The private letter by mail to accompany the foregoing: 

    Dearest Caroline: 

Mildred West, for whom I wrote to you this morning, is a very close friend of mine.  She is going to New York with her only daughter—­who, in spite of wanting a college education, is as pretty as a picture, with plenty of come-hither in the eye—­so do not be afraid that the typical blue-stocking is to be thrust upon Pauline!  The mother is an altogether lovely person and I know that you and she will speak the same language—­if I didn’t, I wouldn’t give her a letter to you.  Do go to see her as soon as you can; she will be stopping at the Fitz-Cherry and probably feeling rather lost at first.  She wants to take an apartment for the winter and I told her I was sure you would know the best real estate and intelligence offices, etc., for her to go to.

    I hope I am not putting you to any trouble about her, but she is
    really a darling and you will like her I know.

    Devotedly yours,
        Sylvia.

Directions for procedure upon being given (or receiving) a letter of introduction will be found on pages 16 and 17.

=THE THIRD PERSON=

In other days when even verbal messages began with the “presenting of compliments,” a social note, no matter what its length or purport, would have been considered rude, unless written in the third person.  But as in a communication of any length the difficulty of this form is almost insurmountable (to say nothing of the pedantic effect of its accomplishment), it is no longer chosen—­aside from the formal invitation, acceptance and regret—­except for notes to stores or subordinates.  For example: 

    Will B. Stern & Co. please send (and charge) to Mrs. John H.
    Smith, 2 Madison Avenue,

        1 paper of needles No. 9
        2 spools white sewing Cotton No. 70
        1 yard of material (sample enclosed).

    January 6.

To a servant: 

Mrs. Eminent wishes Patrick to meet her at the station on Tuesday the eighth at 11.03.  She also wishes him to have the shutters opened and the house aired on that day, and a fire lighted in the northwest room.  No provisions will be necessary as Mrs. Eminent is returning to town on the 5.16.

    Tuesday, March 1.

Letters in the third person are no longer signed unless the sender’s signature is necessary for identification, or for some action on the part of the receiver, such as

    Will Mr. Cash please give the bearer six yards of material to
    match the sample enclosed, and oblige,

    Mrs. John H. Smith.[A]

[Footnote A:  A note in 3rd person is the single occasion when a married woman signs “Mrs.” before her name.]

=THE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION=

A letter of recommendation for membership to a club is addressed to the secretary and should be somewhat in this form: