The Broken Engagement

A broken engagement is an embarrassing ordeal for both parties, but it is better to face such an ordeal than to make a disastrous marriage.

When the engagement is broken, the engagement ring must be returned immediately, and all presents of value should be returned also. However, it is much nicer to write and say that the presents need not be returned.

If any wedding presents have been received by either party, these should be returned with a brief courteous note of explanation. Letters should be returned with a polite note requesting the return of the writer's letters.

Whether or not it is she who really wishes to withdraw, the responsibility for breaking off an engagement should be left to the girl. This is only tactful, as inevitably it is the woman who bears the major part of the gossip which is bound to ensue. A letter from a girl to her fiance*, breaking off their engagement might be as follows:

The Crescent,
Bannow.

My Dear Philip,

I can understand your letter although it was not such as I expected. It is as if you were undecided whether to go or come, which to me means that you wish to go. If so, I certainly have too much self-respect to ask you to remain. You, obviously, do not love me. I have made up your letters and presents into a parcel which will be left at your office to-morrow. When you have time, please return my letters.

Goodbye,
Margaret

If the girl announces the news to her friends, only a brief note is necessary, e.g.:

Dear Eileen,

Since I wrote to you last, Norman and I have decided to end our engagement.   We both felt that it was the right thing to do.

Yours affectionately,
Joan

If the engagement is broken before the wedding invitations are issued, and the girl wishes to make a newspaper announce¬ment, this might be worded:

The engagement of Alan Everett Brookman, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Brookman of 18, Pont Square, Westminster, and Rosemary Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.Walters, of Oak Cottage, Bramfield, Gloucester, has been broken by mutual consent.

If the engagement is broken after the wedding invitations have been issued, the guests should be notified in good time. It may be necessary to telephone or to send a telegram, but it is preferable to send a card, e.g.:

Mr. and Mrs. John Walters
announce that the marriage of their daughter
Rosemary Ann
with
Mr. Alan Everett Brookman
will not take place.

It is important to remember that the above card is sent only to recall wedding invitations, and that an engagement broken before the wedding invitations are issued is never announced in this fashion. Any newspaper announcement would be worded in a similar manner.

If the engagement was announced only to a few intimate friends, a note is sent by the bride's mother, stating that the engagement has been broken.    No explanation is given.

A Letter of Condolence

2,000 Charles Street,
W.I.

My Dear Mary,

As one of your oldest friends I claim the right to sympathize with you in the great trouble you have just sustained the breaking off of your engagement.

I must admit that for some time I had felt that you were not as happy as you should have been. I sincerely trust, however, that time will heal your wound, and that we shall find that, as is so often the case, things have turned out for the best. In the mean¬time accept my sincerest sympathy and let me know when I may come and have a chat with you.

Yours sincerely,
Rosemary