Rapidity—Letters of Introduction—Form Suitable for Ordinary Purposes—Specimen of Letters Introducing a Person in Search of a Business Situation, Place of Residence, etc., etc.—Introduction of Artists, Professional Men, etc.—Presenting a Celebrity by Letter—Proper Attention to Titles, Modes of abbreviating Titles, etc., etc.—Letters of Introduction to be unsealed—Manner of Delivering Letters of Introduction—Cards, Envelopes, Written Messages, etc., proper on such Occasions—Appointments and due Courtesy, etc.—Form of Letter to a Lady of Fashion—Etiquette in regard to Addresses—Letters Presenting Foreigners—Personal Introductions—Common Neglect of Etiquette in this respect—Proper Mode of Introducing Young Persons, or those of inferior social position—Of Introducing Men to Women, very Young Ladies, etc.—Voice and Manner on such Occasions—Explanations due to Strangers—Common Social Improprieties—American Peculiarity—Hotel Registers, etc.—Courtesy due to Relations as well as to Strangers—Impropriety of indiscriminate Introductions—Preliminary Ceremonies among Men—In the Street—At Dinners—Evening-Parties—Receptions—Conventional Rules subject to Changes, dictated by good-sense—Supremacy of the Law of Kindness—Visiting Cards—European Fashion of Cards—Style usual in America—Place of Residence—Phrases for Cards—Business Cards: Ornaments, Devices, Color, Size, Legibility, etc.—Letters of Recommendation—Moral Characteristic—Proper Style of Letters of Condolence—Form of Letters of Congratulation—Admissibility of Brevity—Letters to Superiors—Ceremonious Form for such Communications—Proper Mode of Addressing Entire Strangers—Common Error in this respect—Punch's Sarcasm—Diplomats and Public Functionaries should be Models in Letter-writing—An Enigma—Diplomatic Letters—Letters of Friendship and Affection—General Requisites of Epistolary Composition—Letters a Means of conferring and Receiving Pleasure—Distinctive Characteristic of the Epistolary Style—Peccadilloes—Aids facilitating the Practice in this Accomplishment—Notes of Invitation, Acceptance, Regret—Observance of Usage—Simplicity the best ton and taste—Etiquette with regard to Invitations to Dinner—Courtesy in Matters of Social Life—Error of an American Author—Ceremony properly preceding taking an uninvited Friend to a Party—Abstract good-breeding the best Test of Propriety—Proper form of Ceremonious Notes of Invitation—Use of the Third Person in writing Notes—Mailed Letters—Local Addresses, Form of Signature, etc., etc.—Requisites of Letter-Superscription—Writing-Materials—Small Sheets, Margins, etc.—Colored Paper, Fanciful Ornaments, Initials, &c.—Envelopes and Superscription—Wax, Seals, etc.—European Letters—Rule—Promptitude in Letter-writing—Study of Published Models beneficial to the Young—Scott, Byron, Moore, Horace Walpole, Washington—Sir W. W. Pepys, etc.—Curiosities of the Epistolary Style—Anticipated Pleasure,

ILLUSTRATIONS.

LETTER IX.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS.