General Directions.

Letters in reply to advertisements should be written immediately, else you may be too late. Paste the advertisement at the head of your letter, thus it will be known exactly what your communication has reference to.

It is not necessary to speak much in praise of yourself, but you may state your reference, your experience, and qualifications fitting you for the position, the whole being told as briefly as possible.

Write your application yourself, your handwriting and the manner of expressing yourself being the test by which the advertiser judges you. If you have written testimonials copy the same, marking them as such, and enclose the copy.

I notice in this morning's "Ledger," your advertisement of "a boy wanted in a grain commission house," which position I take the first opportunity to apply for.

I am fourteen years old, have been at school the most of the time, winters, for the past seven years, and understand bookkeeping and conducting correspondence pretty well, having assisted my father much of the time while he was in the coal trade, which was about three years.

I am perfectly willing and ready to take my coat off and go right to work at handling grain or anything else in your line.

I refer you to Mr. Ira Belden, Coal Dealer, at 56 Benton street, who has always known me.

I will board at home, and will try to earn for you five dollars a week.

Very Respectfully Yours,

Answering an Advertisement for a Book -keeper.

1184 Longworth St., CINCINNATI, O., May 1, 18—. DEAR SIR: In reply to your advertisement in to-day's "Commercial" for a clerk or assistant bookkeeper, I beg to offer my services to your firm.

I have been in the employ of Mr. Wm. H. Wilson for the past four years, until he sold out his business a few days ago, having kept the books of his house during the time.

He permits me to refer to him for any testimonial of character or ability which you may require.

Should my application meet your views it will be my earnest endeavor to faithfully and punctually fulfill the duties required. I have the honor to remain,

Respected Madam: Seeing an advertisement in this morning's "Press" for a good plain and fancy cook, I take the opportunity to apply for the situation.

I have been with my present mistress, Mrs. Burton, for three years, and only leave because she has rented her house for the summer, to make an extended visit among her relatives in New England.

I shall remain here until Tuesday next, unless I find a place sooner, and Mrs. Burton will give you any information you may desire regarding my capacity.

I remain, Very Respectfully,

SARAH E. WESTON.

Answer to an Advertisement for a Chambermaid.

(Advertisement pasted in.)

No. St., NASHVILLE, TENN., Feb. 14, 18-.

DEAR MADAM; In answer to the above advertisement, I beg to state that I am about to leave my present situation, as Mrs. Harrington, with whom I have been for the past six years, is about breaking up housekeeping; and I take the opportunity to apply for the position you offer.

Mrs. Harrington assures me that she will take pleasure in recommending me to any person who may apply to her concerning my industry and trustworthiness. MARGARET BALLENTINE.

JOHN CLANCY.

Application for a Situation as Gardener.

7th St., NEW YORK, June 10, 18-.

DEAR SIR: Understanding that you want a gardener, I beg to offer myself as a candidate to fill the place. I have had constant experience for ten years, both in nursery grounds and private gardens, and am thoroughly acquainted with the management of the greenhouse and hothouse.

The enclosed testimonials from gentlemen for whom I have worked, will, I trust, prove satisfactory. My last employer, Mr. Snow, I would like to have you see personally, concerning my fitness for the position. I am a married man, thirty-three years of age. If favorable to my application, please address as above, and oblige,

Your Obedient Servant,

JAMES H. HARPER.

St., BOSTON,
April 10, 18-.

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the higher English branches, and is quite fluent in Latin and German Should you complete an engagement with her I feel confident you will have every reason for being pleased with having done so. Very Truly Yours,

MR. JOHN H. WILLIAMS, Dear Sir: Having been informed that you are in want of a coachman, I take the liberty of enclosing you the accompanying testimonials, to which I ask your attention. Though reared in Deerfield, I have been in Boston for the past fourteen years, having constantly had charge of horses during that time, as I did on the farm before leaving home.

As further evidence of my ability, I may mention that I had chief charge of the Tremont Street Livery Stable until the death of the owner, Mr. Paxton, after which the stock was sold and the stable closed.

