Or,
JAMES BURNS, U.S.A.,
are either of them correct, the former having the advantage of putting the receiver in possession at once of his visitor's rank, the latter allowing scope for promotion or change of title. For militia officers to use their titles upon visiting cards is a piece of affectation utterly absurd. Members of Congress are always entitled to use the "Hon." before the name on their visiting cards, even after their term of office has expired. Judges and physicians are also allowed to use their titles; but no other professional men.
Cards should be engraved in simple Italian characters, and without flourish, embossed surface, or even ostentatiously large letters.
Every visiting card should have the address in small letters in the left-hand corner. If used when in a strange city, the usual address may be scored in lead-pencil, and the temporary one written under the name, thus:
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM LEIGH,
No. 207 —- STREET. ST. JAMES HOTEL.
It is optional with unmarried ladies to use the prefix to their names.
Gentlemen without military, naval, official, or professional titles generally omit any prefix but may use the abbreviation "Mr." if they desire.
Autograph visiting cards are conceited affectations. The autograph of distinguished characters may be desirable; but it is precisely that class of people who would be least likely to use them. A neatly engraved card is en regle; printed ones look cheap, and are not suitable for visiting.
Persons in mourning should use cards with black borders.