ETTERS  of Introduc- tion are those by which a person introduces a friend to a friend who is absent. There are two kinds, Social and Busi- ness. Letters of intro- duction should always be as short and concise as possible, as they are generally delivered in person. To wait until a long letter is being read

is embarrassing to the person presenting same. The writer of a letter of introduction should be careful whom and to whom he introduces a person. By introducing an improper person, or an inferior socially, an irreparable injury may be done a friend. Great care must be exercised against the use of extravagant eulogy, or overpraise, although more latitude is allowed in written than in an oral introduction. Letters of introduction should never be sealed when given to the person by

whom they are to be presented; the bearer may, however, seal it before delivery.

A letter of introduction should not be delivered in person, although circumstances often render it proper and necessary to do so. The correct way to deliver a letter is to send the card of the person introduced to the person to whom the letter of introduction is addressed, by a servant. The person receiving the letter should then call upon the former and extend his hospitalities.

A business letter of introduction may be delivered by the bearer in person, as such introductions are for business purposes only, and necessitate no social obligations. In style they should resemble other business letters; that is, they should be brief and to the point. Letters of introduction tion will be found very useful to travelers, or to persons who are about to change their place of residence.

Letters of introduction should bear upon the envelopes the name and address of the party to whom the letter is addressed, the same as if sent by mail, except that the words “Introducing,” etc., are written in the lower left hand corner; thus—

Short Form of Introduction.

BOSTON, May 20, 1880.

MY DEAR SIR:

I have the honor of introducing to your acquaintance Mr. Frank Ward, whom I commend to your kind attention.

Very truly yours,

JOHN WILSON.

MR. BENJ. F. SWING,

Toledo, Ohio.

Another.

February 9, 1813.

MY DEAR THEODORE:

Lieutenant-Colonel Scott (the friend of Mr. Watkins Leigh) will hand you this letter. It is written exclusively for the purpose of giving you the pleasure of his acquaintance; for which you must consider yourself my debtor.

Yours truly,

JOHN RANDOLPH, of Roanoke.

Mr. T. Bland Dudley.

Introducing a Son of a Partner,

HARTFORD, March 10, 1881.

CHARLES T. EVANS, ESQ.,

New York.

Sir:—Mr. Frank Fisher, the eldest son of our senior partner, being about to visit your city for the purpose of embarking for South America, we are sensible that we cannot better ensure to him such polite attentions as are calculated to render his short stay agreeable, than by introducing him to you. We need scarcely say that we shall feel personally obliged by any marks of kindness that you may have the goodness to evince towards this young gentleman, and by any assistance that it may be in your power to render him, in making his arrangements for the voyage.

We remain, with much esteem, sir,

Your faithful servants,

FISHER, CLARK & CO.

Introducing a Young Man Traveling on Business.

TORONTO, Mar. 1, 1881.

HENRY HOWARD, ESQ.,

Charleston, S. C.

Sir:—We recommend to your particular favor and attention, the bearer, Mr. Frederick McQuigg, eldest son of Mr. Henry McQuigg, of the highly respectable house of McQuigg, Hughes & Co., of this city. Our esteemed young friend is about to visit the Southern States, by way of Charleston, on business for the house; we therefore request you, most urgently, to afford him your advice and assistance, and to render his stay in your city as agreeable as possible. He is clever, steady, and unassuming, and we are convinced that on a near acquaintance he will prove himself deserving of your esteem and good will.

Command us freely in similar cases, and be assured that we will use our best endeavors to do justice to your introduction.

We are, respectfully yours,

HENRY BROWN & CO.,

Introducing a Firm.

PHILADELPHIA, April 15, 1881.

MESSRS. HUNTER, CLARKE & CO.,

New Orleans.

Gentlemen:—I have the pleasure of introducing to your acquaintance the very respectable firm of Messrs. Dunn, Brown & Co., of Boston, Mass., whose senior partner, Mr. James Dunn, is at present in this city, and purposes visiting New Orleans. Any civilities or attentions that you may be pleased to show him, I shall consider a favor conferred on myself.

These gentlemen occasionally give orders for cottons and other shipments from your port, and from some conversation that I have had with Mr. D., I am led to hope that the house will give you a preference of their business in future. I shall feel happy should the present introduction lead to transactions mutually advantageous and agreeable.

I remain, gentlemen,

Yours very respectfully,

ALFRED QUIGG.

Another Form.

LONDON, October 3, 1880.

MESSRS. HASKELL, BROWN & CO.,

New Orleans.

Gentlemen:–We beg leave to introduce to you the bearer of this letter, Mr. F. C. Fenderson, a partner in the highly respectable house of Moore, Fenderson & Co., of New York, who is about to visit your city for the purpose of extending the commercial relations of his house with the principal firms of your place. In strongly recommending our friend to your notice, we particularly request that you will not only forward his views by your influence and advice, but that you will also render his stay in your city as agreeable as possible, by showing him every attention that may be in your power.  In case Mr.

Fenderson should have occasion to take up any money, either for traveling expenses or operations of business, you will please to supply him with funds to the extent of ten thousand pounds sterling, taking his drafts upon us at five days' sight in reimbursement. We beg that upon similar and all other occaslons, you will freely command our services, and

We remain, gentlemen,

Faithfully yours,

MARTIN, GREGORY & CO.

Introducing a Captain, Asking Preference.

LONDON, July 21, 1881.

MESSRS. G. WALLISTON & CO.,

Savannah, Ga.

Gentlemen:—This will be delivered to you by Captain Green, of the Baltic, whom I beg leave to introduce to your acquaintance. You will greatly oblige me by giving him the preference, should you have any cottons for shipment, while his vessel is loading at your port.

The owners of the Baltic are my good friends and valuable correspondents, Messrs. Collins, Clement & Co., of Glasgow.

Recommending Captain Green likewise to your good offices and attentions in other matters,

I am, gentlemen,

Your obedient servant,

GEORGE S. PALMER.

Introducing a Young Gentleman to a Lady of Fashion.

CONTINENTAL HOTEL,
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 16, 1881.

DEAR MADAM:

Permit me to present to you my friend, Mr. Gilbert Haven, a gentleman whose polished manners and irreproachable character embolden me to request for him the honor of an acquaintance with even so fastidious and accomplished an arbiter of fashion as yourself.

Mr. Haven will be able to give you all the information you may desire respecting our mutual friends and acquaintances in society here. Do me the honor to make my very respectful compliments to the Misses Peck, and to believe me, my dear madam,

Most respectfully,

Your friend and servant,

M. STODDART.

MRS. W. H. PECK,

Atlanta, Ga.

Introducing a Literary Lady to a Publisher.

BELOIT, WIS., May 1, 1881.

MESSRS. FAIRBANKS, PALMER & CO.,

Chicago.

Gentlemen:—The bearer, Mrs. Mary A. Farmer, I commend to your favorable consideration. She has several manuscripts ready for publication, upon which she would like your opinion, and which, doubtless, you will find deserving your attention. My past acquaintance with you justifies me in the belief you may come to an understanding of mutual pleasure and benefit.

I am, respectfully yours,

GEORGE L. HARDING.

Letters of introduction are sometimes written in the third person, as in the following example:

Mr. Clayton presents his compliments to Mr. Swift, and feels great pleasure in introducing to his notice the bearer, Mr. Charles Layman. From the number of years Mr. Layman has been in the employ of Mr. Clayton, and from the invariably steady and honorable conduct which has marked his progress, Mr. Clayton recommends him with great confidence, feeling persuaded that he will study very closely and sedulously the interest of his employer.

133 Water Street, Chicago.

December 18, 1880.