Frosts Laws and By-Laws of American Society | Page 9

if not
disgraceful positions.
Even amongst friends of long standing they should be given very
cautiously and sparingly, as it is a great responsibility to send to your
friend a visitor who may prove disagreeable, and you have no right
whatever to call upon comparative strangers to extend hospitality or
courtesy to your friends.
Letters of introduction should always be as short and concise as

possible. If you wish to send any information to your friends about
their visitor, send it in a separate letter by mail.
The utmost brevity is of importance in the letter of introduction, as it is
usually read in the presence of the party introduced, and the pause must
necessarily be awkward. You may in a letter of introduction use a few
words of warm, cordial feeling toward your friend, but praise of any
kind is in as bad taste as it would be at a personal introduction.
This rule, however, does not apply to letters introducing applicants for
favor, office or position, which latter come more strictly under the head
of letters of recommendation than merely letters of introduction.
Letters of introduction must be left unsealed invariably; they should be
folded and addressed like any other letter, but it is a gross breach of
etiquette to prevent the bearer from reading what you may have said of
him to your friend. It is optional with the bearer to seal such letters
before delivery, but it is customary to leave them open.
A letter of introduction should not, unless circumstances make it
absolutely unavoidable, be delivered in person. It should be sent, with
the card of the person introduced, to the person to whom it is addressed,
by a servant. The person receiving it should then call at once or send a
written invitation to his house, and the person introduced may then call
in person. If, however, the stay in the city is very short, these
formalities must be omitted, and the person introduced call in person,
sending in his letter and card by a servant.
Business letters of introduction should mention the errand and business
of the party introduced, and if your own acquaintance is of recent date,
mention by whom your were yourself introduced.
Letters introducing professional artists may contain a few words
expressive of the pleasure conferred by the talent or skill of the person
introduced.
Letters of introduction soliciting favors should be but seldom given,
and never unless the claims upon both parties interested are very
strong.
There is no rule of etiquette prescribing the exact amount of attention
required to be shown to the bearer of a letter of introduction by the
person to whom it is addressed.
A thousand circumstances of time, place, position, leisure and
disposition of the parties must control this, but as a rule, the most

generous hospitality and courtesy it is possible to give, should be
extended to your friend's friend. It is a compliment to both the bearer
and the writer of the letter. La Fontaine says: "A letter of introduction is
a draft at sight, and you must cash it." It might be added, "You must
cash it in full, never allowing the courtesy exchange to be against the
presenter of the draft."
Letters of introduction should bear upon the envelope the name and
address of the party introduced, written in the left hand corner-- thus:
JOHN JONES, ESQ., No. 714 --- Street, Philadelphia. Introducing L. F.
Townsend, Esq., of Troy.
Letters of introduction to and from business men, for business purposes,
may be delivered by the bearers in person, and etiquette does not
require the receiver to entertain the person introduced as the private
friend of the writer. Good nature and native courtesy would suggest
some attentions, which could be increased according to the pleasure
conferred or received, but it is entirely optional.
Letters of introduction are very useful to travellers, or those about to
change their place of residence; care, however, should be especially
taken in the latter case to present persons to each other only, who will
prove mutually agreeable, as it is surely no friendly act to force upon
your friends a life-long acquaintance, perhaps with uncongenial
persons.
A form is given for an ordinary letter of introduction, to be varied
according to circumstances, always bearing in mind that brevity is
essential, long acquaintance necessary, and some claim on both parties
important, before giving any letters of introduction to your friends and
acquaintances.
"New York, August 12, 1869.
"JAMES WILCOX, ESQ.,
"Dear Sir:--Allow me to introduce to you my friend, Mr. Loving, who
will make a brief visit to your city. Any attention you may be able to
show him, during his stay, will be appreciated as a favor by,
"Yours sincerely, "E. B. Lyons."
(To be directed) "JAMES WILCOX,