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309
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness
·
Florence Hartley
106
LETTERS
OF
CONDOLENCE
are
exceedingly
trying,
both
to
read
and
to
write.
If
the
affliction
which
calls
for
them
is
one
which
touches
you
nearly,
really
grieving
and
distressing
you,
all
written
words
must
seem
tame
and
cold,
compared
with
the
aching
sympathy
which
dictates
them.
It
is
hard
with
the
eyes
blinded
by
tears,
and
the
hand
shaking,
to
write
calmly;
and
it
is
impossible
to
express
upon
paper
all
the
burning
thoughts
and
words
that
would
pour
forth,
were
you
beside
the
friend
whose
sorrow
is
yours.
If
you
do
not
feel
the
trial,
your
task
is
still
more
difficult,
for
no
letters
demand
truth,
spoken
from
the
heart,
more
than
letters
of
condolence.
Do
not
treat
the
subject
for
grief
too
lightly.
Write
words
of
comfort
if
you
will,
but
do
not
appear
to
consider
the
affliction
as
a
trifle.
Time
may
make
it
less
severe,
but
the
first
blow
of
grief
must
be
heavy,
and
a
few
words
of
sincere
sympathy
will
outweigh
pages
of
mere
expressions
of
hope
for
comfort,
or
the
careless
lines
that
show
the
letter
to
be
one
of
mere
duty,
not
feeling.
Let
your
friend
feel
that
her
sorrow
makes
her
dearer
to
you
than
ever
before,
and
that
her
grief
is
yours.
To
treat
the
subject
with
levity,
or
to
wander
from
it
into
witticisms
or
every-day
chit-chat,
is
a
wanton
insult,
unworthy
of
a
lady
and
a
friend.
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