LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. A CONSCIENTIOUS person will be very careful in recommending one person to another. It should never be done unless you have full knowledge of the person you endorse. By giving such a letter, you make yourself, to a certain extent, morally responsible for the character and conduct of the person you recommend. You should, therefore, exercise the greatest caution in the giving of such letters, and should not hesitate to refuse one where you cannot conscientiously give it. A letter of recommendation should be brief and to the point. Use as few and as simple words as possible. Recommending a Clerk or Salesman. MESSRS. HOOD, Bonbright & Co., PHILADELPHIA, May 20th, GENTLEMEN: PHILADELPHIA. The bearer, Mr. Benjamin Higgins, being desirous of obtaining employment as a clerk of salesman in your house, I take great pleasure in commending him to your fullest confidence both as to ability and integrity. I have known him for many years, and have uniformly found him a man of correct habits, irreproachable character, and decided business ability. He is a good accountant, and punctual and faithful in his attention to business. I am confident that, should you see fit to employ him, you will find him a most useful and agreeable addition to your establishment. Very truly yours, SOLOMON WISE. Another Form. NEW YORK, May 25th, CHICAGO, ILLS. MESSRS. SCOTT, LEE & CO., GENTLEMEN. Finding that Mr. Alexander is a candidate for a situation in your house, we beg to say that during the two years he was in our employ we had every reason to approve highly of his character and services. Mr. A.'s principal duty was that of first salesman in our establishment, and while ne kept our interests steadily in view, his polite manners and obliging disposition secured the good opinion of our customers. Mr. Alexander has frequently assisted us in the selection and purchase of goods, in which department his knowledge and taste were of great value. He is qualified to conduct correspondence, and is expert and accurate at calculations. Should any further particulars regarding Mr. A. be required, it will afford us pleasure to communicate the same on application. We are, gentlemen, Your obedient servants, SLOANE & Co. Recommending a School Teacher. GLENDALE, February 10th. PRESIDENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES, ETC. COL. A. P. WILLIS, DEAR SIR: I take pleasure in recommending to your favorable consideration the application of Miss Hannah Alexander for the position of teacher in the public school at Weymouth. Miss Alexander is a graduate of the Davidson Seminary, and for the past year has taught a school in this place. My children have been among her pupils, and their progress has been entirely satisfactory to me. Miss Alexander is a strict disciplinarian, an excellent teacher, and is thoroughly competent to conduct the school for which she applies. Trusting that you may see fit to bestow upon her the appointment she seeks, I am, I take pleasure in certifying that Bridget O'Leary has lived with me two years as a cook, during which time she has given me entire satisfaction. She is a good plain and fancy cook, and is attentive to her work, and honest and reliable in her habits. Recommending a Gardener. MARGARET THOMPSON. WEST CHESTER, PA., May 10th, The bearer, Lawrence Callaghan, has lived with me for the past two years as a gardener. He is honest and reliable, and a practical gardener. He has given me entire satisfaction, has kept my grounds in perfect order, and has made my garden yield all that could be reasonably expected of it. I cordially recommend him as an excellent and practical gardener. ROBERT STEELE. LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION should not be given except to persons with whom you are well acquainted, and for whom you are entirely willing to vouch. They should be given with great caution, and should be carefully and expli citly worded. Remember that in introducing a person to a friend, you pledge your own character for his, to a certain extent, and any misconduct on his part will damage you in the estimation of the friend to whom you introduce him. The necessity of exercising the greatest care thus becomes apparent. While you are uncertain as to the propriety of giving a letter of introduction, refuse it with firmness, and let nothing induce you to alter your decision. In giving a letter of introduction, be careful to state your exact intention, in order that your friend may know what attention you wish him to show the person you introduce. If your letter is simply a business introduction, confine it to an explicit statement of the person's business, and your knowledge of his capacity. If you wish the bearer of the letter to receive any social attention at the hands of your friend, say so. Leave nothing to uncertainty. The letter of introduction should be left unsealed. The person delivering it should seal before presenting it. A social introduction should be sent by messenger to the person addressed, and accompanied by the card of the person introduced. It is customary to present a business introduction in person. The letter of introduction should be addressed as follows: Allow me to introduce to you my friend, Walter Hazelhurst, who visits your city for the purpose of spending a few weeks there. I commend him to your cordial