The Art of Letter Writing ~ Courting Customs in America

Imagine a young couple, very much in love and living miles apart from each other. In the era before the invention of the telephone, the only means of communication was letter writing.

Letter writing was considered a form of courtship. It was a manner in which a suitor would try to secure the respect and consideration of the person whom he corresponded with.

The rules for letter writing included proper regard for composition and naturalness of expression.

LETTER WRITING RULES:

1. Write letters often

2 Wait for a response before dashing off another correspondence

3. Keep the particulars to a minimum

4. If you are 'familiar' with the corespondent, openly but properly express the feelings

5. Pay attention to whom the recollection of the heart be garnered


** While there were certain exceptions, correspondence was to be conducted only with the consent and approval of the parents **

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As a rule, the love was to be very guardedly written. Ladies, especially, were advised to be very careful to maintain their dignity when writing them.

No man, who was declared to be a gentlemen, would ever boast of his love conquests, among companions or reveal to others the correspondence between himself and a lady

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When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate