No man in decent society ever puts “Mr.” before his own name, except on visiting-cards. There, usage has made it proper. A married lady or a young girl always has “Mrs.” or “Miss” on her cards, and, of late, men have got into the habit of putting “Mr.” on theirs. No man of taste ever puts “Mr.” before or “Esq.”[[1]] after his own name when signing a letter.
[1]. The title Esq. really belongs only to those connected with the legal profession, but republican usage has much extended it.
Another fault against taste is a habit—prevalent only in America—of writing social letters under business headings. Here is an example:
J. J. Robinson & Co.,
New York.
Manufacturers and Dealers in the Newest Styles
of Coffins, Caskets, and Embalming Fluids.
Orders carefully attended to.
All payments C.O.D.
No deductions for damages allowed after thirty days.