Note 8 — LETTER VIII.

Always be scrupulously careful to give titles, and with accuracy. The proper designation of a gentleman not in office, is—Esquire. (This, of course, should not be given to a tradesman, or menial.) That of a judge, member of Congress, mayor of a city, member of a State legislature, etc., etc., is—Honorable; that of a clergyman—Reverend; that of a bishop—Right Reverend. You are, of course, familiar with the proper abbreviations for these titles. In writing the address of a letter, it is desirable to know the Christian name of the person to whom it is to be directed. Thus, if a physician, "Charles Jones, M. D.," is better than "Dr. Jones." So, "Dr. De Lancey," or "Bishop Potter," are obviously improper. The correct form to be used in this instance, is:

"To the

"Right Rev. Alonzo Potter, D. D."

The proper address of a Minister representing our government abroad, is—"the Honorable —— ——, Minister for the U.S. of America, near the Court of St. James, or St. Cloud," etc. That of a Chargé d'Affaires, or Consul, etc., varies with their respective offices. A Chargé d'Affaires is sometimes familiarly spoken of as "Our Chargé," at such a Court—or as the "American Chargé."

A clergyman may be addressed as "Rev. Mr. ——," if you do not know the first name, or initial, and so may a doctor of divinity; but in the latter case it would, perhaps, be better to write—"Rev. Dr. James,"—though the more accurate mode will still be, if attainable, "Rev. William James, D.D."

Gentlemen of the Army and Navy should always be designated by their proper titles, and it is well not to be ignorant that a man in either of these professions, when

may not like to be reminded that the slow promotion he has attained is unknown to his friends!