ily itself has none. Only
such crests as definitely belong to the family are ever engraved
on notepaper, cards, or any new style of place cards. Several
stationers maintain special departments where crests are looked
up and authenticated and such families as are found in
Fairbairn's Crests, Burke's Peerage, Almanche de Gotha, the
Armoire General, are utilized to help in the establishment of
the armorial bearing of American families. Of course, the
College of Heraldry is always available where the American
family can trace its ancestors to Great Britain.

Many individuals use the coat-of-arms of their mothers, but
according to heraldry they really have no right to do so. The
woman to-day could use her father's and husband's crests
together if the crests are properly in pale, that is, if a
horizontal line be drawn to cut the shield in two--the husband's
on the left, the father's on the right. If the son wants to use
the father's and mother's crest, this must be quartered to
conform to rule, the arms of the father to be in the first and
fourth quarter; that of the mother in the second and third
quarter. The daughter is not supposed to use a coat-of-arms
except in lozenge form.

The dinner card that reflects the most refined and modern type
of usage is a card of visiting card size, with a coat-of-arms in
gold and gilt border, on real parchment. These cards are
hand-lettered and used as place cards for dinner parties.

The use of sealing wax is optional, though a good rule to follow is not
to use it unless it is necessary. The wax may be any dark color on
white, cream, or light gray paper. Black wax is used with mourning
stationery. The best place to stamp a seal is the centre of the flap. It
should not be done at all if it cannot be accomplished neatly. The crest
or monogram should be quickly and firmly impressed into the hot wax.

In selecting stationery it is a good plan to adhere to a single style,
provided of course that a good choice of paper and stamping has been
made. The style will become as characteristic of you as your
handwriting. Distinction can be had in quiet refinement of line and
color.

The use of the typewriter for social correspondence has some
authority--though most of us will want to keep to the old custom of pen
and ink. In case this should be employed for some good reason, the
letter must be placed i