In the conclusion of a letter there are the complimentary close and the signature.

The complimentary close, like the salutation, should be in harmony with the relations existing between the writer and his correspondent. The most common business forms are:

Yours truly, or Truly yours,

Yours very truly, or Very truly yours.

A form especially appropriate in addressing an honorable body, or a person older than the writer, though used also as a regular business form, is:

Yours respectfully, or Respectfully yours.

Specimens of forms which serve as appropriate endings for letters of friendship, and sometimes for letters of business, are:

Sincerely yours, Faithfully yours, Cordially yours, Fraternally yours, or Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully, etc.

As the letter in section 56 shows, the place for the complimentary close is on the line below the last words of the body of the letter. It should be noted, too, that in the forms given above, the first word only begins with a capital, and the last word is followed by a comma.

The signature goes on the line below the complimentary close, and a little to the right. It should give the reader all the information he needs for making a suitable reply. As a rule it is well to write the first name in full. A stranger may be puzzled to know whether J. D. Brown is a man or a woman; whereas he could tell at a glance if it were Jennie D. Brown or John D. Brown. In writing to a stranger, a woman should sign her name in one of the following ways:

1. Emma L. Brown.

(Mrs. James A. Brown)

2. (Miss) Sarah E. Lathrop.

3. S. E. Lathrop.

(Miss Sarah E. Lathrop, Macon, Ga).

4. (Mrs.) Mary W. Bliss.

Exercises

168. Write A Subscription For The Youth's Companion. Exchange papers and, as examiner, give especial attention to the arrangement of the letter.

164. Give headings, salutations, and conclusions that you might use in writing to (1) a teacher; (2) a physician; (3) an intimate friend; (4) the city council; (5) the chairman of the board of selectmen; (6) the mayor; (7) the superintendent of schools; (8) a member of your family; (9) an unmarried woman whom you have not met; (10) an unmarried woman whom you know slightly; (11) a man much older than yourself.

Note. In addressing important officials like the mayor or the governor, there is no prescribed form of salutation. It is only necessary to show due respect and formality. For example, one way of addressing a mayor is:

Honorable William A. Bent, Sir:

To His Honor,

The Mayor of San Francisco.