Produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
THE BOOK OF GOOD MANNERS is a complete and authentic authorityon every single phase of social usage as practiced in America. The authorhas compiled the matter in dictionary form in order to give the reader thedesired information as briefly and clearly as possible, and with the leastpossible effort in searching through the pages.
ACCEPTING OR DECLINING INVITATIONS. See INVITATIONS,
ACCEPTING OR DECLINING.
ACCIDENTS. See STREET ETIQUETTE—MEN—ACCIDENTS.
ADDRESS. The address of a person may be stamped
on the stationery.
If the address is stamped, it is not customary
to stamp also the crest or monogram.
MEN. A man should be addressed as Mr. James J, Wilson, or James J. Wilson, Esq. Either the Mr. or the Esq. may be used, but not the two together.
The title belonging to a man should be given. It is not customary to use Mr. or Esq. when Jr. or Sr. is used.
WOMEN. A woman's name should always have
the Miss or Mrs.
A woman should never be given her husband's
official title, as Mrs. Judge Wilson.
If a woman has a title of her own, she
should be addressed as Dr. Minnie Wilson,
when the letter is a professional one. If
a social letter, this should be Miss Minnie
Wilson, or Mrs. Minnie Wilson.
ADDRESSING PERSONS. Young girls should be spoken of as Minnie Wilson, and not as Miss Minnie, but are personally addressed as Miss Minnie. Only the greatest intimacy warrants a man in addressing a young girl as Minnie.
Parents should introduce their daughter as My daughter Minnie, but should speak of them before servants as Miss Minnie.
A married woman should be spoken of as
Mrs. Agnes Wilson, and personally addressed
as Mrs. Wilson.
ADDRESSING AND SIGNING LETTERS. All answers to
invitations should be addressed to the party
issuing them.
Letters to a woman who is a comparative
stranger may begin My dear Mrs. Wilson,
and to a closer acquaintance Dear Mrs.
Wilson.
Letters to a man who is a comparative stranger may begin My dear Mr. Wilson, and to a closer acquaintance Dear Mr. Wilson.
For forms of addressing persons with titles,
as Mayor, see under that title—as, Mayor,
Governor.
The letters may end, Sincerely yours, or
Very truly yours, or I remain yours with
kindest regards.
The signature of a man should be John J.
Wilson or J. Jones Wilson.
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