The Book of Good Manners; a Guide to Polite Usage for All Social Functions by Green, Walter Cox

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Title: The Book of Good Manners
Author: W. C. Green
Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5255]

[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]

[This file was first posted on June 14, 2002]

[Date last updated: July 24, 2005]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF GOOD MANNERS ***

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THE BOOK OF GOOD MANNERS

A GUIDE TO POLITE USAGE

FOR ALL SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

W. C. GREEN

THE BOOK OF GOOD MANNERS is a complete and authentic authority
on every single phase of social usage as practiced in America. The author
has compiled the matter in dictionary form in order to give the reader the
desired information as briefly and clearly as possible, and with the least
possible effort in searching through the pages.

ACCEPTING OR DECLINING INVITATIONS. See INVITATIONS,

ACCEPTING OR DECLINING.
ACCIDENTS. See STREET ETIQUETTE--MEN--ACCIDENTS.
ADDRESS. The address of a person may be stamped

on the stationery.

If the address is stamped, it is not customary

to stamp also the crest or monogram.

ADDRESSING ENVELOPES.

MEN. A man should be addressed as Mr. James
J, Wilson, or James J. Wilson, Esq. Either
the Mr. or the Esq. may be used, but not
the two together.

The title belonging to a man should be
given. It is not customary to use Mr. or
Esq. when Jr. or Sr. is used.

WOMEN. A woman's name should always have

the Miss or Mrs.

A woman should never be given her husband's

official title, as Mrs. Judge Wilson.

If a woman has a title of her own, she
should be addressed as Dr. Minnie Wilson,
when the letter is a professional one. If
a social letter, this should be Miss Minnie
Wilson, or Mrs. Minnie Wilson.

ADDRESSING PERSONS. Young girls should be spoken
of as Minnie Wilson, and not as Miss Minnie,
but are personally addressed as Miss Minnie.
Only the greatest intimacy warrants a man
in addressing a young girl as Minnie.

Parents should introduce their daughter as My daughter Minnie, but should speak of them before servants as Miss Minnie.

A married woman should be spoken of as
Mrs. Agnes Wilson, and personally addressed
as Mrs. Wilson.

ADDRESSING AND SIGNING LETTERS. All answers to
invitations should be addressed to the party
issuing them.

Letters to a woman who is a comparative stranger may begin My dear Mrs. Wilson, and to a closer acquaintance Dear Mrs. Wilson.

Letters to a man who is a comparative
stranger may begin My dear Mr. Wilson,
and to a closer acquaintance Dear Mr.
Wilson.

For forms of addressing persons with titles,
as Mayor, see under that title--as, Mayor,
Governor.

The letters may end, Sincerely yours, or Very truly yours, or I remain yours with kindest regards.

The signature of a man should be John J.

Wilson or J. Jones Wilson.

An unmarried woman should sign social
letters as Minnie Wilson, and a business letter
as Miss Minnie Wilson. A married woman
should sign a social letter as Agnes Wilson.
In signing a business letter, a married woman
may either sign her name Mrs. Agnes Wilson,
or, preferably,

Agnes Wilson

(Mrs. John Wilson)

AFTERNOON CALLS. These should be made between
three and half-past five, and if possible on
regular at home days.

In making an afternoon call a man should

wear the regulation afternoon dress.

DRESS--MEN. Afternoon dress consists of a

double-breasted frock coat of dark material,