When money owing to any person is paid, a receipt for it should always be given—that is to say, it should be acknowledged in writing that the money has changed hands. If the receiver merely takes it and puts it in her pocket, she who pays will have no security, except the receiver’s good faith and good memory, against being called on to pay the sum a second time. A receipt may be given in any form of words, but the following are correct forms for business purposes— _LONDON, 15th September, 1886._ £17 4s. 6d. _Received from Miss Rose Hastaway, Chester, the sum of seventeen pounds four shillings and sixpence in payment of account rendered (or of annexed account.)_ FLORA MALCOLM. _GUILDFORD, 12th July, 1886._ _Received from Mrs. Trundle the sum of six pounds seven shillings and ninepence, in payment of account to this date._ £6 7s. 9d. ELIZABETH BADGER. On all receipts for money amounting to £2 or upwards you must put a penny stamp. Not long ago there was a stamp sold expressly for the purpose, but now a penny postage stamp is used, which is much simpler. The stamp may be placed anywhere, but is best where the signature is, the signature being written across it. If the receipt of money is acknowledged in a letter, the stamp should be put at the end, just where you sign your name. It is always better, however, to give a separate and formal receipt. The Government require that either the name or the initials of the person giving the receipt be put on the stamp, _together with the true date of writing_, the object being to show clearly and distinctly that the stamp has been used. Ordinarily the date is given in a contracted form, for instance, the two receipts given above would have “15. ix. 86” under the name of Flora Malcolm, and “12. vii. 86” under that of Elizabeth Badger. Figures representing the amount for which the receipt is given are often added also. Whoever gives the receipt pays for the stamp, and the penalty for refusing to give a duly stamped receipt in any case where the receipt is liable to duty is £10. When you receive money as a loan, you may acknowledge it by what is called an I O U, which is in this form:— _CARLISLE, 3rd October, 1886._ _To Miss Alice Golightly, I O U three pounds ten shillings._ ANNE WINKLE. I O U’s are not much in favour in business; they are rather friendly documents than business ones. An I O U does not need a stamp, whatever the amount may be, as it is simply an acknowledgment of a debt, and neither a receipt nor a promissory note—that is, a note giving a promise to pay at a particular time. Suppose Miss Winkle had written, “_I O U Three pounds ten shillings to be paid on the 2nd of January, 1887_,” she would have changed her I O U into a promissory note, which would have required a stamp.