LESSON XXVI

I. How to Express Ideas in the Formal Note.

1. Convention has established certain rules to be followed with regard to the formal note, such as polite notes of invitation, acceptance, and regret.

2. These formal notes are written in the third person. They have no heading, no address, no formal closing, and should be written on the first page only of note-paper.

3. If the address of the writer and the date are used, they are written below the body of the note and at the left hand side. The day of the month is often written out in full, and the year may be omitted.

4. A reply to an invitation should carefully follow the formula used in the invitation. In order to prevent mistake, it should repeat the date and the hour mentioned in the invitation.

5. Formal notes should be written on unruled notepaper, which may be bought for the purpose. White or cream paper is always in good taste.

II. Expression of Ideas in Composition.

Read the following formal notes; observe the formula used in each, and the spacing.

1.

Mrs. Henry T. Wyman requests the pleasure of Miss York's company at dinner on Thursday, January twentyfirst, at seven o'clock.

20 Linden Street,

January fourteenth.

2.

Miss York accepts with pleasure Mrs. Wyman's kind invitation to dinner on Thursday, January twentyfirst.

45 Woodlawn Avenue, January fifteenth.

3.

Miss York regrets that a previous engagement prevents her from accepting Mrs. Wyman's kind invitation to dinner on Thursday, January twentyfirst.

45 Woodlawn Avenue,

January fifteenth.

4.1

Will Miss Parker be kind enough to excuse Harold Howe from school at ten o'clock, and greatly oblige his mother,

Oak Knoll

Wednesday morning.

Helen E. Howe.

1It is not necessary to be so formal as this in a note to the teacher. The note may read,—

MY DEAR MISS PARKER:-Will you kindly excuse, etc.

Yours very sincerely,

HELEN E. Hows.