Should my application meet your favor, I shall be glad to engage as your coachman, and will do all in my power to merit your approval. Yours Respectfully,

HIRAM WILDER.

Application from a Governess Answering an Advertisement. (Advertisement pasted in.)

No. 784 St., TROY, N. Y.,
July 18, 18-.

MRS. C. B. WILLIAMS, Dear Madam: In answer to the above, I would say that I am seeking such a situation as you offer. My present term of teaching will close August 15th, at which time I would be ready to enter upon the work of superintending the education of your daughters.

I have, for several years, taught the higher English studies, besides German, Latin, and Drawing. For testimonials, I beg to refer you to the principal of my school, Rev. H. B. Watson.

Hoping that I may hear from you soon, and that we may make an arrangement mutually satisfactory, I remain,

Having inserted an advertisement in the papers requiring the services of a governess competent to instruct my two daughters, I will esteem it a great favor if you will inform me concerning the ability of Miss Chandler to give instructions in the higher English studies, German and Drawing, she having referred me to you.

I am especially desirous of securing the services of a young lady whose moral influence will guard my children from danger - one whose amiability of character will make her a pleasant companion as well as teacher. I am much pleased with the appearance of Miss Chandler, and, if your report is favorable, I shall not hesitate to perfect an engagement with her at once.

HARVEY B. WATSON.

Unfavorable Reply to the Foregoing.

GLENHAVEN SEMINARY, N. Y.,
July 21, 18-.

MRS. CLARA B. WILLIAMS, Dear Madam: In reply to your polite enquiries I am sorry to say that the educational acquirements of Miss Chandler, I fear, will not be up to the standard you require. While she has taught the higher English for some years, knowing, as I do, the proficiency of your daughters, I doubt if she is capable of advancing them in their studies. Another very unfortunate fault of which she is possessed, which causes me to dispense with her services at the close of the prcsent term, is her failure to sufficiently command her temper. In other respects I have nothing to say to her prejudice. Regretting that I cannot give a more favorable reply to your letter, I remain, Your Most Obedient Servant, HARVEY B. WATSON.

Answering an Advertisement for an Apprentice to a

MRS. HARRIET MUNSON, Dear Madam:

the situation.

Dressmaker.

[Advertisement pasted in.]

CHICAGO, ILL., Aug. 1, 18—. In answer to the above I respectfully apply for

Though I never took up the business as a trade, I have long been in the habit of doing all the dressmaking for our family and feel myself competent to do all plainer kinds of sewing neatly and rapidly.

Having recently, by the death of an only brother, been thrown upon my own resources, I am thus induced to seek a position which I think I will enjoy.

Hoping that you will accept my services, I remain,
Very Respectfully Yours,
PAMELIA HARRISON.

Answering an Advertisement for an Apprentice to a Printer.

МЕ. А. В. Соок,

TROY GROVE, ILL., Feb. 4, 18-.

Dear Sir: Having seen your advertisement in the last Eagle, I would respectfully apply for the position for my son Henry who is anxious to learn printing. He is well versed in the common English branches, having been regular in attendance at the public school for the past seven years. He is now fifteen.

I would like to have you take him on trial for a few weeks, and, if he pleases you, will arrange to have him remain until he masters the trade. Respectfully Yours,

Z. K. HENDERSON.

mended, of their fitness and capacity for the work they engage in, is always essential, before they can be conscientiously commended to others.

A letter of recommendation should be written in a plain hand, in as few words as can be used to express the idea distinctly.

A recommendation, after considering the moral character of the individual, should relate directly to the work of which the person makes a specialty.

An individual giving a recommendation is, in a certain sense, responsible for the character and ability of the person recommended; hence, certificates of character should be given with caution and care.

Your favor of the 4th inst., relative to the ability of Mr. Benjamin Walker, is received. We take great pleasure in testifying to his high moral worth and his business capacity. He was in our employ for four years, as a salesman, during which time his affability and uniform courtesy to customers, coupled with his truthful representations in regard to goods, made him a universal favorite.

