How to Write Letters (Formerly The Book of Letters) Part 23

_Answers to request for information concerning a servant_

500 Park Avenue, New York City, May 13, 1922.

Mrs. Samuel Duke, 5300 Deming Place, Chicago, Ill.

Dear Madam:

I have your inquiry of May the ninth concerning my former chauffeur, Gaston Duval.

I am very glad to recommend him. He is sober and honest, and I always found him thoroughly dependable during his fifteen months in my employ. He drives well and is an expert mechanician.

Yours very truly, K. G. Evans, (Mrs. John Evans)

500 Park Avenue, New York, N. Y., May 13, 1922.

Mrs. Samuel Duke, 5300 Deming Place, Chicago, Ill.

Dear Madam:

I have your inquiry of May the ninth concerning my former chauffeur, Gaston Duval.

I hope that you will not think me discourteous but I should much prefer not to discuss him.

Yours very truly, K. G. Evans.

(Mrs. John Evans)

(In letters which in effect decline to give a recommendation it is wiser not to set out facts or even actually to decline to give the recommendation. See Chapter XI on the Law of Letters. The following letter to a servant, which is an indirect way of declining to recommend, is on the danger line.)

_To a servant_

Harbor View, Long Island, August 29, 1921.

My dear Margaret,

Mrs. Hubert Forbes has written me concerning your qualifications as cook, and asks if I would recommend you in every way. Also I have your request to me for a reference.

With regard to your skill in cooking there can be no question.

I can recommend you as having served me for two years and I can vouch for your honesty. But, as you know, you are not to be depended on--for instance, to return promptly after your days off or to do any work at all during your frequent disputes with the butler.

This I have told Mrs. Forbes. I could not conscientiously do otherwise; but I have asked that she try you in the hope that you have decided to remedy these faults.

Very truly yours, F. B. Scott.

(Mrs. Harrison Scott)

Harbor View, L. I., August 29, 1921.

Mrs. Hubert Forbes, Baysh.o.r.e, L. I.

My dear Mrs. Forbes:

I have your letter of August twenty-fifth concerning my former cook, Margaret d.i.c.kson. She is an extremely good cook.

She was with me for two years, and I can vouch for her honesty, but she is not to be depended on--for instance, to return promptly after her days off or to do any work during her frequent quarrels with the butler. But she seems anxious to improve, and if you would care to give her a trial, I think she might be satisfactory in new surroundings.

I hope this reply will answer your questions.

Very truly yours, Flora B. Scott.

_Letter to a former servant_

Dear Delia,

If you will not be too busy next week, will you come out and take care of the children for three or four days? Mr. Stone and I expect to be away. I am sure your husband can spare you.

You will be surprised at the way Jack is growing. He often speaks of you.

Let me know immediately.

Cordially yours, B. L. Stone.

(Note the signature--the use of initials instead of writing the full name.)

_Inquiry concerning house for rental_

48 Cottage Road, Somerville, Ma.s.s., April 8, 1921.

Schuyler Realty Company, 49 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Gentlemen:

Will you be good enough to send me the following information concerning the house at 28 Bedford Park which you have advertised for rental:

Location of the house with regard to subway and L station, and the nearest public school. General character of the immediate neighborhood.

Distance to the nearest Methodist Episcopal Church.

Condition and kind of plumbing in each of the three bathrooms.

Make of furnace and the amount of coal necessary to heat the house.

Is the house completely screened? Are there awnings?

The floors--of what wood and in what condition are they?