Sab gare be TO eA A PT VP a gs ys ee 
66 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN. 
FROM THE HORTICULTURAL EDITOR OF THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, 
UNION SPRINGS, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1890. 
Gentlemen: I gratefully acknowledge, and on behalf of the Country 
Gentleman, of Albany, N. Y., the receipt of your kind invitation to at- 
tend the Annual Banquet of Florists, Nurserymen and Gardeners, insti- 
tuted through the noble munificence of Henry Shaw, and to be held on 
the 13th instant, at St. Louis, and I sincerely regret my inability to be 
present on the occasion, and to witness what he has thus accomplished 
for the benefit of his fellow-citizens, and for the whole country, so emi- 
nently worthy of their admiration. 
Very respectfully, 
J. J. THomas. 
FROM THE BOTANIST OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
GERMANTOWN, Pa., Oct. 8, 1890. 
My Dear Sir —1 very much regret that it is not in my power to ac- 
cept your kind invitation to be present at the Henry Shaw Banquet on 
the 13th inst. 
I am the more sorry, as I have an earnest desire to see some of the good 
work of my many-year friend, knowing as I do the underlying motives 
that prompted much of his bequests. Other opportunities will, I trust, 
occur to me some time. 
Very truly yours, 
THOMAS MEPHAN. 
FROM JUDGE SAMUEL MILLER. 
BLUFTON, MoO., Oct. 5, 1890. 
Dear Sir — Your kind invitations to the Shaw Banquet both received; 
but when the first came I was too ill to answer, and now I regret to 
state that it is not likely that I can attend. My late sickness and age 
(79 yesterday), caution me to stay home. My presence may not be 
impossible, however. Let me tell you that I highly appreciate the 
honor, and it would no doubt be a great pleasure to me to meet so noble 
a crowd of congenial spirits. 
If not with you in body I will be with you in spirit, and when it comes 
to the giving of toasts, mine will be given in writing if admitted in that 
way. When we have all crossed over the Dark River, may we meet the 
noble Henry Shaw on the bright plains o’er which the rivers of life flow; 
and where the noon-tide of glory reigns forever. 
Yours fraternally, 
SAMUEL MILLER. 
