Chapter II: The Address

_Definition._—The address in the inside of a letter should be the same as the address on the envelope. It consists of the title and name of the person to whom the letter is written, and the place of his residence; as,—

Mr. William K. Bixby,
Houston, Texas.

REMARKS.

There are several reasons why the address should be written within the letter:—

1. Business men usually take an impression or make a copy of all letters written by themselves or their agents. It is a great convenience to have the address within the letter, so that it can be referred to, if necessary, at any time.

2. If the envelope is accidentally torn off, or is lost by not being properly sealed, the letter can still be forwarded to its destination, if the address is written within.

3. It is frequently the habit, on receiving a letter, to destroy the envelope. Sometimes, after the envelope is destroyed, the letter is lost. If there is an inside address, the letter, if found, can be returned.

_Punctuation._—A comma should be placed after the name of the person and of the city. A period should be placed at the end.

REMARKS.

1. By placing _to_ before the address, it will be seen that a period is required at its close, just as a period is required at the end of the address on the envelope; as, To William K. Bixby, Houston, Texas.

2. Some writers place a colon after the name of the state, but the practice is not a correct one. A semicolon should never be used.

_Large Cities._ When the person to whom the letter is written, lives in a large city, the number and name of the street should be given, as on the outside address; as,—

A. S. Barnes & Co.,
34 and 36 Madison St., Chicago.

REMARK.

If three lines are necessary, the title and name should be on the first line, the number and street on the second, the city and state on the third.

_Small Towns and Villages._—When the letter is addressed to a small town or village, the county in which the town or village is situated, should be given; as,—

Mr. George Harvey,
Palmyra, Lenawee Co., Mich.

REMARK.

The title and name should be on one line; the town or village, county, and state should be on the second.

_Letters to Intimate Friends or Relatives._—In writing letters to intimate friends or relatives, the address should be written at the close of the letter, at the left, commencing on the line immediately following the signature. It would be too formal to write the address at the head of the letter, and it would not be in keeping with the introductory words which immediately follow; as,—

Milburn Wagon Works, Toledo, Ohio,
Nov. 2, 1877.

Dear Mother,—

Your letter * * *

* * * * * * * * *

Very affectionately,
Edgar W. Curtis.

Mrs. James E. Curtis,
Adrian, Mich.

REMARK.

When the heading occupies only one line, it is better to leave a blank line between the heading and the address.

_Position._—The address should commence on the left, and should be written on, at least, two lines. The title and name should be on one line; the city and state, on the second, and farther to the right. The address, if possible, should be written on two lines. If the heading consists of two or three lines, the address should commence on the line immediately following the heading. If the heading consists of one line only, a blank line should be left between the heading and the address.