Accurate in accounts, ready and graceful as a penman, attentive and kind to all, he is a most useful man in the counting room, and the firm securing his services may be congratulated on their good fortune. Very Truly Yours,

SMITH & PAXTON.

Recommending a Schoolmistress.

Recommending a Book-keeper.

WHITEHALL, N. Y., Sept. 10, 18-. Mr. Ransom Fellows having been in my employ for the past two years as a bookkeeper, it gives me great pleasure to testify to his

ability. He is an upright, conscientious, exemplary young man, a

good penman and accountant, and a most faithful clerk. He leaves my employ voluntarily, with my best wishes.

MARTIN BIGELOW.

Recommending a Waiter.

TREMONT HOUSE, CHICAGO,

Aug. 11, 18-.

Arthur Brooks, who has been in my employ for two years, has given entire satisfaction, both to myself and guests, as a table waiter. Honest, obliging, and neat, it affords me pleasure, as he now leaves my employ, to commend him as a first-class hotel waiter.

BROWN PORTER, Steward Tremont House.

Recommending a Cook.

HARRISBURG, PA., Dec. 20, 18-. This is to certify that Catharine Miller did the cooking for my family some ten months, to my entire satisfaction, serving me both as a plain and fancy cook. She is very attentive to her work, and strictly honest and reliable. MYRA D. ROWE.

Recommending a Washerwoman.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 7, 18-,

This certifies that Hannah Webber, who has been employed in my laundry for the past year, is an excellent washer and ironer, understanding fine starching, crimping, polishing, etc.

HELEN MAYDWELL.

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LETTER of sympathy and condolence, though unpleasant to write, may afford inexpressible comfort to a friend in the hour of affliction. Make your letter as brief, but earnest and sincere, as possible.

Do not commit the mistake of insinuating that the misfortune is the fault of your friend. Better leave the letter unwritten.

Admit the loss. Do not attempt to make light of it. If you are satisfied that it will eventuate in a blessing, you may gently point the way, but with a full admission of the present deep affliction.

I know that no words can make amends for the great loss you have sustained. I deeply realize, from having passed through a similar bereavement, that expressions of condolence wholly fail to restore the loved and lost one, yet I cannot but hope that the heartfelt sympathy of a sincere friend will not be deemed intrusion on your grief.

It has well been said, that "we weep for the loved and lost because we know that our tears are in vain." I would ease your sorrow, and yet I know not how. We can only acknowledge that the affliction is God's will. Over in the beautiful land to which I trust your life companion has gone, we may not doubt, he is free from the pains that he so long endured here; and when we gather at the river, is it not a sweet consolation to think, that among the loved and lost he may meet you on the other side?

Commending you to Him who doeth all things well, I remain, in the tenderest friendship,

To MRS. CLARA WAYLAND,

Columbus, O.

Your Sincere Friend, WINFIELD BROWN.

COLUMBUS, O., Oct. 20, 18-.

I can scarcely express to you how grateful I am for your sympathizing letter, yet the loss of my husband has so prostrated me that I am hardly able to write this reply.

My friends assure me that time will reconcile me to my great bereavement. Yes, time, and the great consolation that you speak of, which comes from the hope that we will meet our friends in a world where partings are no more, will, I trust, enable me to bear my sorrow. God bless you for your thought of me in the dark hours, and your sweet words of consolation.

I have just learned, on my return from a visit in the far west, of the death of your mother. Having suffered the loss of my mother when a child, I know how to sympathize with you in your affliction; though, fortunately for you, your mother lived to guide the footsteps of her boy till manhood's years had crowned his intellect with judgment, and fixed moral principles. It can truly be said, that in the training of her family, in the church, in the social circle, she always did her duty nobly, and was an ornament to society. Ripened in years, and fully prepared for another state of existence, she passes on now to enjoy the reward of a life well spent on earth.

Restored to maidenhood prime, we cannot doubt that in the flowery walks of spirit life she is the same good woman that we knew so well here.