Below the rank of Royalty there are two ways of addressing, beginning, and ending letters. Friends and acquaintances write informally, and address persons of rank with less punctilio; whereas tradespeople and employees are expected to write with formality. The following will show the difference:

Dukes

Formal Informal Address: " To His " The Duke of-------"

Grace the Duke of _________>>

Beginning: " My " Dear Duke," or

Lord Duke, - May it "My Dear Duke." please your Grace."

Ending: "I have " Believe me, very the honour to be, sincerely, or faithyour Grace's fully, or truly, yours." obedient servant."

Duchesses

Address: "To Her " The Duchess of Grace the Duchess of -------"

Or, " To Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of-------*

Beginning: ." Madam, - May it "DearDuchess,"or please your Grace." " My Dear Duchess."

Ending: " Your " Believe me, dear Grace's obedient ser- Duchess," or " My vant." dear Duchess, yours," etc.

Marquises

Address: " To the " The Marquis of

Most Noble the Mar- -------" quis of-------"

Beginning: "My " Dear Lord-------"

Lord Marquis."

Ending: "I have " Believe me, the honour to be, Very sincerely, Your Lordship's yours." obedient servant."

Marchionesses

Address: " The ' The Marchioness

Most Noble the Mar- of-------" chioness of-------"

Beginning: ' Madam, - May it " Dear Lady------please your ladyship." Ending: "I have ' Believe me, the honour to re- Very sincerely, main, your Lady- yours." ship's most obedient servant." lf the reigning duke is married, his mother becomes dowager, to distinguish her from the reigning duchess. Or she may he addressed as " Mary Duchess of-----," preceded always by " Her Grace "

Earls

Formal Informal

Address: " To the "The Earl of-------"

Right Honble. the Earl of-------"

Beginning: "My " Dear Lord-------"

Lord."

Ending: "I have " Believe me, the honour to be, Very sincerely,

Your Lordship's yours.'" obedient servant."

Countesses

Address: " To the " The Countess of

Right Honble. the -------"

Countess of-------"

Beginning: " Dear Lady-------'

" Madam."

Ending: " Your " Yours," etc. Ladyship's obedient servant."

Viscounts

Address: "To the "The Viscount

Right Honble. Vis- -------" count-------"

Beginning: " My " Dear Lord-------"

Lord."

Ending: " Your " Yours," etc. Lordship's obedient servant."

»

Viscountesses

Same as Countesses.

Barons

Address: "To the Right Honble. the

Baron-------"

Beginning and ending as for Earls.

Baronesses

Address: " To the " The Lady------"

Right Honble. Lady

Beginning and ending as for Countesses.

Baronets

Address: "Sir The same.

John------, Bart."

Beginning: " Sir." " Dear Sir John." Ending: "I have " Yours," etc. the honour to remain, Yours most respectfully."