the "presenting of
compliments," a social note, no matter what its length or purport, would
have been considered rude, unless written in the third person. But as in a
communication of any length the difficulty of this form is almost
insurmountable (to say nothing of the pedantic effect of its
accomplishment), it is no longer chosen--aside from the formal invitation,
acceptance and regret--except for notes to stores or subordinates. For
example:

Will B. Stern & Co. please send (and charge) to Mrs. John H.
Smith, 2 Madison Avenue,

1 paper of needles No. 9
2 spools white sewing Cotton No. 70
1 yard of material (sample enclosed).

January 6.

To a servant:

Mrs. Eminent wishes Patrick to meet her at the station on Tuesday
the eighth at 11.03. She also wishes him to have the shutters
opened and the house aired on that day, and a fire lighted in the
northwest room. No provisions will be necessary as Mrs. Eminent
is returning to town on the 5.16.

Tuesday, March 1.

Letters in the third person are no longer signed unless the sender's
signature is necessary for identification, or for some action on the part
of the receiver, such as

Will Mr. Cash please give the bearer six yards of material to
match the sample enclosed, and oblige,

Mrs. John H. Smith.[A]

[Footnote A: A note in 3rd person is the single occasion when a married
woman signs "Mrs." before her name.]

=THE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION=

A letter of recommendation for membership to a club is addressed to the
secretary and should be somewhat in this form:

To the Secretary of the Town Club.

My dear Mrs. Brown:

Mrs. Titherington Smith, whose name is posted for membership, is
a very old and close friend of mine. She is the daughter of the
late Rev. Samuel Eminent and is therefore a member in her own
right, as well as by marriage, of representative New York
families.

She is a person of much charm and distinction, and her many friends will
agree with me, I am sure, in thinking that she would be a valuable
addition to the club.

Very sincerely,
Ethel Norman.

=RECOMMENDATION OF EMPLOYEES=

Although the written recommendation that is given to the employee carries
very little weight, compared to the slip from the employment agencies
where either "yes" or "no" has to be answered to a list of specific and
important questions, one is n