Jean Wilde Clark

“ A striking monogram, combining the first letters of the full name or the first and last name is an enviable possession. A woman finds many schemes for its use in the marking of her underwear, table linen, etc., but its touch upon her stationery holds the greatest charm and gains her the credentials of the gently bred. ”

“ ONE MAY acquire the art of letter-writing. Few possess it. A glance down the page of a fair example of our correspondence finds it studded with personal "I's" and filled with household groans.
The Letter We Look for The letter which is a joyous thing, bringing with it a subtle touch of the sender, and conveying the sense of a personal chat, is the one we seek at the postman's ring. Many clever, fluent talkers become incoherent at the touch of ink. They cannot put themselves on paper and the non-expressive, disappointing type of letter is the result. ”

“ Invitation An invitation, no matter how informal, must be answered within a week and with certainty. Any delay, or doubtful expression that you think you can come, or will come if in town, is the height of ill breeding. Your hostess wishes to know exactly how many guests to expect, and your answer must be a positive one. The wording of acceptance or regret follows exactly that of the invitation and is addressed to the person who invites you. Invitations to informal affairs—small dinner, luncheon, or a week's end—may be written on note sheets and couched in the first person. ”

“ To give you some little idea of the importance of water in paper-making, it may be stated that it takes over one hundred gallons of artesian well water to make one pound of Crane's Linen Lawn.
This scrupulous searching cleanliness applies not only to the water. It applies to the mills themselves, to the work people and to the air itself. No soft coal is permitted to be burned in Dalton. The mills and all the machinery are spotless as your kitchen.
In paper-making eternal cleanliness is the price of success. ”

“ A plain white card monogramed in Christmas red or green with a written word of greeting, makes a pretty, new accompaniment to a gift, and carries a decided touch of personality. The use of these cards at any season for a thought to a friend cannot fail to be appreciated. ”

“ A bit of pasteboard and a line of script—its insignificance is a snare to the ignorant, a The Card delusion to the misinformed. Milady's visiting card guides her down the social path, and the correct choice in size, shape and kind is of the greatest import.
Quality The quality of the card is a matter which the standard stationer may decide. The best is none too good, for a poor paper speaks its fabric as does a shoddy velvet. ”

“ Still, we Americans enjoy a touch of distinction Democratic Crest which, lost to us through democracy, becomes the cult of individualism, the seal of ownership, the mark of belonging. This fondness takes form in name marking in the cipher motif and the graceful monogram. ”

“ The art of successful paper-making demands a uniform sheet. And not only uniformity in a single sheet, but each sheet should be exactly like another in texture, finish and color, so that envelopes, for instance, shall match the paper that goes with them.
Absolutely White Paper But color is one of the most important things in selecting paper, and especially when that color is the color which is really absence of color—in other words, white.
So many things pass as white that are not white, that few people realize what a real white is. Most whites have in them some color. ”

“ A card should be sent on the day of the wedding, if one cannot attend, or if the invitation includes the reception, at the hour of receiving.
Wedding Gifts Wedding gifts are addressed to the bride in her maiden name, and should reach her before the day of the wedding. The sender's card is always enclosed.
Gifts are not so obligatory as heretofore, and are hardly sent unless the invitation includes a reception card. The bride must acknowledge all presents herself, writing a graceful, cordial note of a few lines, and neglecting no gift, however small, before she leaves. ”

“ Card Etiquette A married woman leaves one of her own and two of her husband's cards when calling on another married woman. A woman never leaves her card for the men of the household. The custom of leaving a large number of cards is quite obsolete. Not more than three is a good rule to follow. One card for the Misses Brown includes the unmarried daughters of the family.
First Calls First calls should be returned within a fortnight, or upon the first "At Home" day.
Who makes the first call is a matter based on the existing social rule of the town or city. ”

“ Eccentricities, failings or personalities should not be touched upon, and only the kindly phrase be used which may pave the way for the stranger, or open a social door. The friend who bears the note should know under what terms she is introduced, and it is a pretty courtesy to read the contents, or ask to have it read. ”

“ Kid Finish Another kind of finish is seen at its best in Crane's Kid Finish, which has all the effect to the touch of a fine kid glove. This is done by pressing the sheet between plates of highly-polished steel. Other finishes are obtained in other ways, and are given appropriate names.
The principle of making writing paper is the same everywhere. Wherein the Crane papers excel is in that every step of the process is taken more carefully and every bit of material used is selected more carefully, and because years of experience have taught better ways of doing these things. ”

“ Letters of Condolence Letters of condolence are by far the most difficult form of written etiquette. One shrinks from touching another's grief, and yet there is no other way of sympathetic expression. ”

“ The great demand for a fabric-finished paper has given unusual popularity to Crane's Linen Lawn, so that today it is the most widely used fine writing paper.
Not everyone prefers a fabric-finished paper, nor is it necessary in order to be in good taste that you should use such a finish. ”

“ YOU OUGHT to know about writing paper—what it is that makes it fine and good. You ought to be able to select for your own use the paper that Trained Taste becomes you most and that is consistent with your social position, just as you select materials for a gown. ”

“ This is because the first essential to a white paper is cleanliness—not only cleanliness of air, but also cleanliness of water—and clear, clean air and pure, unsullied water are absolutely essential to producing the finest writing papers. ”

“ A woman's house address appears at the lower right corner of her card, her "At Home" day at the left. A receiving day never appears on a man's card. Should a woman use her visiting card as an invitation, she adds the date and hour in writing at the left corner. ”

