(Miss) Sarah Robinson Smith.

=THE SUPERSCRIPTION=

Formal invitations are always addressed to Mr. Stanley Smith; all other personal letters may be addressed to Stanley Smith, Esq.  The title of Esquire formerly was used to denote the eldest son of a knight or members of a younger branch of a noble house.  Later all graduates of universities, professional and literary men, and important landholders were given the right to this title, which even to-day denotes a man of education—­a gentleman.  John Smith, esquire, is John Smith, gentleman.  Mr. John Smith may be a gentleman; or may not be one.  And yet, as noted above, all engraved invitations are addressed “Mr.”

Never under any circumstances address a social letter or note to a married woman, even if she is a widow, as Mrs. Mary Town.  A widow is still Mrs. James Town.  If her son’s wife should have the same name, she becomes Mrs. James Town, Sr., or simply Mrs. Town.

A divorced woman, if she was the innocent person, retains the right if she chooses, to call herself Mrs. John Brown Smith, but usually she prefers to take her own surname.  Supposing her to have been Mary Simpson, she calls herself Mrs. Simpson Smith.  If a lady is the wife or widow of “the head of a family” she may call herself Mrs. Smith, even on visiting cards and invitations.

The eldest daughter is Miss Smith; her younger sister, Miss Jane Smith.

Invitations to children are addressed, Miss Katherine Smith and Master Robert Smith.

Do not write “The Messrs. Brown” in addressing a father and son.  “The Messrs. Brown” is correct only for unmarried brothers.

Although one occasionally sees an envelope addressed to “Mr. and Mrs. Jones,” and “Miss Jones” written underneath the names of her parents, it is better form to send a separate invitation addressed to Miss Jones alone.  A wedding invitation addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Jones and family is not in good taste.  Even if the Jones children are young, the Misses Jones should receive a separate envelope, and so should Master Jones.

=ONE LAST REMARK=

Write the name and address on the envelope as precisely and as legibly as you can.  The post-office has enough to do in deciphering the letters of the illiterate, without being asked to do unnecessary work for you!

=BUSINESS LETTERS=

Business letters written by a private individual differ very little from those sent out from a business house.  A lady never says “Yours of the 6th received and contents noted,” or “Yours to hand,” nor does she address the firm as “Gentlemen,” nor does she ever sign herself “Respectfully.”  A business letter should be as brief and explicit as possible.  For example: 

Tuxedo Park
New York
May 17, 1922

I. Paint & Co.,
22 Branch St.,
New York.

Dear Sirs: 

Your estimate for painting my dining-room, library, south
bedroom, and dressing-room is satisfactory, and you may proceed
with the work as soon as possible.