I read in "Words, facts, & Phrases, a dictionary of curious, quain, and out-of-the-way matters" by Eliezer Edwards, Chatto & Windus, London, 1901. [a book that echos, but does not match Brewer's "Dictionary of Phrase and Fable"] That the phrase "I remain..." should not be used on an initial letter. In the first letter, one writes, "I am..." and only on subsequent exchanges of correspondence does one write "I remain..." Who knew? Mike Poston Rockville, Maryland To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html