Regency Culture and Society: Etiquette and Tips and Tricks of Letter Writing

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Learn the tips and tricks for the most polite letter writing, from A Treatise on Politeness, etc (1813) authored by A Lady.  For instance, use larger pager than smaller, put a date at the bottom, and write in a clear and concise style.

UPON LETTER WRITING Letters being the conversation of the absent many things necessary in colloquial communication are to be observed in writing to our friends such for example as those titles of respect and endearing epithets used in conversation and varied according to the occasion In addition to this many things are to be observed respecting letter writing in the first place it is more respectful to write on large than on small paper in the second the paper should be double there should be a considerable space between the top of the paper and the beginning address and another but not so large between that and the beginning of the letter In writing to persons of quality take care to address them by
their title and not simply you at the same time if you have occasion to write much you must now and then use the pronoun as the too frequent repetition of your lordship & c would be tiresome and have an appearance of too much servility never omit to date your letter it is a slovenly manner which should be avoided in every thing particularly by the young and much inconvenience and mistake may arise from the omission In answering a letter take care to reply in order to each part of the letter you have received Avoid all affectation in writing as well as in conversation endeavour to acquire a clear concise style and to express yourself in an unstudied easy familiar manner but at the same time respectful and suited to the subject on which you write and the person you address In writing to a person much your superior you ought not to commission them to present your remembrances to any person but particularly to an inferior if you

are induced to do so it must be done with great caution and delicacy When you write on business many think it proper to date the letter at the top letters of compliment at the bottom propriety in this respect and in some others depends on fashion it is lately become very general to date every letter at the bottom except those written by merchants to each other In addressing your superior or any one with whom you ought to be ceremonious you should always enclose your letter in a blank cover

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