Neither are initials good form for young ladies, though after an unmarried lady has reached a certain, or rather an “uncertain,” age, she may, if she choose, be permitted to place upon her visiting cards:
Miss A. C. Wright.
If the young lady be motherless she often has her name engraved beneath that of her father, using not the smaller card of a gentleman but the first given oblong card for ladies. In England unmarried ladies, unless they have reached a very “uncertain” age indeed, follow the above fashion, and quite young ladies leave their chaperon’s card as well. This fashion is often followed here, and when so done signifies that they will be inseparable for the season.
Address on Cards.
There is much question as to whether the address should be engraved on a lady’s card, some very exclusive circles prohibiting it entirely on a young lady’s card and questioning its use for a married lady, suggesting that in case a young lady desires to give her address to any particular individual it may be easily pencilled on one of her cards for the occasion, and that married ladies have the privilege of leaving one of their husband’s, with engraved address, in connection with their own. This custom, while it may seem an over-nicety to those outside the great centers of metropolitan life, will be appreciated by all those to whom the “ins and outs” of city life are familiar. It should be said that while engraving the address is still a mooted question, except for young ladies, each individual is at liberty to use her own judgment on the question.
Cards for Gentlemen.
The size and style of a gentleman’s card has been already given, but a few words as to name and titles will be necessary here. Custom, with reference to the cards that a man must carry, is considerably less arbitrary than towards women in the same respect. He may use his initials or his full name, as it pleases him. He may inscribe himself “Mr. John Smith,” or simply “John Smith,” and be quite correct in so doing, though just now there is a little inclination in favor of the more formal “Mr.” an English custom we do well in copying.
Military, not militia, naval and judicial titles, may always be used. Physicians and clergymen have the same privilege; honorary titles, however, should be avoided.
A private gentleman would have his card as: Mr. Howard Mason, 24 Union Square. If he were a club man, the club name, providing it were a very fashionable one, would take the place of the address, as: Mr. Howard Mason, Union League Club. For a military card: Captain Arthur Coleman, U. S. A. For a naval card: Admiral Porter, U. S. N. A medical man might use the following: George H. Harrison, M.D.
Some eminent men go to extreme simplicity, as, for instance, “Mr. Webster” being all that graced the cards of that celebrity.