The Indianapolis Journal

The Art of Writing Letters.

New York Tribune.

The daily newspapers have, of course, annihilated the old-fashioned letter in its old-fashioned sense. No one would tolerate the epistle of the old lady who, after declaring that the family was well, proceeded to write few thoughts upon patience and resignation. But chatty, "newsy" letter is by no means to be despised, and is always welcome. Twenty years ago there existed a school in New York where the waitress, a most cultivated and exceptionally intelligent English woman, made much of note writing. Once every week an hour was devoted to this particular exercise. A subject was given for the required note, such as writing an informal dinner invitation; an excuse for an enforced absence from some appointment; a note to a clergyman asking him to visit some poor woman, or to a dressmaker, making an appointment, or to a tradesman, giving some orders. Invitations and answers to every conceivable form of entertainment—anything and everything was chosen for a subject. Five minutes were allowed, and during this brief period deep silence reigned, broken only by the scratches of the numerous pens. The notes were then collected and read aloud, the teacher commenting and correcting the various styles. It was a most useful lesson, and many a fashionable woman who is noted for her gracious and facile pen remembers thankfully that dreaded ordeal of long ago.

In England it is unwritten law that directly after breakfast all notes should be written and all correspondence attended to, and much of an English woman's facility with her pen is doubtless due to this systematic observance. It is a far better plan than the American habit of utilizing odd moments, which tends to produce a careless, slovenly style, and belittles what should be the first duties of a woman of the world.