The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-06
Letters and Letter Writing.

We are not now so distant as formerly IN
the commencement of our letters, and use
more friendly openings (such as dear
Sir" "My dear Sir'' than our fathers did,
ssh" alone, was once nearly universal, but
is now usually considered cold. Even How
ell, who was most inventive in his endlngS,
usually commences with SIR, although once
he breaks forth with "Hail! half of my
soul" Such beginnings as "Right wor,
shipful Father" "Good Sir" "Honored
Sir, >" Respected Sir, are quite out of date
but many writer's adopt a variety in their
commandments, and do not always follow
the beaten track; thus the great Chatham
wrote to his wife. "Be of cheer, noble love.
In modern letters we miss the use OF some
of the quaint and loving expressions OF for
mer days, such one, for instance, as the
good old word "heart, for is there not al
ways charm about an old letter beginning
with the words "Dear Hearth" The ending
of letter requires some taste, and many
find it as difficult to close one gracefully as
to finish conversation and leave room with
ease. The Il remain" requires to be led up
to, and not to be added to the letter without
connection There is large gamut OF
choice for endings, from the official "I our
obedient servant" and high and mighty
"Your humble servant" to the friendly
"Yours truly" "Yours sincerely" and
yours affectionately." Some persons vary
the forrR, and slightly intensity the expires
sion, by placing the word yours last, as
F. 7 se;ssslf,g}ly yours" James Howell used a
great variety of endings, such as "Yours
inviolably, Yours entirely" your entire
friend, " Yours verify and invariably,
"Yours really" "Yours in no vulgar way
of friendship" Yours to dispose Of"
"Yours while J. H." "YourS! Yours
Yours!' Walpole writes, "Yours very
much" "Yours most cordially" and to
Hannah More in 1889, "Yours more and
more" Mr.. Bright some years ago ended
a controversial letter in the following biting
terms, I" l am, sir, with whatever respect is
due to you" The old Board of Commits
sioners of the Navy used form of subscrip-
ton very different from the ordinary official
one. 1t was their habit to subscribe their
letters (even letters of reproof) to such Of
fcers as were not of noble families or bore
titles, Your afectionate friends" 1t is
said that this practice was discontinued in
consequence of distinguished captain ad
ding to his letter to the Board, "Your affec
tionate friend" He was thereupon desired
to discontinue the expression, when he re,
piled, q am, gentlemen, no longer your af'
fectionate friend" The expression was
supposed to have been adopted from James,
Duke of York, who, when Lord High AID
miral, always SO subscribed his official let
tiers; but we have found letter from the
Navy Office to the Officers of the Ordinance
dated "9th May, 1858" which is subscribed
"Your very loveing friends" The position
of the writer's name was once matter Of
consequence in Europe, as it is now in the
, East, and this appears from the following
: curious directions in Angel Days "Englist
Secretary" 1559.) "And now to the sub
scriptions, the diversities whereof are (ai
best they may be allotted in Sense) to either
of these to bee placed, forwarned alwaiei
unto the unskilfull herein, that, writing tt
anie person of account, by howe much the
more excellent hee is in calling from him IL
whose behalfe the Letter is framed, by 81
much the lower shall the subscription there
unto belonging in any wise be placed. AM
Il if thee5tate of honour of him to whone thu
Letter shall be directed doe require so much
the verie lowest margent of paper shall d'
no more but beare it, so bee it the space be-
, seemelie for the name, and the room fair
though to comprehend it."-British Guar
terly Re0ieW.