A note that is written in the third person is called a formal note. An invitation sent out by a school, a class in the school, a club, or any group of persons is likely to be in the third person; and we must remember to answer it in the third person.

Consider every detail of the forms given below; for example, the writing of the full word instead of using a figure.

1. Mr. and Mrs. William Walker request the pleasure of,Mr. Henry Green's company at dinner on Thursday evening, May the third, at seven o'clock.

1017 Avon Street,

April twenty-seventh.

2. Mr. Green accepts with pleasure Mr. and Mrs. William Walker's kind invitation to dinner on Thursday evening, May the third, at seven o'clock.

5 Williams Street,

April twenty-eighth.

3. Mr. Green regrets that he cannot accept Mr. and Mrs. William Walker's kind invitation to dinner on Thursday evening, May the third.

5 Williams Street,

April twenty-eighth.

4. The Class of Nineteen Hundred and Twelve.

Bristol Conservatory of Music requests the honor of your presence at the Commencement Exercises.

Wednesday, June the twentieth at'two o'clock.

Tremont Temple.

Bristol.

5. Mr. William H. Brown accepts with pleasure the kind invitation of the Class of Nineteen Hundred and Twelve, Bristol Conservatory of Music, to attend the Commencement Exercises, Wednesday, June the twentieth, at two o'clock, in Tremont Temple.

You will find there is a reason for every bit of information given in both invitations and replies. Why is it desirable in 3 to repeat the words dinner, Thursday evening, May the third, and seven o'clock? In answering this question, take the point of view of the hostess.

Do not say, "A previous engagement will prevent." One accepts or sends regrets at the time of writing.

Your is used in 4 for the reason that it would cost too much to engrave the name of each person on his invitation.

Exercises

183. Write a formal invitation to an entertainment.

184. Accept the invitation orally.

185. Decline it in writing.