3. When dear, respected, honored, and words of a like character, are not the first words of the salutation, they should commence with a small letter; as, My dear Sir, My respected Friend. If they commence the salutation, capitals should be used; as, Dear Father, Respected Friend.
Punctuation.—A comma should be placed after the salutation, and a dash may also be used. The use of the dash, however, is simply a matter of taste.
REMARKS.
1. A colon should not be placed after the greeting, except in official or very formal salutations. See p. [100].
2. A semicolon should never be used.
Position.—The introductory words may be written in three different positions:—
1. When the address occupies two lines, the salutation should be written on the line immediately following, commencing a little to the right of the second line of the address; as,
Mr. Harry B. Hutchins,
Mt. Clemens, Mich.
Dear Sir,—
2. If the address consists of three lines, the first word of the salutation commences on a line with the number of the street; as,—