Introducing a Daughter about to make a Visit.
CHARLESTON, S. C., May 6, 18.
MY DEAR MRS. HAMILTON :
In compliance with your oft repeated
request, I send my daughter to spend a few weeks of her vacation in
your delightful country home, trusting that her visit may be as delight-
ful for her and yourself as mine was a year ago. Anticipating a visit
from you all, ere the close of the present summer, I remain,
As ever, your Devoted Friend,
MARY DAVENPORT.
LETTERS OF ADMONITION.
101
Letters of itAdviceJ
k *
OUR life has
been a suc-
cess," said an
individual to
an old and
prosperous
business man.
" To what do
you attribute
your success ?" " To an admonition
given me by my father, when a
boy, which was this :
" ' First, to attend strictly to my
own business. Second, to let other
people's business alone. Observing
this, I incurred no ill will by inter-
meddling with others, and I saved
my time for the development and
improvement of my own business."
Be very sparing of letters of
advice. As a rule, you will have
enough to ' do to attend to your
own affairs, and as a general thing,
advice even when solicited is liable
lo give offence.
If however, you are asked to give
an opinion, you may plainly state
it. Do not give it however as a
law, nor feel offended if your ad-
vice is disregarded.
Beware of giving advice from
selfishness. Sooner or later your
motive will be discovered. Let
your admonition be alone for the
interest and welfare of your friend. If you
expect, however, to be benefited by the course
Advising a Young Lady to Refuse Gifts from Gentlemen.
c&Ze'Z -/
/ /
si-'ve-ci'i'M. 4e>t4e4#t -i.
which you advise the person to pursue, you may
frankly state so.
102
LETTERS OF ADVICE.
Letter of Advice to a Young Man to beware of Bad Company.
WASHINGTON, B.C., Jan 1, 18.
MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND ;
1 observe by the tone of your lat letter, that
you are becoming very intimate with Henry Hubbard and Barney
Mclntosh. I need not tell you that your letter has given me much
uneasiness. These young men are bad characters, and you cannot
continue your association with them, without contaminating your
morals.
I am an old man, and I write this, my boy, with a most earnest desire
for your happiness. You have acquired a fine education, and have
entered upon your profession with every prospect of success. You
have a widowed mother to support, and an orphaned sister looking to
you for guidance. It becomes you therefore to maintain a reputation
unsullied, and obtain a good credit, which to a young man in the com-
mencement of a business career, is equal to a large capital of itself.
Association with these young men will certainly carry you down-
ward. They are both without employment, they drive fast liorses,
thry wear flash jewelry, they frequent gambling houses, they both
use intoxicating drink, chew tobacco, and talk profane language.
What would you think of another that might be seen in theircompany ?
People will judge you as you would judge any one else. There is
much truth in the old proverb, "A man is known by the company he
keeps," and I would have your company such as will reflect the high-
est honor upon yourself.
I have written this letter earnestly and strongly, for I believe your
good judgment will take it kindly; and I trust, when you sincerely
reflect upon the matter, you will at once dismiss that class of associates
from your company.
Your earnest Well-Wisher
and Sincere Friend,
DAVID CLINE.
Advising a Young Man against a Hurried Marriage.
RUTLAND, VT., April 5, 18.
FRIEND CHARLES:
You ask me if you will not act the wiser part by
marrying Miss Manchester at once, and settling yourself permanently;
and yet you inform me that it has been but three weeks since you first
made her acquaintance. You may possibly be in jest, and perhaps in
earnest; in either case, as you ask my advice, I can but give it.
The choosing of a life companion, dear Charles, is a too serious
matter to be so hastily decided. The selection of a partner for a
dance or a ride may be of little moment. The choice of an associate
for business maybe determined in a short time; but the acceptance
of a partner for life requires the most serious deliberation. You
should take ample time for the study of the character, temperament,
disposition and accomplishments of the lady whom you choose to be
the sharer of your labors, joys, sorrows, reverses and prosperity.
Upon this step hangs a large share of your happiness in life. Do not
act too hastily. Trusting however, that I will some day see you
happily married and settled, I am as ever,
Your most Sincere Friend,
GEORGE BACHELDOR.
Advice to a Gentleman on the Subject of Health.
BOSTON, MASS., May 0, 18 .
My DEAR FRIEND:
Yours of the 2nd inst. is before me. I am pleased
with the prospect that you report in your business, but regret that
you should feel discouraged about your health. You ask me what you
had better do; I will answer.
