If people wish to have their letters perfectly secure from observation it is better to seal them with wax, which cannot be broken without exposure. The ordinary envelope is easily opened, and sealed again, leaving no trace of the fact; though a very heavy fine is imposed as a penalty on any one convicted of opening a letter, that is not authorized to do so.

In the United States, a letter not called for within a certain length of time is then advertised, after which it is held thirty days, when, no owner being found, the letter is forwarded to the Dead-Letter Office at Washington, where it is opened. If the address of the person who wrote the letter can there be learned, the letter is then returned to the writer.

If the name or address be written or printed upon the envelope, instead of going to the Dead-Letter Office, the letter will be returned to the writer at the expiration of thirty days. If

N. Y.

desirous of having it sooner returned, the writer should add, "Return in 5 days," or "10 days," etc., as seen in the letter of W. B. Keen, Cooke & Co., shown above.

It is safest for persons sending letters to place stamps upon the envelopes themselves, and not depend upon postmasters or their clerks to do so, as, in their haste, they sometimes forget directions.

It has been suggested that the State be written first upon the envelope; thus,

MISSOURI,

CORNING,

JOHN SMITH. As the State to which the letter is directed, is, however, no more conspicious at the top of the superscription than at the bottom, there is no advantage gained in this mode of address, on the score of legibility.

2. Business letters should be promptly answered.

3. Use a clear, distinct writing, avoiding all flourish of penmanship

or language.

4. Come at once to your subject, and state it so clearly that it will not be necessary to guess your meaning.

5. Give town, county, State and date explicitly. It is frequently of great importance

to know when a letter was written.

6. Read your letter carefully when finished, to see that you have made no omissions and no mistakes. Also carefully examine your envelope, to see that it is rightly directed, with postage stamp affixed.

7. Copy all business letters of your own by hand, or with the copying press made for the

purpose.

8. Send money by Draft, P.O. Money-order, or Express, taking a receipt therefor; thus you have something to show for money, guaranteeing you against loss. Always state in your letter the amount of money you send, and by what

means sent.

9. Write date and by whom sent across the end of each letter received, and file for future reference, fastening the letters together with rubber bands, or binding in a letter-file adapted to the purpose. The possession of a letter

understanding.

Ordering Goods.

In ordering goods, state very explicitly the amount, kind, quality, color, shape, size, etc., and on what terms wanted. Whether you wish the same sent by freight or express, and what express. Much inconvenience is experienced among business men because of a neglect to designate explicitly what is wanted..

Should the writer wish to make suggestions, ask questions, or add other matter to the letter which is foreign to the subject, such words should be placed entirely separate from the order. Of fifty or a hundred letters received to-day by the merchant, that one which is mixed up with complaints, enquiries, etc., will probably be laid over till tomorrow, or until time can be spared to read it through. Had the order been explicitly stated, and the suggestions placed elsewhere, the goods would have been forwarded immediately. It is, in fact, better to write the order on a separate sheet from the other matter.

Send your order, also, early enough to give yourself plenty of time in which to receive the goods before they are needed.

Books, being a common article ordered, may be taken as an example showing the importance of giving a careful description of the goods wanted. To illustrate: be explicit in giving name of book, name of author, by whom pub

There

lished, style of binding, price at which it is advertised, etc. Thus, a careless person ordering of Harper & Brothers a United States History will say, "Send me a United States History." Of course the first query of the shipping clerk is, "Whose history?" are many histories of the United States published by as many different authors, and the clerk is liable to send the one not wanted, in which case the person ordering is very likely to unjustly blame Harper & Brothers.

If the writer should say, "Send me a copy of Willard's History of the United States, by Emma Willard, published by A. S. Barnes & Co., bound in cloth," there would be no liability to mistake. The following will serve as sample forms.

Form of Letter Ordering Books.
ROCKFORD, ILL., March 1, 1873.

MESSRS. JANSEN, MCCLURG & Co.,

Chicago, Ill.,

Dear Sirs:

Having recently commenced business for myself, with fair prospects of success, I shall be pleased to open an account with your house, and trust it will be to our mutual advantage. Should you think favorably of the matter, you will please fill the accompanying order with the least possible delay and on your best terms.

For testimonials, I refer you to Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., of your city, by whom I have been, until recently, employed; but as this is my first transaction with your house, upon forwarding me an invoice of goods and deducting your usual discount for cash, I will remit a sight draft on the First National Bank of your city, for the amount, by return mail. Expecting your usual prompt attention, I am, Yours Respectfully, HENRY MAYNARD.

Enclosed find draft for $48.75, for which please send, by American Express,

10 Tennyson's Poems, Published by Harper & Bros. 10 Thirty Years in the Harem. "

$1.25 $12.50 1.50 15.00 10 Literature and Art, by. Fuller." Fowler & Wells. 1.00 10.00 5 Getting on in the World, Mathews. S. C. Griggs & Co. 2.25 11.25

$48.75 Thanking you for the promptitude with which you have filled my orders heretofore, I am, Very Respectfully,

CASH DOWN.

Boston, Mass., Dear Sir:

I have taken occasion to enquire in relation to the extent and number of Clothing stores in this place, and am happy to inform you that, while that department of trade is very fairly represented, there seems to be a good opening for a first class store, such as your house would undoubtedly establish.

