Sign-off
Sir: Paul Johnson's objection (12 Decem- ber) to the Daily Telegraph identifying the Bishop of Norwich by name and title, rather than by his old Latin designation, at the end of a letter, seems to be based on a surprising failure to recognise that usage is less formal nowadays while the need for brevity and clarity is ever more important. The Latin would be appreciated by far fewer readers than in the time of the Morning Post, so a costly extra line ex- plaining who the writer is would be re- quired at the top of a letter.
The substance of polite form is retained by beginning letters to the Telegraph `Sir'; but 'Dear' and 'Yours faithfully' are no longer used. The name at the bottom is, therefore, really an identification in print rather than a signature. Of course, the old practice was abandoned with regret which perhaps one partial reversion to old style recently may have stirred afresh. I would like to end here by assuring you, Sir, that I remain yours faithfully. But I notice that The Spectator, too, has acceded to the pressure of space on its letters page. So I am simply,
David Twiston Davies
Letters Editor, Daily Telegraph, London E14
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