Perfect Behavior: A Guide for Ladies and Gentlemen in All Social Crises

And above all, in writing to strangers or comparative strangers, seek to avoid the mention of subjects which might be distasteful to the recipient of the letter. Many a friendship has been utterly ruined because one of the parties, in her correspondence or conversation, carelessly referred to some matter— perhaps some physical peculiarity— upon which the other was extremely sensitive. The following letter well illustrates how the use of a little tact may go “a long way.” A CORRECT LETTER TO A BEARDED LADY My dear Mrs. Lenox: I wonder if you would care to go with us to the opera Wednesday evening? The Cromwells have offered us their box for that night, which accounts for our selection of that particular evening. “Beggars cannot be choosers,” and while personally we would all rather go on some other night, yet it is perhaps best that we do not refuse the Cromwells’ generous offer. Then, too, Wednesday is really the only evening that my husband and I are free to go, for the children take so much of our time on other nights. I do hope, therefore, that you can go with us Wednesday to hear “The Barber of Seville.” Sincerely, Esther G. (Mrs. Thomas D.) Franklin.