Rola werbalnych formuł etykiety językowej w listach (na materiale z lat 1750–1860)

This article discusses the role of verbal politeness formulas in epistolography from the second half of the 18th century and the fi rst half of 19th century. The authentic letters have been chosen from various classes of writers: landed gentry, bourgeoisie, soldiers, literary and artistic circles. The paper analyses opening and closing acts of linguistic etiquette in this letters. There are also comparisons with pointers in model letter-writers published in analysed period. Conventional verbal formulas, contrary to recommendations included in these letter handbooks, were still commonly used in letter closings. There were very rarely used in salutations, which was also continuation of Old Polish epistolographic tradition.