hospitality, and will be grateful for any attentions you may be able to show him. This will be handed you by my friend, Mr. Walter Lewis, who visits your city for the purpose of making purchases in his business. Mr. Lewis is one of our largest wholesale grocers, and is a gentleman of high standing in this community. Any favor you can render him by giving him information, or by introducing him to your leading wholesale houses, or otherwise, will be appreciated by Mr. Lewis, and gratefully acknowledged by Yours sincerely, HIRAM WAITE Introduction to a Foreign House. ADELAIDE, April 15th. MR. HUGH MCCULLOCH, SIR: LONDON. We beg to recommend to your favorable notice and particular attention the bearer, Mr. Anthony Wayne, son of Mr. Hugh Wayne, senior partner in the house of Wayne Brothers, of this city. Our esteemed young friend is on his way to Paris upon business connected with the house; we therefore urgently request you to extend him advice and assistance, and to render his visit to your metropolis as agreeable as possible. As he is a gentleman of intelligence, probity, and good breeding, we are convinced that a closer acquaintance will prove him worthy of your consideration and esteem. In similar cases command us freely, and rest assured that we will use our best endeavors to do justice to your introductions. Permit me to introduce to you my very old and intimate acquaintance, Mr. Gustavus Brooke, and to bespeak for him your friendly offices and polite attentions. Mr. Brooke has been the recipient of a good mercantile education, in addition to which, through his own energies and application, he has acquired a proficient knowledge of modern languages. He has served most creditably in many confidential positions, ever giving satisfaction to the respectable houses honoring him with their confidence. By reason of failing health, and in deference to professional advice, he is induced to seek a residence abroad, and therefore may be inclined, should opportunity offer, to accept a mercantile situation. As I am well acquainted with Mr. Brooke's character, having been with him for over ten years in the counting-house of Hunt & Co., the principals of which view his departure with regret, I cannot speak too decidedly in his favor. I consequently speak with justice, and urgently request that you will afford him every assistance within your power in accomplishing the object of his present journey. And I am willing to admit that I anticipate better results from any friendly exertions you may make in his favor, than from the letters with which the house have furnished him. Satisfied that you will use every endeavor to render Mr. Brooke's stay in your city both agreeable and profitable to him, I can only express the deep obligations I will be under for your kind attentions to him, while, in return, I shall be most happy to reciprocate in favor of your friends visiting America. Believe me, gentlemen, Yours faithfully, HENRY DOdge. MESSRS. LORD & TAYLOR, GENTLEMEN : NEW YORK. Introducing a Firm. CINCINNATI, O., May 2d. I have the pleasure of introducing to your acquaintance the respectable firm of Dugan & Co., of the Salt Lake City, the senior of which, Mr. James Dugan, is at present in this city; but proposes extending his trip to your metropolis. Any civilities or attentions you may adjudge proper to extend to him will be regarded as a personal obligation. These gentlemen deal largely in dry goods, as a branch of a miscellaneous business; and, from conversation with Mr Dugan, I am induced to believe that they will give your house a preference of their orders in future. Should the present introduction lead to the establishment of permanent relations, s shall be most happy. Believe me, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, THOMAS HUGHES. Letter of Introduction and Credit. SAN FRANCISCO, May 7th. MESSRS. TAYLOR & Co., Broad St., New York. GENTLEMEN: We take pleasure in introducing to your acquaintance, Mr. Gonzales Orteaga, of the highly respectable firm of Vega, Orteaga & Co., of Mazatlan, Mexico, who contemplates a tour through the oil regions of Pennsylvania and the manufacturing districts of that State. Should you have the power to further his inclinations in that direction, it will be a source of gratification to us, as we trust that this introduction may prove productive of mutual advantage to yourselves and to our friend. Should Mr. Orteaga find it necessary to take up any cash for travelling expenses, oblige us by accommodating him to any sum not exceeding $1000, coin, taking his draft upon us at three days, sight, in payment. We refer to our letter of this date, per mail. for Mr. Orteaga's signature. STRATMAN, HILL & Co. A Business Introduction. CHICAGO, ILLS.. May 1st. J. W. DAWSON, ESQ., PHILADELPHIA. MY DEAR SIR: This will introduce to you Mr. William Channing, of this city, who visits Philadelphia on a matter of business which he will explain to you in person. You can rely upon his statements, as he is a gentleman of high character; and should you be able to render him any assistance, it will be gratefully appreciated by DEAR MARY: Yours truly, HAMILTON DEXTER. Introducing One Lady to Another. DUNEDIN, May 5th. Allow me to introduce to you my very dear friend, Miss Nellie Lee, the bearer of this letter You have heard me speak of her so often that you will know at once who she is. As I am sure |