_Mrs. S.M. Thomas,_ _Care of_ _St. Louis,_ _H.H. Johnson_ _Mo._] In sending a letter by a friend or acquaintance, and not through the mail, acknowledge the courtesy of your friend on the envelope. The letter should not be sealed. The following is the proper form: [Illustration: _Mrs. Julia C. Wheeler,_ _734 Simson Street,_ _Kindness (or Politeness) of_ _Dayton,_ _James Steinfield._ _Ohio._] A note or letter sent to a friend residing in the same place, by a messenger, may be addressed as follows, or bear the full address: [Illustration: _Miss Mary Wyman,_ _Presented._] FORM OF A LETTER. [Illustration: _Denver, May 13, 1881._ _My Esteemed Friend:_ _I received your very good letter, and hasten to reply. I am overjoyed at the prospects of a speedy return to the ancient, but delightful "City of the Straits," and anticipate spending a pleasant summer with you and my many friends. We are making preparations to leave June 5th._ _Your old friend,_ _Joe J. Wilson_ _Geo. W. Smyth,_ _Detroit, Mich._] DEGREES OF FORMALITY OBSERVED. In commencing and signing notes and letters there is a difference of opinion in the degrees of formality to be observed, but generally this scale is used according to the degree of acquaintance or friendship. "Madam" or "Sir," "Dear Madam" or "Dear Sir," "My Dear Madam" or "My Dear Sir," "Dear Mrs. Brown" or "Dear Mr. Brown," "My Dear Mrs. Brown" or "My Dear Mr. Brown," "My Dear Friend." In closing a note, the degrees are implied as follows: "Truly Yours" or "Yours Truly," "Very Truly Yours," "Sincerely Yours," "Cordially Yours," "Faithfully Yours," "Affectionately Yours." The proper words should be carefully selected, as the conclusion of a note or letter makes an impression on the person reading it. To aged persons the form, "With great respect, sincerely yours," recommends itself as a proper form. "Yours, etc.," is considered a rude ending. If you are sufficiently well acquainted with a person to address her "My Dear Mrs. ----," do not sign "Yours Truly," or "Truly Yours," as this is the form to be used in writing to strangers or in business letters. SIGNATURE OF LADIES. A married lady should not sign herself with the "Mrs." before her baptismal name, or a single lady with the "Miss." In writing to strangers who do not know whether to address you as Mrs. or Miss, the address should be given in full, after signing your letter; as "Mrs. John Smith," followed by the direction; or if unmarried, the "Miss" should be placed in brackets a short distance preceding the signature.