is often advisable, however, after she has said “yes,” to write a letter to her father instead of calling on him to ask for his permission to the match, as a personal interview is often apt to result unsatisfactorily. In writing these letters to prospective fathers-in-law, the cardinal point is, of course, the creation by the young man of a good impression in the mind of the father, and for this purpose he should study to make his letter one which will appeal irresistibly to the older gentleman’s habits and tastes.
Thus, in writing to a father who is above everything else a “business man,” the following form is suggested:
A Correct Letter to a Prospective Father-in-Law Who Is a Business Man
My letter,
10-6-22
Your letter,
In reply please refer to: ————
File—Love—personal—
N. Y.—1922
No. G, 16 19
Mr. Harrison Williams,
Vice-Pres. Kinnear-Williams Mfg. Co.,
Buffalo, N. Y.
DEAR SIR:
Confirming verbal message of even date re: being in love with
your daughter, this is to advise that I am in love with your
daughter. Any favorable action which you would care to take in
this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Yours truly,
EDWARD FISH.
Copy to your Daughter per E. F.
“ “ “ Wife
EF/F
Or, should the girl’s father be prominent in the advertising business, the following would probably create a favorable impression, especially if printed on a blotter or other useful article: