A business letter should be clear, explicit and concise.

Figures should be written out, except dates; sums of money should be both in writing and figures.

Copies of all business letters should be kept.

When you receive a letter containing money it should be immediately counted and the amount marked on the top margin.

Letters to a stranger about one's own personal affairs, requesting answer, should always inclose a stamp.

Short sentences are preferable to long ones.

Letters requiring an answer should have prompt attention.

Never write a letter while under excitement or when in an unpleasant humor.

Never write an anonymous letter.

Do not fill your letter with repetitions and apologies.

Avoid writing with a pencil. Use black ink. Blue or violet may be used, but black is better.

In acknowledging receipt of a letter always mention date.

Note, packet or letter size should be used. It is unbusiness-like and very poor taste to use foolscap or mere scraps.

If single sheets are used they should be carefully paged. Business letters should be written on but one side of the sheet.

A letter sheet should be folded from bottom upward. Bring lower edge near the top so as to make the length a trifle shorter than the envelope, then fold twice the other way. The folded sheet should be just slightly smaller than the envelope.

If note sheet, fold twice from bottom upward. If envelope is nearly square, single fold of note sheet is sufficient.

Envelopes, like the paper, should be white, and of corresponding size and quality. It is poor taste to use colored paper, or anything but black ink.

The postage stamp should be placed at the upper right hand corner.

The address should be so plainly written that no possible mistake could be made either in name or address. It is unnecessary to add the letters P. O. after the name of the place. When the letter reaches the town it is not likely to go to the court house or jail. Letters of introduction should bear upon envelope the name and address of the person to whom sent, also the words in the lower left hand corner, "Introducing Mr. ------.