bnoxious, and merit for the
inquirer the cool silence which they usually obtain.

The loud-voiced, aggressive person, whose opinions are alone of vital
moment in his estimation, and who will not yield a point in an
argument, is much to be dreaded in any company, and effectually brings
to an end any general conversation into which he intrudes.

When addressing people face to face, it is necessary to give them
their social or professional titles, if the latter be such as have
influence on social rank, no matter if such titles are not inscribed
on the visiting card of the person possessing them, or are purely
honorary.

It is not now customary to add "Madam," or "Sir," or the colloquial
equivalent of the former,--"m'am" or "m'm,"--to "Yes" and "No," even
by children.

_Correspondence_

Letter writing is a high art, and can give great pleasure to one's
friends. It must not, however, be intemperately indulged in, either in
frequency, length of letters, or freedom of expression. A timely note
is a great binder of friendship, and may give comfort and satisfaction
much greater than a longer letter at a less important moment.

The danger of letter writing is that one is tempted to pour out one's
inmost feelings with thoughtless abandon, and find later that the
relative or friend to whom the letter was addressed was unworthy of
the confidence, or, if not unworthy, was repelled by it, or
indiscreet in guarding it. It is always wise for one to restrain his
expression of himself, when writing or speaking, within the bounds of
dignity and a self-respecting reserve.

The classic letters of literature are usually those the fervor of
expression and self-revelation of which gave them a strong human
interest, but in the preservation and publication of which sacred
confidence was violated. The average letter of the average man or
woman is by no means a classic, or worthy of preservation. It should
be destroyed when it has fulfilled the immediate purpose for which it
was written. It may otherwise sometime be instrumental in bringing
ridicule, if not shame, upon the unsuspecting writer.

As letter writing is the most common form of composition, the general
rules pertaining to that art should be observed in even the most
informal of letters.

All letters should be concise and definite. An involved style is a
great waste of time and mental power, and has no advantage.

A letter should be written on consecutive pages, unless it b