The Do's and Don'ts of Victorian Letter Writing.

Before the modern age of emails, texting, faxes, and instant messaging we had the hand written letter. The Victorians wrote letters of apology, letters of congratulations, letters of introduction, just to mention a few.

The proper Victorian lady was obliged to convey news and information through an attractive letter. Her talent for letter-writing was not only a social obligation, but a skill that she was expected to cultivate, naturally or through practice. Her aptitude for letter-writing indicated her level of breeding. Both ladies and gentlemen were judged not only by the elegance and eloquence of words chosen, but by their penmanship.

Regardless of its purpose, each letter was expected to conform to a very strict list of basic do's and don'ts:

1. Do not write an anonymous letter.
2. Do not conduct private correspondence on a postal card, as they are considered a "cheap" version of a letter.
3. Do not use lined paper for formal letters.
4. Do not write on a half-sheet of paper for the sake of economy.
5. Do not underline words. Let your choice of vocabulary and expressiveness of thought convey your depth of feeling.
6. Do not use abbreviated words, as it indicates the letter was written hastily.
7. Do not erase misspelled words in letters of importance; do recopy the entire letter.
8. Do not use a postscript except in very friendly letters.
9. Do not fill up margins with forgotten ideas and messages but instead add an extra sheet to the letter.
10. Do give every subject a separate paragraph.
11. Do write letters by hand; the typewriter was considered the most vulgar thing to use on a personal letter!
12. Do match the writing style to whom the letter was addressed to; for example, a letter to a business tradesman should be polite but distant in its tone.
13. Do not refold the letter; rather, do be sure to fold it correctly the first time.
14. Do read the letter over carefully before sending.

So true now in this modern age the letter is a dying art, that is no longer even taught in our schools. Within the Victorian Lifestyle Household, this art and its strict protocols of structure could very easily be adapted as both a necessity for its staff, and a punishment in some cases as well.