How to Write Letters (Formerly The Book of Letters) Part 44

Mr. William Everett, 347 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.

My dear Mr. Everett:

The bearer of this letter, Miss Mildred Bryan, my stenographer, is available for a position, owing to the fact that I am moving my office to Cincinnati.

She is an unusually competent young woman--quick, accurate, intelligent, and familiar with the routine of a law office.

If you need a stenographer, you cannot do better than engage Miss Bryan, and I am taking the liberty of giving her this letter for you.

Very truly yours, Howard S. Briggs.

LETTERS OF INQUIRY

_Requests for information_

Bradford Mills, Pa., August 9, 1923.

Dr. Louis Elliott, 29 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

My dear Dr. Elliott:

I am writing a paper on Vitamines to be read before the Mothers' Club, an organization of Bradford Mills mothers.

I have drawn most of my material from your article in the _Medical Magazine_, acknowledging, of course, the source of my information. There are several points, however, on which I am not clear. As it is of great importance that this subject be presented to the mothers correctly, I am addressing you personally to get the facts.

1. Am I to understand that no other foods than those you mention contain these vitamines?

2. Are all the cla.s.ses of vitamines necessary to life and will a child fed on foods containing all the known vitamines be better conditioned than one fed on only one kind?

I shall greatly appreciate your answering my questions. The members of the club have shown surprising interest in this matter of food.

Yours sincerely, Mabel Manners.

128 East Forty-Sixth Street, New York, N. Y., June 15, 1922.

The Prentiss Candy Co., Long Island City, N. Y.

Gentlemen:

The _Better Food Magazine_, to which I am a contributor, has asked me to make an investigation of the manufacture of the most widely advertised foods, with a view to writing an article on foods for the magazine.

I should like if possible to talk with someone and to make a short visit to the factory. If you can arrange an appointment for me during the next week, will you let me know? I shall greatly appreciate it.

Very truly yours, (Miss) Vera Henderson.

_Answers to letters of inquiry_

THE PRENTISS CANDY CO.

LONG ISLAND CITY, N. Y.

June 17, 1922.

Miss Vera Henderson, 128 East Forty-Sixth Street, New York, N. Y.

Dear Madam:

We have your letter of 15th June and we shall be glad to give you any a.s.sistance in our power.

If you will call at the factory office next week on Tuesday the 22nd or Wednesday the 23rd and present the enclosed card to Mr. Jones, you will get all the information you desire.

Very truly yours, (Handwritten) _B. J. Clark_, The Prentiss Candy Co.

PINE GROVE LODGE, STANTON, N. Y.

ABSOLUTELY FIREPROOF OPEN ALL THE YEAR THE FINEST RESORT HOTEL IN THE COUNTRY

May 6, 1921.

Mr. Charles Keith, 4000 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y.

Dear Sir:

We have your letter of May 4th and in answer we are enclosing some of our descriptive literature.

We can offer you absolute comfort together with an almost matchless environment in the points of beauty and of suitability for all sports.

Our rates are on the American plan. We have the finest American plan kitchen and table anywhere. We enclose a menu. Our single rooms with private bath are $50, $62, and $70 per week up for one person. Rooms without bath, but with hot and cold running water and adjacent to bath are $45 per week. Double rooms with private bath and furnished with two single beds are $95, $105, and $115 per week up for two persons. Rooms for two without bath are $80 per week. These rates hold until September 1st.

The difference in rates is caused by the size and location of rooms, but every room is furnished with taste and care. The decorations have been carefully thought out. There are no undesirable rooms at the Lodge and every room is an outside room. Those on the east overlook the 120-acre golf course with a magnificent view of the mountains, and those on the west front the wooded slopes of Sunset Mountain.

Stanton affords the greatest combination of scenery, health-giving climate, and facilities for enjoyment. Add to this the comforts and luxuries of a modern hotel such as Pine Grove Lodge and the result is perfect.

We feel quite sure you will find a visit here restful or lively--as you will. One of the attractions of the place is its facilities for occupying oneself in one's own way. We shall be glad to make reservation for you at any time or to answer any further inquiries.

Yours very truly, Pine Grove Lodge.

If you should receive an inquiry for advice, opinion, or information, which you do not care, for some reason, to give, you should at least reply stating that you cannot comply with the request, in as courteous a manner as possible.

CHAPTER VIII

THE USE OF FORM PARAGRAPHS

A considerable part of the day's run of correspondence in a business office has to do with not more than half-a-dozen subjects. Quotations will be asked for. Tenders will be made. Complaints will be made and received. Adjustments of various kinds will be done, and so on, through a list that varies with the particular business of the office. It is advisable to keep the tone of correspondence on a fairly uniform level.