on" is a gracefully-turned and amply
sufficient phrase for all occasions.

Declining a Dinner Invitation.

An unexplained regret is often (as before mentioned) wounding to the
feelings of a sensitive person, leaving at times the impression that
one did not care to come. This can always be avoided by
particularizing the cause of refusal. A plea of expected absence, a
previous engagement to dine elsewhere, a recent bereavement, or sudden
illness in the family, are each of them good and sufficient reasons
for non-acceptance and should always be mentioned. Thus, in reply to a
formal dinner invitation, a "regret" might be sent in the following
terms:

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Patten sincerely regret that, owing to
the sudden illness of their daughter Eleanor they will be
deprived of the pleasure of accepting the very kind
invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Potter for dinner on
Tuesday, December fifteenth. 24 Abercrombie street.
Wednesday.

This form of refusal will be found suitable for all formal occasions,
varying the name of the entertainment and the cause for non-acceptance
to suit the circumstances.

Persons in Mourning.

Invitations to those in mourning should be sent as a matter of course,
except during the first few weeks of deep bereavement, when their
sorrows are not to be intruded upon by the gayeties of the outer
world. After this first season of sorrow, invitations, which neither
custom nor their own feelings permit them to accept, should be sent,
that they may know that they are not forgotten in their solitude.

To these there is always given the privilege of declining all
invitations without any specified cause therefor, their black-bordered
stationery showing all too plainly the sad reason that prompted their
refusal. They should then send their cards (black-bordered) by mail
enclosed in two envelopes. These will take the place of a personal
call and should be the same in number. It may be mentioned here that
while people in deep mourning are not usually invited to dinners or
luncheons, it is customary for them to receive invitations to all
weddings and other social gatherings, and though they may not accept,
still it is gratifying for them to know that they are remembered in
their seclusion.

[Illustration: A LETTER OF CONDOLENCE.]

Addressing the Answer.

The answer to an invitation should always be addressed to the person
in whose name it is sent. If "Mr. and Mrs.