Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1893 — How to Seal a Letter. [ARTICLE]

How to Seal a Letter.

The ability to “seal” a letter correctly is said to be one of the lost arts. In the good old days of goose quills, loose sand for blotting, and fine sealing wax fer adhesive purposes, delicacy and dexterity in putting the wax in the right place witßout burning one’s fingers was a necessary part of a liberal education. Nowadays the art has almost passed out of remembrance. Here is the correct method of sealing a letter: When the letter is ready lay the seal on the table, at your right hand, and in such a position that when used the impression may be square and right side up. Then hold the wax above the flame of the gas or candle, but not near enough to burn. When the wax has been gradually softened apply it with a circular movement upon the place to be sealed; rub it well around and down until you have the circle of proper size and thickness. The wax, still soft, has cooled sufficiently to take a clear impression. Hold the envelope a little distance from the flame until the wax has again become soft, then moisten the seal and apply it. The result will be a clearcut impression. There will be no adhesion of wax to seal, no breaking and no irregular wax strings hanging about the paper. The letter cannot be opened without destruction of the seal itself, which in old conventional style will serve as the security of the contents of the letter.