Following up on Brent Tarter's message: there is a brief treatment of "letter forms" in Fowler's Modern English Usage (1944 edition), which notes three contexts in which "your obedient servant" might [still] be used: in letters "from or to officials"; in "letters to the Editor in newspapers"; and in letters from "servant to master &c." The newest (Burchfield, 3rd) edition of Fowler, though a fine reference, has no additional commentary on this phrase. Douglas Deal Professor of History and Director of General Education State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NY 13126 [log in to unmask] (315)-312-5631 (voice mail) (315)-312-3577 (FAX) To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html