The Conclusion consists of the complimentary close and the signature. The forms of the complimentary close are many, and are determined by the relation of the writer to the one addressed. In letters of friendship may be used Your sincere friend; Yours affectionately; Your loving son or daughter, etc. In business letters, use Yours; Yours truly; Truly yours; Yours respectfully; Very respectfully yours, etc. In official letters use I am, with respect, your obedient servant; I have the honor to be your obedient servant, etc.
The complimentary close often forms part of the last paragraph; at other times it stands separately, and then it usually begins about the middle of the line. Example:
Very sincerely
Mary E. Shattuck.
A married woman should sign her own given name, but indicate her proper title of address; thus:
Mrs. J. F. Martin.
The Superscription, on the outside of the envelope, is the same as the address, consisting of the name, the titles, and the full directions of the one addressed. It should be written very plainly, and include the town, county, state, and country, if it goes abroad.
The number of the postoffice box, or the door number and the name of the street, or the name of the county, may stand at the lower left-hand corner.
Style of Letters.—It makes a considerable difference in our style whether we write as officials or business men, or as individual members of society.
The style should be determined in some measure by the nature of the subject, but in a still greater degree by the relative positions of the writer and the person addressed. On important subjects, the composition is expected to be forcible and impressive, on lighter subjects, easy and vivacious; in condolence, tender and sympathetic; in congratulation, lively and joyous. To superiors, it should be respectful; to inferiors, courteous; to friends, familiar; and to relatives, affectionate.
We may, therefore, usefully distinguish letters into three kinds—official or business letters and personal or social letters, and ceremonial letters or notes.