Envelopes should be addressed to the recipient with the full name and necessary prefix—-Mr., Mrs., or Miss.
The Mr., however, must be omitted if Esq. is written after the name. The English custom limits the use of Esquire to those who are technically gentlemen. For example, Esq. is placed after the name in addressing a barrister, but it must not be used in writing to a tradesman, who is given only the prefix Mr.
The prefix Mr. is used when Junior or Senior is indicated after the name by an abbreviation. In such case, Esq. must never be written.
It must be noted also that in the case of addresses, as with cards, to which attention has already been given, the husband’s title must not be given to the wife. Mrs. Colonel, Mrs. Doctor, Mrs. Professor, and the like, are barbarisms, which are not tolerated in America or England. The Germans, however, use them.
The phrase before the signature to a letter varies according to the circumstances, and especially according to the individual taste. Thus, in concluding a very formal communication, it is quite proper to use the old-fashioned wording, I am, my dear Madam, your obedient servant. An ordinary convenient form that covers a wide field is, I remain, Yours sincerely, or Yours faithfully, or Yours cordially, writing I remain on one line, and the Yours, etc., on the line below. Thus:
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Yours truly, or Very truly yours, is best reserved for business communications. Yours respectfully is applicable for business communications, and also for letters addressed to superiors, and for use generally as a rather meaningless style.
Men of exalted position are commonly addressed as Sir without any qualifying word. And the form in ending is, I have, Sir, the honor to remain Your most obedient servant—Your, etc., forming a separate line.
A letter of a social sort would begin, My dear Mr. President.
The like form would suffice for the vice-president, except for a letter of social character, when he should be addressed by name, My dear Mr. .........................