sealed with wax,
in color dark green or red. Black is used for mourning. In sealing a
letter be careful to make a neat effect, and not to smear the wax all
over the envelope. The seal is then stamped with your monogram, or, if
you insist upon it, with your crest, but never with your coat of arms.
For the purpose of sealing letters men use their seal rings or a little
stamp which can be obtained at any silversmith's. When writing from the
club you can use the club stamp. Business letters are moistened and
gummed, a little damp sponge being used for this purpose. To moisten
envelopes with the tongue is nasty.

Letters written on hotel or business paper should be confined to the
commercial world. Your friends and acquaintances should not receive
them. Sometimes, when writing from a very interesting place to a very
intimate friend or to relatives, hotel paper may be used, as you would
like your correspondent to see a picture of the house at which you are
stopping.

Every gentleman should, however, carry in his portmanteau a flat
portfolio with writing materials and a traveling inkstand.

Your personal correspondence should be a reflection of yourself. Be
pithy, bright, and witty. Give the news and innocent gossip, but beware
of making statements in letters which you can not substantiate. Above
all, think twice before you pen a harsh or an unkind word, even if a
reproof be merited.

In business letters be brief and to the point.

There are two kinds of letters which sometimes puzzle the
writer--letters of condolence and letters of congratulation. A letter of
condolence--as will be explained in the chapter on Funerals--is due from
you at the death of a near or dear friend to the relative or
relatives--if you feel that you know them all well enough to address
more than one epistle of sympathy--nearest and dearest to the deceased.
Usually one letter is sufficient, but sometimes it may occur that you
feel that you should also write to others. Make it as natural as
possible. Avoid all stilted phrases and studied efforts at consolation.
A few words is all that is necessary. If you have been on intimate terms
with the family wire them your sympathy, and write a week or so
afterward.

Letters of congratulation are much easier to compose. On the occasion of
the announcement of an engagement of a friend, or in answer to his
letter announcing the happy event, or on the arrival of any good fortune
to those of whom you are fond