Part 110

The complimentary conclusion, "Yours truly," "Very truly yours," "Very respectfully," etc., should begin about the middle of the page on the next line below the body of the letter. The first word only should be capitalized, and the expression followed by a comma. The signature should come on the line below and end at the right-hand margin of the page. The address also is sometimes, especially in social notes given at the conclusion, where it should begin, one or two lines below the signature, at the left-hand margin of the page, occupying two or more lines, according to its length, as:

DEAR MISS LOTHROP:

In reply to your kind note, I would say, etc.

Cordially yours,

MARION KENT.

2 Arcade Court, Chicago, Ill., October 5, 189-.

Another very formal style would be:

21 DELAWARE PLACE, BUFFALO, N.Y., June 1, 189-.

DEAR MISS LOTHROP: In reply to your kind note, etc.

Truly yours,

GEORGE HARLAND.

To MISS JULIA LOTHROP, 110 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.

The conclusion of a letter gives the writer fully as much latitude of style as the salutation. Some graceful little phrase should follow the subject-matter of the letter and lead up to the conclusion, thus:

I am, with love to the family, and remembrances to all my friends,

Yours cordially,

MARY ROE.

Salutation and conclusion should always correspond in formality or friendliness with one another, thus: MR. JOHN BRIGHT. SIR: would appropriately conclude with: I am, sir, Respectfully yours, FRANK B. FOLSOM.

A friendly letter beginning: DEAR BRIGHT: or, MY DEAR BRIGHT: would terminate thus: Cordially yours, FRANK B. FOLSOM.

Other forms for closing business letters are: I am, respectfully, JAMES ROSS. Or, Respectfully, JAMES ROSS.

These forms do away with the personal pronoun "Yours," which, although custom has in reality rendered it a pure formality, still retains a certain meaning in the minds of some, as the man, who, in a long correspondence with his wife-that-was-to-be, never signed a letter otherwise than "Truly yours." "What more could I be," he queried, "than hers truly, body and soul?" and with this feeling could their married life have been other than it was, beautiful to look upon?

Never abbreviate the conclusion to "Yours, etc.;" it has too much the careless, thankless sound of "Thanks," and neither can be sufficiently condemned.

Letters beginning, MY DEAR MARGARET: or, MY DEAR DAUGHTER: might end, respectively: Ever yours, or, Your friend, JANE BROWN. And, Your affectionate mother, GERTRUDE MASON.

A gentleman, writing to a lady, could say: Very sincerely (or respectfully) yours, P.H. GOULD. Or, Yours, with sincere regard, HENRY GRAYSON.

The address need not be added unless the acquaintance is very slight. At times a more elaborate closing is desirable and graceful, as when the correspondent is very much higher in station, or older in years, or you have been the recipient of some great favor at his or her hands:

I am, dear madam, with the most profound esteem,

Yours sincerely, JAMES TALBOT.

Or, to a gentleman, under like circumstances:

I have the honor to be, sir, Yours most respectfully, JAMES TALBOT.