It is customary to arrange the name and address of the person to whom the letter is written in three or four lines. The name is written across the middle of the envelope, and so placed as to leave about the same amount of space on each side. If the envelope is long, there should be more space on the left of the name than on the right. As in the case of the heading, each line begins a little to the right of the one above it.

Note carefully the content, the arrangement, and the punctuation of the following envelope addresses:

I

Mr. William H. Roberts 10 Perry Street.

Toledo. Ohio.

II

Dr. Samuel West Farmville.

North Carolina.

Care of Mr. T. H. Taft.

III

Messrs. R. H. Brown & Co. 512 Bonding St.

New York City.

The punctuation marks are of no value unless they mark abbreviations or separate words. Does not their omission add to the attractiveness of the envelope? The following suggestions should be given careful consideration:

1. Either Mr., which precedes the name, or Esq., which follows the name, is used in addressing men. These abbreviations (from Mister and Esquire) are titles of respect only. Some reserve Esq. for lawyers, for whom it is always appropriate; some, for men who have achieved distinction. Others use it freely instead of Mr. Both titles should never be used with the same name.

2. It is not in good taste to use the husband's title in addressing the wife, as Mrs. Dr. Davis.

3. Address the principal of a school as Walter A. Davis, Esq., Principal of the Central High School. In addressing a professor, write Professor William H. White. Prin. and Prof. are unattractive abbreviations.

4. Instead of Reverend Dr. John B. Luce, write The Reverend John B. Luce, D.D.

5. Honorable is a title given to persons "who hold or have held any considerable office under the national or State government, particularly to members and ex-members of Congress and of State legislatures, to judges, justices, and some other judicial officers, as well as to certain executive officers," 1 - as mayors.

Exercise

167. On slips of paper cut three and one half inches by six, four by nine, or four by five, write suitable envelope addresses to the following persons and firms. Choose in each instance the size which you consider the most appropriate.

1 The Century Dictionary.

1. One of your teachers. 2. A well-known business house in your town. 3. The wife of a physician, whose box number is 1526. 4. A doctor of divinity. 5. A lawyer (the inclosure to be a legal document). 6. A member of Congress. 7. A prominent firm in a neighboring city. 8. A farmer who lives in a rural free-delivery district.

60. Suggestions

1. A good letter shows clearly where, when, to whom, and by whom it was written.

2. A careful letter writer keeps in mind his relations with the person to whom he writes.

3. Abbreviations are in general to be avoided. The men who do the most business usually find time to spell the full word. "Y'rs rec'd" and "Resp'y" are unnecessary.

4. The order of the pages should be perfectly clear to the reader.

5. When delivered by a friend, a note should not be sealed unless the bearer chooses to seal it. On the envelope inclosing such a note we write:

Mr. James A. Wilbur Kindness of Mr. Howard.

6. It is a good rule to inclose a stamp whenever you ask a favor which calls for the use of one.

7. It is wise to write your name and address in the upper left-hand corner of an envelope which incloses a letter of special importance.

8. Such a little thing as placing the stamp in the upper right-hand corner, right side up, adds to the attractiveness of the envelope.