The first great secret of good health is good habits; and the next is
regularity of habits. They are briefly summed up in the following
rules:
\. Sleep. Give yourself the necessary amount of sleep. Some men
require five hours of the twenty four; others need eight. Avoid
feather beds. Sleep in a garment not worn during the day. To
maintain robust health, sleep with a person as healthy as yourself, or
no one.
2. Dress. In cold weather, dress warmly with underclothing.
Remove muffler, overcoat, overshoes, &c., when remaining any con-
siderable length of time in a warm room. Keep your feet warm and
dry. Wash them, in warm water, two or three times a week. Wear
warm stockings, large boots, and overshoes when in the snow or wet.
Wear a light covering on the head, keeping it always cool.
3._ Cleanliness. Have always a pint or quart of water in the sleep-
ing room. In the morning after washing and wipinir hands and face,
then wet, with the hands, I'Very part of the body. Cold water will not
be disagreeable when applying it with the bare hands. Wipe immedi-
ately; follow by bri-k rubbing over the body. The whole operation
need not take over five minutes. The result of this wasLi is, the blood
is brought to the surface of the skin and made to circulate evenly
throughout the body. You have opened the pores of the skin, allow-
ing impurities in the body to pass off, and have given yourself in
the operation, a good vigorous morning exercise. Pursue this habit
regularly, and you will seldom take cold.
4. I/iJlafion of Ike Litnqs. Five minutes spent in the open air, after
dressing, inflating the lunirs, by inhaling as full a breath as possible,
and pounding the breast during the inflation, will greatly enlarge the
chest, strengthen the lung power, and very effectually ward off
consumption.
5.f)iff. If inclined to be dyspeptic, avoid mince pic, sausage, and
other highly seasoned food. Beware of eating too freely of soups;
better to eat food dry enough to employ the natural saliva of the
mouth in moistening it. If inclined to over-eat, partake freely of rice,
cracked wheat, and other articles (hat are easily digested.
Eat freely of ripe fruit, and avoid excessive use of meats. Eat at
regular hours, and lightly near the hour of going to bed. Eat slowly.
Thoroughly masticate the food. Do not wash it down with continual
drink while eating. Tell your funniest stories while at the table, and
for an hour afterwards. Do not engage in severe mental labor directly
after hearty eating,
6. Exercise. Exercise, not too violent, but sufficient to produce a
gentle perspiration, should be had each day in the open air.
7. Condition of Mvvl. The condition of the mind has much to do
with health. Be hopeful and joyous. To be so, avoid business en-
tanglements that may cause perplexity and anxiety. Keep out of debt.
Live within your income. Attend church. Walk, ride, mix in jovial
company. Do as nearly riant a? you know how. Thus conscience, will
always be at ease. If occasionally disappointed, remember that there
is no rose without a thorn, and that the darkest clouds have a silver
lining; that sunshine follows storm, and beautiful spring follows the
dreary winter. Do your duty, and leave the rest to God who doeth all
things well.
Hoping to hear of your continued prosperity and recovery of health,
I am,
Your very Sincere Friend,
ALLEN MATLOCK. SIBLEY JOHNSON, M. D.
Advice to an Orphan Boy.
ARLINGTON, N. C., June 7, 18.
MY DEAR CHARLIE:
I received your letter last evening. I was greatly
pleased to hear that you have secured a position with Colby, Hender-
son & Co., and that your sisters are comfortably situated in their new
homes. You ask me for advice as to what you shall do to maintain
the good opinion of your employers, and thus ultimately, prosperously
establish yourself.
This desire that you evince to please is one of the very best evi-
dences that you will please. Your question is very commendable.
How can you succeed? That should be the great question with all
young men. It is best answered, perhaps, by the reply of the wealthy
and honored old man who gave this advice to his grandson:
" My boy, take the admonition of an old man who has seen every
phase of human life.
"If I could give you but one precept to follow, it would be, Keep
good company. But, adding more, I will say:
" Be truthful; you thus always have the confidence of others.
"Be temperate; thus doing, you preserve health and money.
" Be industrious; you will then be constantly adding to your acqui-
sitions.
" Be economical; thus you will be saving for the rainy day.
"Be cautious; you are not then so liable to lose the work of years.
"Be polite and kind; scattering words of kindness, they are re-
flected back upon yourself, continually adding to your happiness."
Observe these directions and you will prosper. With many wishes
for your success, remember I am always
Your Friend,
ABEL MATLOCK.
LETTERS OF APOLOGY.
103
Letters of Excuse.
ETTERS of Excuse should be written
as promptly as may be.
Any damage that may have been
caused by yourself, you should, if pos-
sible, repair immediately, with inter-
est.
In apologizing for misconduct, failing to meet
an engagement, or for lack of punctuality, al-
ways state the reason why.
