ze all the words of the
address, but only the first word of the conclusion, as "My Dear Friend
Mary" and "Yours sincerely," but of late this rule seems to be broken in
regard to the address, which is now often written "My dear Mrs. Smith."

Abbreviations.--Abbreviations are always incorrect. The month, day and
date must be spelled out; the street number and the year are correctly
indicated in numerals. The year is sometimes spelled out on formal
invitations, but is regarded as an affectation in private correspondence.
To indicate a date in numerals, as 3: 18: '12, is bad form. "Street" is
not shortened to "St." and "Avenue" is to be spelled out. The city and
state should be written in full. "Cal." and "Col." are often wrongly read
by busy railway clerks, and your Colorado letter goes to California.

The character and (&) is never to be employed. "Hon.," "Dr." and "Rev."
are permissible on an envelope; "Rev. Father" is incorrect; write "Rev."
We do not use "Esq." in America as much as it is used in England, where it
is always employed in addressing a letter to an equal, "Mr." being
reserved for tradesmen. Here we use "Mr." almost entirely. Christian names
are not abbreviated in an address; one should write "George" or "Charles"
rather than "Geo." or "Chas."

What Not to Do.--A woman is never to be addressed by her husband's title,
either verbally or in writing. "Mrs. Dr. Smith" is "Mrs. Lewis Smith";
"Mrs. Judge Morris" is "Mrs. Henry Pond Morris." Of course she would not
think of signing herself "Mrs. Dr. Smith." She should sign herself by her
own name, "Marion Morris." If necessary to convey the information, she
may, in a business note, place Mrs. in brackets, before her name, or after
signing her own name, write below it, "Mrs. Henry Pond Morris." This is
never done in a social note. Often, upon her marriage a woman includes her
maiden name in her signature, thus, "Marion Ames Morris." A hyphen is not
used. The four-storied name, as "Marion Helen Ames Morris," is too
cumbersome for common use.

A woman uses her husband's full name on her cards. The man, in signing
himself, writes his full name "Henry Pond Morris" or "R. P. Morris,"
rather than "Henry P. Morris."

The postscript has been laughed out of existence. If a few words must be
added the "P. S." is omitted. Dodging about on the pages, from first to
third, then to second and fourth, is to be avoided. Don't write across
your written pages; a plaided lett