2. Commence the complimentary address on the line next beneath one inch from the left side of the sheet.

3. The body of the letter should be commenced nearly under the last letter of the com. plimentary address.

4. Begin the complimentary closing on the line next beneath the body of the letter, one half of the distance from the left to the right side of the page.

5. The center of the signature may be under the last letter of the complimentary closing.

6. The name and address of the person written to should come on the line beneath the signature, at the left of the sheet.

Kinds of Paper to Use.

Be particular to use a sheet appropriate in shape to the purpose for which it is employed. Paper is now manufactured of every size adapted to the wants of any article written. The names of the various kinds of paper in general use are Legal-cap, Bill-paper, Foolscap, Letter-paper, Commercial-note, Note-paper and Billet.

In the writing of all Legal Documents, such as wills, taking of testimony, articles of agreement,

etc., legal cap is generally used, characterized by a red line running from top to bottom of the sheet.

For Bills, paper is commonly ruled expressly for the purpose, and generally bears the name and business advertisement of the person using the same, at the top.

When writing Notes, Orders, Receipts, Compositions, Petitions, Subscription Headings, etc., foolscap paper is used.

For the ordinary friendship letter or other

long letter, it is best to use letter paper, which in size is four-fifths the length of foolscap.

The common Business Letter should be so brief as generally to require but one page of commercial note, which is somewhat narrower and shorter than letter paper.

Note and billet paper are the smallest sheets made, being suitable for Notes of Invitation, Parents' Excuses for children to teachers, and other written exercises that are very brief.

Etiquette of Letter Writing.

As a rule, every letter, unless insulting in its character, requires an answer. To neglect to answer a letter, when written to, is as uncivil as to neglect to reply when spoken to.

In the reply, acknowledge first the receipt of the letter, mentioning its date, and afterwards consider all the points requiring attention.

If the letter is to be very brief, commence sufficiently far from the top of the page to give a nearly equal amount of blank paper at the bottom of the sheet when the letter is ended.

Should the matter in the letter continue beyond the first page, it is well to commence a little above the middle of the sheet, extending as far as necessary on the other pages.

It is thought impolite to use a half sheet of paper in formal letters. As a matter of economy and convenience for business purposes, however, it is customary to have the card of the business man printed at the top of the sheet, and a single leaf is used.

In writing a letter, the answer to which is of more benefit to yourself than the person to whom you write, enclose a postage stamp for the reply.

Letters should be as free from erasures, interlineations, blots and postscripts as possible. It is decidedly better to copy the letter than to have these appear.

A letter of introduction or recommendation, should never be sealed, as the bearer to whom it is given ought to know the contents.

Titles.

T is customary, in the heading of petitions to persons in official positions, in the complimentary address of a letter, and in superscriptions, to give each their proper title. These are divided into titles of respect, military, and professional titles.

Titles of respect are:- Mr., from Master; Mrs., from Mistress; Miss, from the French De-moi-selle; Esq., from Esquire, an English Justice of the Peace, or member of the legal profession, but applied very indiscriminately to males throughout this country generally.

Two titles of the same class should not be applied to the same name. Thus, in addressing John Smith, do not say Mr. John Smith, Esq.; though we may say Mr. John Smith, or John Smith, Esq.

If the profession of the person addressed be known, the professional title alone should be used. If the person be entitled to two titles the highest is given.

Titles of respect are usually placed before the name; as Mr., Hon., Rev., Dr., and military titles.

Professional titles sometimes precede and sometimes follow the name; as Dr. John Smith, or John Smith, M.D.; Prof. John Smith, or John Smith, A.M.

The following list illustrates the various titles used for the different ranks, among individuals, either in the complimentary address or superscription on the envelope.

To Royalty.

"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty." "To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty."

To his Royal Highness, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales."

In like manner all the other members, male and female, of the Royal family are addressed. To Nobility.

"To his Grace the Duke of Argyle."

"To the Most Noble the Marquis of Westminster."
"To the Right Honorable the Earl of Derby."
"To the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Sidney."
"To the Honorable Baron Cranworth."

The wives of noblemen have the same titles

as their husbands; thus,

"To her Grace the Duchess of Argyle."

"To the Most Noble the Marchioness of Westminster."
"To the Right Honorable the Countess of Derby."
"To the Right Honorable the Viscountess Sidney."
To the Honorable the Baroness Cranworth."

The title of Honorable, in Great Britain, is applied to the younger sons of noblemen (the elder son taking, by courtesy, the title next in rank below that of his father.) It is also given to members of parliament and to certain persons holding positions of honor and trust.

To Baronets.

"Sir Walter Scott, Bart."

To Knights.

"Sir William Armstrong, Kt."

NVELOPES that are perfectly plain, for ordinary letter writing, are regarded as in much the best taste. Ladies do well to use white. Buff, light straw color, or manila answer for business purposes, though it is always in good taste to use white.

The upper side of the envelope is that containing the flap. Care should be observed, in writing the superscription on the letter, to have the same right side up.

Extensive practice enables business men to write comparatively straight upon the envelope, without the aid of a line. The inexperienced penman may be aided in writing on the buff colored envelope by lead pencil lines, which should never be used, however, unless completely erased by rubber after the ink is dry.

Care should be taken to write upon the envelope very plainly, giving the full name and title of the person addressed, with place of residence written out fully, including town, county, State, and country if it goes abroad. The designation of the street, number, drawer, etc., when written upon the letter, is explained elsewhere.

For light colored envelopes, a piece of paper a little smaller than the envelope may be ruled with black ink over the blue lines, thus, and placed inside.

straight.