By fulfilling every engagement promptly, dis-
charging every obligation when due, and always
being punctual, you thereby entirely avoid the
necessity for an excuse.
Any article borrowed by measure, be certain
to return in larger quantity and better quality,
to make up the interest. To fail to make good
that which has been borrowed is the certain
loss of credit and business reputation in the
neighborhood where you live. No letter of
apology can make amends for neglecting to pay
your debts.
Apologizing for a Broken Engagement.
FREDERICK, MD., July 13, 18.
MY DEAR Miss MERTON :
I fear that you will feel Injured at my failure
to keep my appointment this evening. You will, however, I know,
forgive me when 1 explain. When about to proceed to your residence
rny horse, being very restive, bt-carne BO frightened at an object by the
roadside as to cause his runaway, throwing me violently to the ground,
bn-aking an arm. and completely demolishing my carriage. Regret-
ting my failure lo keep my engagement, I am yet rejoiced that the
accident occurred before you had entered the carriage.
Trusting that my excuse is a sufficient apology, i n maia,
Your Faithful Friend,
ALBERT BIGBEE.
Apologizing for Failure to Pay Money Promptly.
DANBT, N. Y., July 11, 1&-.
MR. D. B. FRISBIE,
Dear Sir :
I very much regret that the failure of H. Cole
& Son, will prevent my payment of your note on the 20th Instant, with-
out serious inconvenience, to myself. I shall be able to pay it, howev-
er, promptly on the 25th. Should the five days delay seriously incom-
mode you, please write me at ouce, and I will aim to procure the
money from another source.
Your Obedient Servant,
DANIEL FRAZIER.
Excuse to a Teacher for Non-attendance of Child at School.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, Sept. 4, 18 .
Miss BLAKE:
You will please excuse Gertrude for non-attendance at
school yesterday afternoon, she being detained in consequence of a
severe headache.
Very Respectfully,
MARCIA BARROWS.
Apology for Breaking a Business Engagement.
MONTICELLO, ILL., Oct. 15, 18.
MR. PAUL D. WARREN,
Kensington.
Dear Sir :
I very much regret being compelled to apologize
for not meeting you at the railroad meeting in Salem last Saturday, as
I agreed to do. The cause of my detention was the sudden and severe
illness of my youngest child, whose life for a time we despaired of.
Please write me the result of the meeting. Hoping that the arrange-
ments we anticipated were perfected, I am
Yours Truly,
SOLOMON KING.
Apology for Delay in Returning a Book,
KENTLAND, IND.,-NOV. 19, 18.
MY DEAR AMY:
You must excuse my long delay in returning your
book. The truth is, it has been the rounds for several to read, though
it has not been out of our house. When I had nearly finished its read-
ing, Aunt Mary became interested in its contents and read it through.
Her glowing description of the character of the work caused mother
to peruse it ; so that we have kept it from you several weeks. We f <rl
very grateful to you, however, for furnishing us such an intellectual
feast, and hope to have the pleasure of doing you a like favor.
Truly Your Friend,
LIZZIE BRAINARD.
104
LETTERS ASKING AND GRANTING FAVORS.
Letters Asking Favors.
T is to be hoped that you will not
often be compelled to write a let-
ter asking a favor.
Do not urge your claims too
strongly. Should you be refused,
you would feel the more deeply
humiliated.
In conferring a favor, avoid
conveying the impression that the recipient is
greatly under obligation to you. Eather imply
that the granting and accepting of the favor is
mutually a pleasure.
Letters refusing a favor should be very kindly
worded, and while expressing regret at your
inability to comply with the request, state the
reason why.
Requesting the Loan of a Book.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, Jan. 1, 18 .
DEABBEBTHA:
Will yon be so kind as to loan me, for a few days, "How
I Found Livingstone " ? By BO doing, you will greatly oblige,
Your Friend,
NANNIE WHITE.
Reply Granting the Favor.
WEDNESDAY MOBNING, Jan. 1, 18 .
DEAR NANNIE:
I send you the book with pleasure, and hope you will
enjoy its perusal as much as I did. I shall be over to see you next
Thursday afternoon.
Affectionately Tours,
BERTHA.
Requesting a Loan of Money.
LISBON, ILL., Feb. 2, 18 .
FRIEND BAKER:
Will you do me the kindness to loan me one hundred
dollars until Wednesday of next week? Having several large collec-
tions to make during the next three days, I may return the loan before
then. Yours Truly,
GEORGE HASKINS.
Answer Refusing the Request.
LISBON, ILL., Feb. 2, 18.
