Dear Sir?
Unlike the letters written to Dan and Abigail Gunn, all of the letters written to F. W. Gunn start with the phrase, “Dear Sir.” The letters written to Dan and Abigail, in comparison, start with “Dear Dan,” and “Dear Friend,” respectively. This distinction is interesting, considering how close the two truly are [See relationship between Mr. Gunn and Charley Goodyear]. However, this sudden formality is likely more cultural than anything else. He was still, Mr. Gunn’s inferior in age and status, as well as a pupil. Also, these were serious letters written between two men. These cases, combined, likely account for the otherwise oddly placed term of respect. If we had the letters from Mr. Gunn to Charles, they too would likely have begun with “Dear Sir.”