82                  ETIQUETTE OF LETTER WRITING AND TITLES.

long letter, it is best to use letter paper, which
in size is four-fifths the length of foolscap.
The common Business Letter should be so
brief as generally to require but one page of
commercial note, which is somewhat narrower
and shorter than letter paper.
Note and billet paper are the smallest sheets
made, being suitable for Notes of Invitation,
Parents' Excuses for children to teachers, and
other written exercises that are very brief.
Etiquette of Letter Writing.
As a rule, every letter, unless insulting in its
character, requires an answer. To neglect to
answer a letter, when written to, is as uncivil as
to neglect to reply when spoken to.
In the reply, acknowledge first the receipt of
the letter, mentioning its date, and afterwards
consider all the points requiring attention.
If the letter is to be very brief, commence
sufficiently far from the top of the page to
give a nearly equal amount of blank paper at
the bottom of the sheet when the letter is
ended.
Should the matter in the letter continue
beyond the first page, it is well to commence
a little above the middle of the sheet, extending
as far as necessary on the other pages.
It is thought impolite to use a half sheet of
paper in formal letters. As a matter of economy
and convenience for business purposes, how-
ever, it is customary to have the card of the
business man printed at the top of the sheet,
and a single leaf is used.
In writing a letter, the answer to which is of
more benefit to yourself than the person to
whom you write, enclose a postage stamp for
the reply.
Letters should be as free from erasures, inter-
lineations, blots and postscripts as possible. It
is decidedly better to c9py the letter than to
have these appear.
A letter of introduction or recommendation,
should never be sealed, as the bearer to whom
it is given ought to know the contents.

Titles.
T   is customary, in    the  heading   of
petitions to persons in official posi-
tions, in the complimentary address of
a letter, and in superscriptions, to give
each their proper title. These are
divided into titles of respect, military,
and professional titles.
Titles of respect are :-   Mr., from   Master;
Mrs., from Mistress; Miss, from the French
De-moi-selle; .Esq., from   Esquire, an English
Justice of the Peace, or member of the legal
profession, but applied very indiscriminately to
males throughout this country generally.
Two titles of the same class should not be
applied to the same name. Thus, in addressing
John Smith, do not say Mr. John Smith, Esq.;
though we may say Mr. John Smith, or John
Smith, Esq.
If the profession of the person addressed be
known, the professional title alone should be
used. If the person be entitled to two titles
the highest is given.
Titles of respect are usually placed before the
name; as Mr., Hon., Rev., Dr., and military
titles.
Professional titles sometimes precede and
sometimes follow the name; as Dr. John Smith,
or John Smith, M.D.; Prof. John Smith, or
John Smith, A.M.
The following list illustrates the various titles
used for the different ranks, among individuals,
either in the complimentary address or super-
scription on the envelope.
TeRoyalty.
" To the King's Most Excellent Majeosf"
" To the Queen's Most Eellent 2 ajesty."
*To his Royal Hghness, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales."
In like manner all the other members, male
and female, of the Royal family are addressed.
To Nobility.
"To his Grace the Duke of Argyle."
"To the Mot k,Voble the Marquis of Westminster."
"To the Right Honorab4e the Earl of Derby."
"To the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Sidney."
"To the Honorable Baron Cranworth."

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