of benefit may come to both of
the persons concerned, then there is no doubt about the advisability of
it. But a letter of introduction should not be given to get rid of the
person who asks for it.

It is not good form to ask for one. If it is really necessary to have
one and the friend to be requested knows that you need it, he will
probably give you the letter unsolicited.

A letter of introduction should not be sealed by the person giving it.
It is written in social form and placed in an unsealed envelope
addressed to the person to whom the introduction is made. If the letter
is a friendly letter, it is enclosed in an additional envelope by the
person who requested the letter, sealed, and with his card on which
appears his city address, sent to the person addressed. The person
addressed, upon the receipt of the letter, calls within three days upon
the person who is introduced.

It has been customary to deliver a business letter of introduction in
person, but on consideration, it would seem that this is not the wisest
course. The letters of introduction most in demand are those to very
busy men--men of affairs. If one calls personally at the office of such
a man, the chance of seeing him on the occasion of presenting the letter
is slight. And, as has often been proved in practice, a telephone call
to arrange an appointment seldom gets through. The best plan seems to be
to mail the letter with a short note explaining the circumstances under
which it was written.

Sometimes (more often in business) an introduction is made by a visiting
card with "Introducing Mr. Halliday" written at the top. This method may
be used with a person with whom we are not well acquainted. This
introductory card is usually presented in person, but what has been said
concerning the letter applies here also.

Matters of a personal or private nature should not appear in letters of
introduction.

(A)

New York, N. Y.,
June 8, 1922.

Dear Dick,

The bearer of this note, Mr. Donald Ritchie of Boston, expects
to be in your town for six months or so. He is an old friend
of mine--in fact, I knew him at College--and I think you would
like him.

He is going to Black Rock in the interest of the Sedgwick
Cement Company. He knows nobody in Black Rock, and anything
you can do to make his stay pleasant, I shall greatly
appreci