wly married couple use a card with the title of "Mr. and Mrs."
for the first year after marriage, in returning their ceremonious
calls after the wedding, and paying formal calls when the husband is
unable to accompany the wife. These cards should have the address in
the lower right-hand corner, and the reception day or days in the
lower left. After the first year they are seldom used in paying calls,
but can be used for condolence, congratulation, or farewell where both
husband and wife desire to be formally represented.

A woman who is personally distinguished, who occupies a high social
position, or whose husband stands at the head of his family, may have
only "Mrs. Barnaby," not "Mrs. John Barnaby," upon her cards. It is
better, however, not to do so unless one has the indisputable right to
be considered as _the_ Mrs. Barnaby of the locality. It is customary
for the wife of the oldest brother of the oldest branch of the family
alone to have the privilege of this form.

The same rule of precedence applies to single women. The oldest
unmarried daughter of the oldest brother, and she alone, has the right
to use "Miss Campbell" on her card, although she may have a cousin who
is much older than herself, but who is the daughter of a younger
brother of the same family.

A widow has no cards during her year of mourning, as she makes no
formal visits. After that, cards with black border to any depth
desired may be used.

A widow has no legal right to retain her husband's Christian name, but
she often prefers to do so, and it is entirely proper, the question
being one of sentiment alone. In case there is a married son of the
same name as the father, then it is proper for the mother to put "Sr."
for Senior, at the end of her name, should she desire still to retain
her husband's Christian name.

In such a case widows occasionally prefer to use their own names or
initials.

In this country a married woman merges her name with that of her
husband. It is not uncommon nowadays for married women to sign their
own Christian name, their maiden surname, and their husband's surname
as their signature. There is value in this as it preserves the family
identity of the married woman, but the question of its legality may
always be raised.

The name of daughter or daughters is often engraved below that of the
mother on her card, before the young woman enters formally into
society. The form "The Misses Smith" may be used, or the names