| everyone is | | | | supposed to | | | | know his name | | | | or find it | | | | out. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +-------------------+----------
---------------+----------------+---------------- | Dear Mr. Smith:  | I beg to remain, | Faithfully, | Mr. Smith | | Yours very truly. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +===================+=========================+=============
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[Footnote B:  Although our Ambassadors and Ministers represent the United States of America, it is customary both in Europe and Asia to omit the words United States and write to and speak of the American Embassy and Legation.  In addressing a letter to one of our representatives in countries of the Western Hemisphere, “The United States of America” is always specified by way of courtesy to the Americans of South America.]

Foreign persons of title are not included in the foregoing diagram because an American (unless in the Diplomatic Service) would be unlikely to address any but personal friends, to whom he would write as to any others.  An envelope would be addressed in the language of the person written to:  “His Grace, the Duke of Overthere (or merely The Duke of Overthere), Hyde Park, London”; “Mme. la Princess d’Acacia, Ave. du Bois, Paris”; “Il Principe di Capri, Cusano sul Seveso”; “Lady Alwin, Cragmere, Scotland,” etc.  The letter would begin, Dear Duke of Overthere (or Dear Duke), Dear Princess, Dear Countess Aix, Dear Lady Alwin, Dear Sir Hubert, etc., and close, “Sincerely,” “Faithfully,” or “Affectionately,” as the case might be.

Should an American have occasion to write to Royalty he would begin:  “Madam” (or Sir), and end:  “I have the honor to remain, madam (or Sir), your most obedient.” ("Your most obedient servant” is a signature reserved usually for our own President—­or Vice-President.)