7. Why should there be a margin at the left of the page?

8. What would be your opinion of a person who sent you a letter containing misspelled words? blots? or a letter in which words like to, and, the, etc., were omitted, when necessary to complete the sense?

9. Why should the writer have his own name and address on the corner of the envelope?

10. Why is it sometimes well for a partner to sign his own name after the firm name?

II. What can you say as to the title to be used when addressing an individual? a firm?

12. What would you give as a reason for writing the address in a letter? 13. What is your opinion as to the quality of writing paper a person should use?

14. Why is a thorough knowledge of Commercial English absolutely necessary to the stenographer? Of what value to him are such exercises as are given in Lesson 67

PARAGRAPHING

LESSON VII.

The Paragraph. The rules for paragraphing all other written or printed matter apply to letters. When a new topic is introduced the mechanical arrangement of the letter should prepare the reader for the change. In beginning a new paragraph, leave double the usual margin; that is, indent one-half inch.

No fixed rule can be given to govern the length of a paragraph; it depends entirely upon how much is to be written on each topic. Sometimes a whole page is needed for one paragraph; sometimes only a single line. Several short statements which concern different topics may sometimes be made into one paragraph rather than have a number of very short paragraphs of a line, or a part of a line each. Care and common sense must be exercised in paragraphing, and extremes avoided.

EXAMPLE I.

The space allotted will be flat floor space and the arrangement of exhibits, as well as the outlay for the same, will fall upon the exhibitors.

The committee have arranged for sixty-inch, quarter-sawed, high roll-top desks as units of exhibit.

That we may have funds on hand with which to operate it has been decided to require every school, college or publisher desiring to make an exhibit to pay an entrance fee of $25, which will be placed in the hands of the secretary and treasurer of this association, Mr. George P. Lord, Salem, Mass., and to be used toward paying the expenses of the collective exhibit.

If you are willing to lend us your influence and co-operation by making an exhibit, and thus advance the best interests of business education in America, let us hear from you at once.

Note in the above the four topics: space, committee's arrangements, funds, co-operation.

EXAMPLE 2.

In the popular mind war is typified by the man on horseback. The glistening epaulets, the circling sword, the floating flag, the blare of bugles, the thunder of cannon and the rattle of riflery are to the popular mind the glorious accessories to the magnificent man at the head of a brigade with his breast exposed to the enemy's fire and with the destiny of a nation in his keeping.

He looks magnificent-there's no denying that. It is a picture that has made the pulses of all the peoples of the earth throb with pride.

But as a picture of actual modern war heroism it is a lie.

The real heroes who suffer and sacrifice and die in war are not magnificent or inspiring to look upon. The real heroes are those who bind up the wounds that war has made-whose breasts are turned to the bullets while they extend hands to soothe and help and heal.

Note in the above that there are only two topics and should be only two paragraphs: the typical hero, the real hero.

EXAMPLE 3.

DEAR SIR:

Enclosed find invoice of Celery. We expect to be able to fill orders at the same price for some time to come.

In our next shipment we will send you a pound of Royal Java and Mocha Coffee of extra high grade. We feel sure that this coffee, which we quote at thirty-one cents a pound, will give entire satisfaction.

We are in a position to make you some very close prices on canned goods and quote the following:

In the above letter it is necessary to have four paragraphs. (1) Invoice enclosed, (2) samples to be sent, (3) quotations, (4) expressing the hope that an order may be received.

EXAMPLE 4.

Dear Sir:

I have your favor of July 12 enclosing inspector's report for July 10, for which please accept my thanks.

I have also your second favor of July 13 requesting a list of accidents for the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st and remaining days of each month. I will have this forwarded to you as promptly as possible each month. Yours truly,

Note in above two paragraphs: letter of July 12; letter of July 13.

EXERCISES.

Copy the following letters, arranging, punctuating and capitalizing properly and using your best judgment in paragraphing: Enclose in envelopes properly directed.

Albany n y oct 28 1903 mr f g bryant cooperstown n y dear sir I understand that you are desirous of obtaining employment with this company in the capacity of freight brakeman and I have before me letters written in your behalf by Mr. Williamson of Cooperstown, and by the general superintendent of the Consolidated Transfer Company. While I would gladly give you a position were it in my power to do so, the fact is that our extra men are complaining now that they are not making enough time and instead of taking on any more men we may soon be compelled to lay off some of those we now have in our employ. It is, therefore, as you see, impossible for me to take you into the service at the present time. Yours truly a p richmond.

Syracuse n y june 8 1903 mr de witt stickles chatham n y dear sir We are in receipt of your valued favor of june 6 ordering books, which have been forwarded today. Enclosed herewith please find a copy of our complete catalog of phonographic publications. We shall be happy to send you any of them postpaid upon receipt of catalog price. Should you order to the amount of $10.00 or over, at the catalog prices, you may deduct 15 per cent in remitting and we will send the books postpaid. yours truly r r lant & co.

LESSON VIII.

Indicate by the use of the paragraph mark, ¶, the paragraphs in the following letters:

Dear Sir:

I.

Replying to your letter of the 11th inst., we would say that our 1905 catalog is in the hands of the printer but we hope to have it ready for delivery in about a week, when we shall be pleased to mail you a copy. We shall show a nice line of chairs, tables, lounges, desks and other household furniture. Trusting the short delay will cause you no inconvenience and hoping to be favored with your order, we remain, Yours truly,

Gentlemen:

2.

We send you our catalog of lamps suitable for stores, as requested. The best discount on this line is 20% from the revised price list enclosed in the catalog sent under separate cover. We trust we may receive your order, which will have our prompt attention. Yours truly,

Dear Sir:

3.

In response to your inquiry, we take pleasure in mailing you herewith specimen pages and description of the "Library of United States Literature." If you will favor us with your order and with references, we shall be pleased to extend to you a year's credit, delivering the entire set to you, express charges prepaid, and accepting payment at the price of one volume each month thereafter until the whole set is paid for. If, however, you prefer to pay cash on delivery, we will accept payment for only ten volumes and present volume eleven to you free. We enclose order blanks either for cash or monthly payments and if you will kindly sign and return your order, the books will be sent by return express, charges paid. Yours very truly,

Gentlemen:

4.

The enclosed circular is a sample of commercial school advertising that we are preparing for a number of our patrons. The course in accounting therein briefly outlined includes our latest works embodying methods used by modern business houses. If you are using a part of our course and wish to examine any of our other works, or if you are not familiar with any of our later publications and wish to examine our new commercial course, we will gladly submit samples. We have arranged to print circulars like the enclosed for schools using our works at a cost of $25 for five thousand copies printed in two colors on sixty-pound enameled paper, or $20 for the same circular printed only in