.

Don't erase misspelled words in letters of any moment. Recopy the
entire missive.

Don't quote too constantly.

Don't underscore your words, unless they express something very
important.

Don't send enclosures in a letter written by some one else; only the
greatest intimacy can excuse this practice. Write your own letters and
send in a separate envelope.

Don't write a letter in a towering passion; you would not care to have
it confront you in some cooler moment.

Don't cross the writing in your letters. Life is too short and the
time and eyesight of your correspondent too precious for this.

Don't fill up every available blank space and margin of your letter
with forgotten messages. If these are very valuable, add an extra
sheet to your letter, thus saving its appearance and the patience of
its recipient.

Don't divide a syllable at the end of a line. The printer may do this,
not the letter-writer.

Don't fall into the habit of using long words in a letter, they show a
straining after effect. One should "say," rather than "observe,"
"talk," rather than "converse," if one's missives are to be easy,
well-bred and readable.

Don't refold a letter, the marks always remain to show your
carelessness. Fold it correctly the first time.

Do remember to answer all important questions in a letter clearly and
decisively.

Do burn the great majority of your letters after answering. Those that
are to be kept should be filed away in packages adding date and
writer's name on corner of envelope and by a word or two suggesting
the topics with which they deal. This will save time in referring to
them.

Do answer your friendly letters with reasonable promptness. To do
otherwise is a breach of etiquette. An unanswered letter is an insult,
a cut direct. Business letters, of course, must be replied to at once.

Do send a postage stamp when you write a letter of inquiry, the answer
to which is of interest only to yourself. A stamped and addressed
envelope would be a still better enclosure.

Do, if you are an absent son or daughter, write home promptly and
regularly; the comfort this will be to the parents at home, and the
pain they suffer at any negligence on your part, cannot be
overestimated. Husbands and wives, when separated for a time, would do
well to follow this same advice.

Do date your letters carefully. Events and proofs of the greatest
importance have hung upon the date of a single letter.

Do put suffi