Page:The practice of typography; correct composition; a treatise on spelling, abbreviations, the compounding and division of words, the proper use of figures and nummerals by De Vinne, Theodore Low, 1828-1914.djvu/129

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Capitals for titles of honor
115
  • President Harrison's first pension agent was Corporal James Tanner.
  • A plan sanctioned by President Cleveland.
  • Engineer Roberts Mr. Robinson
  • Janitor Jones
  • Messrs. R. Hoe & Co.
  • Officer Jenkins
  • Queen Victoria

When the title of an official follows his name, the capital need not be used in good book-work for the first letter of that title, but it is frequently so used in newspapers and advertising pamphlets as a method of modified display. Copy so capitalized should be followed, but this method of using the capital letters is not recommended.

  • James G. Elaine, secretary of state.
  • Alexis, grand duke and envoy extraordinary.
  • C. B. Farwell, ex-senator from Illinois.
  • William Gedney, first lieutenant, Company I.
  • Frank Wood, roundsman, Broadway squad.

A too frequent use of capital letters for titles spots the page and makes the titles much more prominent than the names ; yet capitals must be used if so requested by the author. One rule should prevail for all appended titles, but the selection of a capital should not depend upon the relative rank of the person. This rule is too often set aside. In official documents it is common to capitalize the titles of potentates, even when they follow the name.

Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, Defender of the Faith, etc.