The Gift of a Letter

Interior designer Stoddard ( Styles for Living ) here recommends writing letters as a rewarding way of keeping in touch with relatives and friends instead of relying on the ubiquitous telephone. She describes her own satisfactions as a devotee of the neglected practice, but not everyone will embrace her tips on personalizing one's letters, which include writing with colored inkswith a $500 fountain pen, perhaps?/perhaps;she does suggest bying a proper fountain pen, meaning expensive.gs , using engraved stationery and monogrammed notes, inserting ``special treasures'' such as a pressed flower. On the other hand, Stoddard bolsters her arguments in favor of letter-writing with quotes from Edith Wharton, Colette and Samuel Johnson, among others who made an art of correspondence. And few readers will disagree with the author's main point: it is a pleasure to receive letters and worth the effort to write them.she doesn't have my semi-literate friends apparently.gs (June)