There is also a large store just vacated, in the center of the village, one of the best locations in the town, which can be had at reasonable rent. Hoping that you may carry out your design of locating here, and trusting that you may realize your expectations, I am, Yours Truly,

CHAS. H. WILLIAMS.

Dear Sirs:

Having heard much said in praise of your beautiful city, particularly concerning railroad privileges, church and educational advantages, I have concluded to make your town my permarent place of abode, if I can locate myself aright, inasmuch as I have a large family to educate, and the numerous lines of railway radiating from your city will afford me the desired accommodations in my traveling agency.

My object in writing you at present is to learn your best terms for a residence containing not less than ten rooms, having from six to ten acres of land attached, situated not over a mile from the post office. An immediate answer will oblige,

Your Obedient Servant,

Dear Sir:

DAVENPORT, IA., Jan. 15, 18-.

Understanding that you are a shareholder in some of the principal railways, and on intimate terms with several of the directors, I venture to solicit your kind interest in behalf of my eldest son, William, now in his twentieth year. His education has been varied and useful, and his character, so far as I know, is above reproach.

For several years he has expressed a desire to enter the employ of a railroad company, and under the circumstances I venture to write to you, in the hope that, should you have it in your power to oblige me, you will kindly intercede in his favor. By so doing you will confer a lasting obligation both on him and me. I remain, sir, Your Ob'd't Servant,

Your letter of the 4th instant is received and contents noted. Agreeable to your request, we have carefully examined our list of real estate for sale, and find that we can accommodate you, if the price is satisfactory. We have two places on our list that very nearly answer your description, either of which we think would please you. One contains eleven acres, with large brick house, a good barn and other out-buildings. The place is well supplied with fruit trees, and the grounds about the house very handsomely laid off; distance from the post office, about three-quarters of a mile; price, $16,000. The other includes four acres, house of wood, barn and all necessary buildings very complete; the whole occupying a very commanding and beautiful location, distant about haif a mile from the business center; price, $11,000.

We shall be happy to show you these places, or any others at our command, when you visit our town, and trust that such inducements may be offered you when you examine the advantages of residence here, as will fully confirm your already favorably expressed opinion of our city. Hoping to meet you soon, we are

Yours, Very Respectfully,

Recommending a Successor in Business.

MILWAUKEE, Wis., Dec. 24, 18-.

MESSRS. BELL & HARDY, Dear Sirs: We flatter ourselves that there are many friends among our connection who will regret that we are on the point of relinquishing business. In doing so our premises and stock of goods will be transferred to the hands of Messrs. Williams & Co., who will in future carry on the business on the same approved system and extensive scale as ourselves, provided they can rely upon receiving the patronage of our connection; in the hope of which, it is our pleasure and duty to present these gentlemen to your notice. We can not speak too highly of the confidence we feel in their liberal mode of conducting mercantile transactions; and, in the hope that they may be honored with the same countenance received by ourselves from your respected firm, we beg to sign ourselves,

Your Most Obedient Servants,

HOPE, GOOD & CO.

Notice of having Forwarded Goods.

Yours Respectfully,

Answer to the Foregoing.

MR. CHAS. W. CANFIELD,

BIG STRANGER, KANSAS, Aug. 15, 18-. Toledo, Ohio,

Dear Sir:

Your welcome letter was received yesterday. I can assure you that I will be only too happy to furnish you all the information you desire relative to the prospects in this portion of Uncle Sam's domains.

I have now been two years in this place, and I can truly say that these years have been the happiest of my life. True, we have endured some hardships incident to pioneer life; but the glorious freedom from the frivolities of fashion, and the formalities of aristocratic life, common to the old towns in the East, together with the pleasure one takes in making new improvements, all have combined to render our family perfectly delighted with the country.

For a quarter of the money in your possession, you can purchase all the land you will desire to cultivate; the remainder you can loan hereabouts, on bond and mortgage, at good interest.

The climate here is healthy and invigorating; the soil good, with running streams in sufficient abundance to water most of the farms. Plenty of building material and fuel can be had in the timber skirting the streams; and the prospect for the ultimate opening of the land in this section to a ready market, through several lines of railway now in contemplation, is very flattering. At present, however, the nearest station to my farm, on the stage route, is Chesterfield, thirtyfour miles distant, at which place I will take great pleasure in meeting you, with my team, at any time you may appoint.

A very excellent farm, adjoining mine, can be bought for five dollars ($5) per acre. One corner of the land is crossed by a never-failing stream, with considerable timber along the same.

You will have to rough it for a little while after you arrive; but the neighbors will all turn out to aid in getting up your log house, after which you will be at home" under your own vine and fig tree."

We have two rooms in our house, and till your house is completed we will give one of them to your family. It will seem a little odd at first, for a fashionable family of six or eight persons to occupy one room, with wolf and deer skins for quilts and coverlets; but, by-andby, when the young ladies find they are in just as good style as anybody else, they will dismiss their fastidiousness, and think it jolly fun. These privations, that we at first endure, are necessary, perhaps, to enable us to appreciate the fine homes which we all expect to have in the good time coming. Hoping to have the pleasure of welcoming yourself and family as neighbors, I am,

Yours Very Truly,

MARTIN FULLER.