FRIEND HASKINS:
I regret that all the money I have at liberty I am
compelled to use this afternoon; else I would comply with your
request with pleasure. Respectfully,
JOHN BAKER.
Requesting a Letter of Introduction.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS., March 4, 18.
FRIEND RICH :
I start for Boston to-morrow, to make arrangements
for our Excursion. I shall arrange to have the journey extend as far
as the Holy Land. Be so kind, if you please, as to give me a letter of
introduction to Prof. Wm. Kidder, whom I hope, also, to enlist in the
scheme.
With warmest regards to your family, I remain,
Very Truly Yours,
HENRY FRENCH.
Reply Granting the Request.
SPARTA, R. I., March 6, 18.
DEAR FRENCH:
I enclose, with pleasure, the letter to Prof. Kidder,
who, I think, will be pleased to join us. Wishing you much success.
I am Yours Truly,
BARTON RICH..
Requesting the Loan of an Opera Glass.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, April 7, 18.
DEAR MABEL:
Accompanied by cousin Fred and Jennie Masters, I am
going to the theater to-night, and in behalf of Fred I wish you would
loan me vour opera glass for the evening.
BECKIE HOWELL.
Answer Refusing the Request.
THURSDAY, April 7, 18.
DEAR BECKIE:
Charlie Hackney called and borrowed my glass about
an hour since. Otherwise I would take the greatest pleasure in grant-
ing your request. Wishing you a delightful evening, I am,
Your Devoted Friend,
MABEL GALE.
FRIEND GODABD:
Requesting the Loan of a Pistol.
FRIDAY MORN., May 8, 18 .
Please loan me your pistol this forenoon, and oblige
JOHN OGDON.
Reply Granting the Request.
FRIDAY, May 8, 13.
FRIEND JOHN:
Accept the pistol. Beware that you do not get hurt. I
shall want it to-morrow. Truly Yours,
BEN GODARD.
LETTERS ACCOMPANYING GIFTS.
105
Letters Accompanying Gifts.
, SUALLY, in sending
gifts, it is custom-
ary to accompany
the same with a
prettily written
note. Such letters,
with their answers,
are very "brief, and
are usually written in the third per-
son, unless among relatives or very
intimate friends.
Though a reply should be given
immediately, no haste need be made
in repaying the gift, else it would
seem that you feel the obligation,
and will experience relief by paying
the debt.
Accompanying a Betrothal Gift of a Ring.
No. 84 ELDRIDGE COURT, Jan. 1, 18.
DEAR ANNIE :
Will yon accept the accompanying
ring, and wear it as a pledge of the undying affection
of
Yours Constantly,
WILLIAM.
Reply to the Foregoing.
No. 8 ST., Jan. 2, 18-.
DEAR WILLIAM:
Your beautiful gift is on my finger,
where it will be ever worn as a token of your love.
Yours Truly,
ANNIE.
Form of Letter Accompanying Photographs.
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106
LETTERS ACCOMPANYING GIFTS.
Answer to the Foregoing.
JACKSON, Miss., Oct. 25, 18.
DEAR EMILY:
I regret that we are not to have the anticipated
visit from you this spring. We are very thankful for the photographs,
however, if we can do no better. We regard them very life-like in
expression and truthful in representation. When baby is a few weeks
older we will group ourselves together, and you shall see us as we are.
Our love to all your family, and remember me as
Your Constant Friend,
HELEN STANFORD.
Accompanying a Book sent by the Author.
SPRINGDALE, N. J., June 1, 18.
Miss Harmon will please accept the accompanying volume as a token
of the high esteem and regard of the Author.
ARTHUR WELLS.
Miss MABTHA HARMON.
Answer to the Foregoing.
No. 9 - ST., Aug. 2, 18-.
Miss Harmon presents her regards to Mr. Wells, and accepts with
much gratification his highly esteemed and valuable gift.
ARTIIUB WELLS, ESQ.
Accompanying a Bouquet of Flowers to a Lady.
Will Miss Beveridge honor Mr. Haines by carrying the accompany-
ing flowers to the concert this evening?
Answer to the Foregoing.
Miss Beveridge's compliments and thanks to Mr. Haines. His beau-
tiful and fragrant gift will be a welcome addition to her toikt for this
evening.
Accompanying a Birthday Gift.
BELVIDERE, ILL., Dec. 10, 18.
FRIEND DAVID :
Sixty years ago, to-day, you and I exchanged
birthday greetings, then in our twentieth year. How the years have
flown by since then, sprinkling our heads with snow, and finally cover-
ing them with white ! You will please accept this staff as an evidence
that time cannot dim the unchanging friendship of
Your Friend,
JOSEPH BARLOW.
Answer to the Foregoing.