“ In Washington the newcomer calls first, thus choosing her friends. An undesirable acquaintance may be dropped after the second visit, but the first call must be returned in person or by an invitation, which stands for a call. If one calls accompanied by a friend who is not on the hostess' calling list, her name is not presented, nor is her chance visit considered a call.
Visitors A man, in calling on a friend who is visiting at a house where he is not acquainted, leaves a card also for the hostess, but need not ask for her. ”

“ The Guest's Name The guest's name is written on both invitation and reception card, and should correctly be added on the church presentation card as well, but as this necessitates a vast amount of writing, it is often omitted. A few enterprising women, in some of the larger cities, have taken up the work of filling in the wedding cards and attend also to addressing, stamping and mailing at a nominal charge. ”

“ A man receiving an introductory letter puts the visitor up at his club and shows him some courtesy after a prompt call.
Introduction by Card A line of introduction on one's visiting card is often used by busy people, and is quite correct. It savors of haste, however, and is therefore in more general use along business than social lines. ”

“ A card for the large dance reads:
Actual Size 51⁄2 x 31⁄2
The word ball is never used except for an Assembly or charity dance. Cotillion or Dancing on the invitation is the proper form for the house reception. TheThe Debut debutante's name appears below her mother's on the invitation which introduces her to society. The wording should be:
Invitations for a large reception cover one's entire acquaintance. It is a mistake to exclude persons in mourning. After a short time it gives pleasure to feel they are not forgotten, but it must be understood that they cannot respond. ”

“ Good breeding directs following the custom of the country in which one resides. The delightfully talkative letter to one's friend and equal may not be headed at all, but assume the charming tone of a continued conversation, as: I am thinking, dear, how much I want to see you. ”

“ In answering, the wording should be: It gives much pleasure, not It will give.
A young girl does not invite men in her own name, but she may write informal notes on her own paper, saying that her mother or chaperon desires her to extend the invitation. ”

“ White Stamping The raised water stamping or embossed effect is simply attractive. The best taste for men's stationery is the unadorned plain square folded sheet of white paper; still this unobtrusive white stamping for crest or tiny monogram is quite permissible. ”

“ If you can make two people acquainted who are equally well known to you, who are sure to enjoy each other or who may gain mutual benefit from each other, it is charmingly courteous to offer the introductory note. ”

“ Texture is best studied by examining a sheet held to the light. The minute fibres which compose the paper should be so evenly arranged or felted together that the paper is all of one consistency, not mottled or clouded. ”

“ It creates that touch of buoyancy which can show a laugh for a tear, and excites the broad smile of amusement. It may be just the needed change in the point of view which helps the other woman through a weary day. Try it and see how quickly such a letter is answered.
Answering the Letter And speaking of answering, how many of us really do it? We catch up a sheet of paper, cover it with our own absorbing doings, add a hurried line of health inquiry and send it out. ”

“ Designing the Monogram The designer well versed in this work combines the letters so that each stands out clearly and is easily deciphered at a glance. Curling lines and waves which mean nothing, but only deceive the eyes, are never found in the best examples. ”

“ As the sheet goes forward it gets more and more like paper as more and more of the water drops out, until finally, between rollers, the last drop of water is squeezed out, and the paper is held together, bound, woven or felted into a tight, close, homogeneous fabric, absolutely uniform in color and consistency and perfectly white. ”

“ You know a piece of good lace when you see it. You know the difference between delicate, cobwebby Venetian or Irish Point made by hand and the coarser lace done on a machine. Your taste has been trained by observation and comparison. ”

“ The departing cook, the teething baby and the food one's husband cannot eat, are not all-absorbing topics to the recipient, and unless of a serious nature, should be left out, or touched on only in a humorous way. ”

“ The guests should include an equal number of people, and if a man invites, the chaperon's name is mentioned in the invitation. The theatre party is followed by a supper, which is of course stated in the note, or it may succeed an informal dinner. ”

“ Placing the Monogram The place of stamping is optional and depends largely on individual taste, but the full line of paper should show the same marking, a smaller die being often cut for the first size sheets or place cards. ”

“ Should a gift be delayed, however, until the eleventh hour, or arrive after her departure, she may acknowledge it upon her return, and add a word of apology, showing it was impossible to thank the giver at once. ”

“ The following scale shows the different widths of borders employed:
For those in Mourning The rules of mourning are not as strict as in past years. It is, however, incorrect to make calls or enter formal society within a year after the death of a near relative. ”

“ Such a letter closes with Yours very truly, and is signed, not typed, with the signature of the sender, or the name of the business firm.
Signatures Many married women use their title incorrectly. A woman does not use initials, or the superscription Mrs. ”

“ Franklin Smith
at dinner on Thursday, the fifth of January,
at seven o'clock.
Sixty-four Madison Avenue.
Less formal is the personal note in the first person: Will you and Mr. Brown give us the pleasure of your company? etc. ”

“ Invitations, for At Homes, 38; bride's shower, 36; card party, 40; children's party, 43; small dance, 32; dinner, 31; dinner dance, 41; engraved form for receptions, dinners, etc., 38; home dinner, 32; house party, 30; joint, 40; letters of, 30; theatre party, 31 ; weddings, 44; when to be sent, 37.
Letters of acceptance, 30; condolence, 34; introduction, 27; invitation, 30; regret, 30.
Letter-writing, the essence of a good letter, 18; the address, 26; closing, 25; date, 26; folding, 26; order of pages, 25.
Married women, use of title by, 23. ”