Book 3 — Book III. Salutatio
Reading edition
The three kinds of dictamen are: (1) prose, i.e., free composition (sermo communis, or solutus); (2) metrical; (3) rhythmical (genus rithmicum), which observes syllabic equality and rime.[26] “Since we have nothing, however, to do with the two others, ... let us now proceed to the prose dictamen, the dictamen of letters; for that is demanded of all and recognized as of great utility. It increases eloquence, promotes favor, enlarges honors, and often enriches the needy.” The typical parts of a letter—there may be more, or fewer—are salutatio, exordium, petitio, conclusio. This whole book is devoted to prescriptions for the first. The salutatio must always be in the third person. Its order is determined by the relation of the rank or dignity of the sender to that of the recipient, though this in certain cases is waived. It is careful of titles and of their appropriate modifiers.
The use of Dei gratia with a title is determined specifically. “The main consideration, however, in any salutatio is who is writing to whom; for there must always be made an adjustment of the one to the other (collatio personarum). The Pope thus salutes the Emperor: ‘dilecto filio F. romanorum imperatori et semper augusto’.... The Emperor calls the Pope ‘sanctissimum in Christo patrem.’” So on down the list of dignities and occupations[27] the author specifies what is correct, or suggests what is appropriate, in noun and modifier, and answers certain questions of syntax.
The book closes with a protest. Merely to consult a formulary is a poor substitute for studying the art of salutatio. It is like swimming with corks. “The ideal (forma) of salutatio which we have here worked out, well grasped and held, will save writers both from borrowed plumage and from deficiency.”