221 LADY OP QUALITY 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 j whereas tradespeople and employees arc 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 Lord Duke, — May it please your Grace." Ending : "I have the honour to be, Your Grace's obedient servant." " Dear Duke," or " My Dear Duke." " Believe me, very sincerely, or faith- fully, or truly, yours." DUCHESSES Address :" To Her " The Duchess of Grace the Duchess of " Or, " To Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of * Beginning : "Madam, — May it "Dear Duchess, "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 Most Noble the Mar- quis of " Beginning : " My Lord Marquis." Ending : "I have the honour to be, Your Lordship's obedient servant." The Marquis of Dear Lord- " Believe me. Very sincerely, yours. MARCHIONESSES of Address : " The " The Marchioness Most Noble the Mar- chioness of " Beginning : " Madam, — May it please your lady- ship." Ending : "I have the honour to re- main, your Lady- ship's most obedient servant."
- If the reigning duke is married, his mother becomes
dowager, to distinguish her from the reigning duchess. Or she ni.'^y be addressed as " Mary Pvichcis of ," prec<;ded always by " Her Grace •' Dear Lady — " Believe me, Very sincerely, yours. EARLS Formal Informal Address : " To the " The Earl of- Right Honble. the Earl of " Beginning : " My " Dear Lord - Lord." Ending : "I have the honour to be, Your Lordship's obedient servant." " Believe me, Very sincerely, yours." 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 To the "The Viscount Address Right Honble. Vis- count " Beginning : " My Lord." Ending : " Your Lordship's obedient servant." " Dear Lord- " Yours," etc. 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." Ending : "I have the honour to re- main, Yours most rpspectfully." To be coniinKcd^ " Dear Sir John.' " Y'ours," etc.
