How to Write Letters (Formerly The Book of Letters) Part 14

Let me thank you and Mr. Maxwell most heartily, and with kindest regards I am

Sincerely yours, Ruth Evans.

_To a christening_

Most christenings are informal affairs. The invitation may run like this:

September 8, 1920.

My dear Mary,

On next Sunday at three o'clock, at St. Michael's Church, the baby will be christened. Philip and I should be pleased to have you there.

Sincerely yours, Dorothy Evans Brewster.

_To bring a friend_

Often in the case of a dance or an at home we may wish to bring a friend who we think would be enjoyed by the hostess. We might request her permission thus:

600 Riverside Drive, April 25, 1922.

My dear Mrs. Dean,

May I ask you the favor of bringing with me on Wednesday evening, May the second, my old cla.s.smate, Mr. Arthur Price?

He is an old friend of mine and I am sure you will like him.

If this would not be entirely agreeable to you, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Yours very sincerely, Herbert Page.

_For a card party_

500 Park Avenue

My dear Mrs. King,

Will you and Mr. King join us on Thursday evening next at bridge?[4] We expect to have several tables, and we do hope you can be with us.

Cordially yours, Katherine Gerard Evans.

March the eighteenth

[4] Or whatever the game may be.

Sometimes the visiting card is used with the date and the word "Cards"

written in the lower corner as in the visiting-card invitation to a dance. This custom is more often used for the more elaborate affairs.

_Miscellaneous invitations_

The following are variations of informal party and other invitations:

83 Woodlawn Avenue, November 4, 1921.

My dear Alice,

I am having a little party on Thursday evening next and I want very much to have you come. If you wish me to arrange for an escort, let me know if you have any preference.

Sincerely yours, Helen Westley.

500 Park Avenue, May 12, 1922.

My dear Alice,

On Sat.u.r.day next I am giving a small party for my niece, Miss Edith Rice of Albany, and I should like very much to have her meet you. I hope you can come.

Very sincerely yours, Katherine G. Evans.

THE LETTER OF CONDOLENCE

A letter of condolence may be written to relatives, close friends, and to those whom we know well. When the recipient of the condolatory message is simply an acquaintance, it is in better taste to send a visiting card with "sincere sympathy." Flowers may or may not accompany the card.

But in any case the letter should not be long, nor should it be crammed with sad quotations and mushy sentiment. Of course, at best, writing a condolence is a nice problem. Do not harrow feelings by too-familiar allusions to the deceased. The letter should be sent immediately upon receiving news of death.

When a card is received, the bereaved family acknowledge it a few weeks later with an engraved acknowledgment on a black-bordered card. A condolatory letter may be acknowledged by the recipient or by a relative or friend who wishes to relieve the bereaved one of this task.

_Formal acknowledgment engraved on card_

_Mrs. Gordon Burroughs and Family Gratefully acknowledge Your kind expression of sympathy_

The cards, however, may be engraved with a s.p.a.ce for the name to be filled in:

_____________________________ _Gratefully acknowledge_

_____________________________ _Kind expression of sympathy_

When the letter of condolence is sent from a distance, it is acknowledged by a note from a member of the bereaved family. When the writer of the condolence makes the customary call afterward, the family usually makes a verbal acknowledgment and no written reply is required.

_Letters of condolence_

(A)