FREEPORT, ILL., Dec. 10, 18.
MY FRIEND JOSEPH :
Yonr very valuable and welcome gift came
to-day. I lean on it, and look back. The noonday of our life has passed.
Gradually we are descending the slope towards the going down of our
life's sun. It is appointed for all to reach life's meridian, stand there
for a little while, ami go down on the other side. Youth may not be
recovered here, but I doubt not that we may be young again in that
bourne towards which we are fast passing. During my remaining
years I will cherish your gift. Accept iny warmest thanks, and remem-
ber me as
Your Constant Friend,
DAVID BINNINGER.
Accompanying a Donation to a Clergyman.
To THE REV. WASHINGTON SMITH,
Pastor of the th St. M. E. Church.
Dear Sir:
Will you confer upon us the great pleasure of
appropriating to your own use the accompanying check? It is pre-
sented by your many friends in your congregation, as a slight token
of the very high esteem in which yoii are held by the people, as a
Christian gentleman and a most eloquent and instructive preacher.
Trusting that its acceptance will afford you as much pleasure as is
given us in the presentation, we are,
Very Respectfully,
MAUTIN FULLER,
WM. B. KING, \- Com. of Presentation.
CUAS. H. SNOW.
Answer to the Foregoing.
ST. Louis, Mo., Jan. 1, 18.
MESSRS. MARTIN FULLER, WM. B. KINO AND CUAS. II. SNOW.
Gentlemen:
Your very kind and courteous letter, accompanied
by your valuable testimonial, is received, for which please ampt my
grate, ful acknowledgments. The gift itself, however, is not more
valued than the golden words of sympathy and encouragement that
accompany its presentation. Trusting that, through God's blessing, I
may be able to serve the generous donors as acceptably in the future
as your testimonial leads me to suppose I have in the past, 1 am.
Your very Obedii nt Servant,
WASHINGTON SMITH.
Accompanying a Gift to a Superintendent upon Retirement.
CHICAGO, ILL., Feb. 2, 18.
MR. ARTHUR P. STEVENS,
Dear Sir:
The undersigned, employees of the Northwestern
Sheet Lead and Zinc Works, deeply regretting your departure from
among us, desire your acceptance of the accompanying memorial, in
testimony of our affection and respect for you as a gentleman and a
mechanic, and as a faint expression of our appreciation of vour kindly
efforts to render our connection with this manufactory, not only
pleasant and agreeable to ourselves, but profitable to the company.
Deeply regretting that our connection must be severed, we shall
gratefully remember our association in the past, and hope always to
be held in pleasurable remembrance by you.
(SIGNED BY THE EMPLOYEES.)
Answer to the Foregoing.
CHICAGO, ILL., Feb. 3, 18.
To THE EMPLOYEES OP THE NORHWESTERN SHEET LEAD AND
ZINC WORKS.
Gentlemen, :
I am in receipt of your kind letter and testimonial.
Wherever fortune may cast my lot, I shall never cease to remember
the pleasant associations of the past few years, and the many kind
attentions I have received at your hands. If our relations and labors
have been pleasant, I do not forget that they were largely made so by
your always generous efforts and willing co-operation.
I will ever cherish your beautiful gift as a memorial of our pleasant
years together, and can only wish that each of you, when occupying
positions of trust, may be as warmly supported and as ably assisted by
those in your charge, as I have been since my connection with your-
selves. Thanking you for this testimonial and your generous words
of approval, I remain,
Your Friend,
ARTHUR P. STEVENS.
LETTERS TO RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
107
RITE letters to friends
and relatives very often.
Asa rule, the more frequent such
letters, the more minute they are
in giving particulars, and the longer
you make them, the better.
The absent husband should write a letter
at least once a week. Some husbands make
it a rule to write a brief letter home at the close
of every clay.
The absent child need not ask " Do they miss
me at home ? " Be sure that they do. Write those
relatives a long letter, often, descriptive of your jour-
neys and the scenes with which you are becoming familiar.
And, if the missive from the absent one is dearly cherished,
let the relatives at home remember that doubly dear is the
letter from the hallowed hearthstone of the home fireside, where the
dearest recollections of the heart lie garnered. Do not fail to write very
promptly to the one that is away. Give all the news. Go into all the little
particulars, just as you would talk. After you have written up matters of
general moment, come clown to the little personal gossip that is of particular
interest. Give the details fully about Sallie Williams marrying John Hunt, and her parents
being opposed to the match. Be explicit about the new minister, how many sociables you
have a month, and the general condition of affairs among your intimate acquaintances.
Do n't forget to be very minute about things at home. Be particular to tell of "bub," and