In obtaining an introductory letter to a public favorite, say
to a painter, for instance, ascertain before presenting it what
branch of the art he professes. Also, no one should presume
to request an introduction to an authoress if they are ignorant
whether she writes prose or verse. Not that they are expected
to talk to her immediately on literary subjects. Far from it.
But if they know nothing of her works they deserve no letter.
Letters of introduction should not be sealed. To do so is
rude and mean. If you wish to write on the same day to the
same person, take another sheet, write as long an epistle as you
please, seal it, and send it by mail.
It is best to deliver an introductory letter in person, as the
lady or gentleman whose civilities have been requested in your
behalf may thus be spared the trouble of calling at your lodg-
ings, with the risk of not finding you at home. This is very
likely to happen if you send instead of taking the letter your-
self. If you do send it, enclose a card with your address upon
it.
On farewell cards it is usual to write with a pencil the let-
ters'*T. T, L.," "to take leave;" or P. P. Q,;' ''pour prendre
ETIQUETTE. 47.
writing upon business exclusively your own, for instance, to
make a request, to ask for information, to petition for a favor,
or to solicit an autograph, it it but right not only to pay the
postage on your own letter, but to enclose a stamp for the an-
swer. This is always done by really polite and considerate
people. You have no right, when the benefit is entirely your
own, to cause any extra expense to the receiver of the letter
not even the cost of the postage back again.
Courtship. — By the custom of society, man has been awarded
the privilege of making the first advance towards matrimony,
it is the safest and happiest way for woman to leave the mat-
ter entirely in his hands. She should be so educated as to
consider that the great end of existence may be equally at-
tained in married or single life; and that no union but the
most perfect one is at all desirable. Matrimony should be
considered as an incident in life, which, if it comes at all, must
come without any contrivance of yours; and, therefore, you
may safely put aside all thoughts of it till some one forces the
subject upon your notice by professions of a particular in-
terest in you.
Lively, ingenious, conversable, charming girls often spoil
into dull, bashful, silent young ladies, and all because their
heads are full of nonsense about beaux and lovers. They
have a thousand thoughts and feelings which they would be
ashamed to confess, though not ashamed to entertain; and
their preoccupation with a subject which they had better let
entirely alone prevents their being the agreeable and rational
companions of the gentlemen of their acquaintance, which they
were designed to be.
Women are happily endowed with a sense of propriety and
a natural modesty which will generally guide them aright in
their intercourse with the other sex, and the more perfectly
well-bred and discreet you are in your intercourse with female
friends, the easier it will be for you to acquit yourself well
with your male ones.
Page 30
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
In obtaining an introductory letter to a public favorite, say to a painter, for instance, ascertain before presenting it what branch of the art he professes. Also, no one should presume to request an introduction to an authoress if they are ignorant whether she writes prose or verse. Not that they are expected to talk to her immediately on literary subjects. Far from it. But if they know nothing of her works they deserve no letter. Letters of introduction should not be sealed. To do so is rude and mean. If you wish to write on the same day to the same person, take another sheet, write as long an epistle as you please, seal it, and send it by mail.
It is best to deliver an introductory letter in person, as the lady or gentleman whose civilities have been requested in your behalf may thus be spared the trouble of calling at your lodgings, with the risk of not finding you at home. This is very likely to happen if you send instead of taking the letter yourself. If you do send it, enclose a card with your address upon it.
On farewell cards it is usual to write with a pencil the letters "P. P. C.," "pour prendre congé," "to take leave;" or P. P. Q," "pour prendree
writing upon business exclusively your own, for instance, to make a request, to ask for information, to petition for a favor, or to solicit an autograph, it is but right not only to pay the postage on your own letter, but to enclose a stamp for the answer. This is always done by really polite and considerate people. You have no right, when the benefit is entirely your own, to cause any extra expense to the receiver of the letter not even the cost of the postage back again.
Courtship. — By the custom of society, man has been awarded the privilege of making the first advance towards matrimony, it is the safest and happiest way for woman to leave the matter entirely in his hands. She should be so educated as to consider that the great end of existence may be equally attained in married or single life; and that no union but the most perfect one is at all desirable. Matrimony should be considered as an incident in life, which, if it comes at all, must come without any contrivance of yours; and, therefore, you may safely put aside all thoughts of it till some one forces the subject upon your notice by professions of a particular interest in you.
Lively, ingenious, conversable, charming girls often spoil into dull, bashful, silent young ladies, and all because their heads are full of nonsense about beaux and lovers. They have a thousand thoughts and feelings which they would be ashamed to confess, though not ashamed to entertain; and their preoccupation with a subject which they had better let entirely alone prevents their being the agreeable and rational companions of the gentlemen of their acquaintance, which they were designed to be.
Women are happily endowed with a sense of propriety and a natural modesty which will generally guide them aright in their intercourse with the other sex, and the more perfectly well-bred and discreet you are in your intercourse with female friends, the easier it will be for you to acquit yourself well with your male ones.