THE FIRST HALF CENTURY OF THE INSTITUTE. 55 



Boston, Mass., Feb. 10, 1898. 

 Dkak Sir : — 



I thank you for the compliment — but it will.be impos- 

 sible for me to attend at the Essex Institute Anniversary. 



Resp. yrs., 



WM. I. BOWDITCH. 



Gloucester, Mass., Feb. 10, 1898. 

 To the Sec'ry Essex Inst. 

 Sir:— 



Your kind invitation to attend the fiftieth anniversary rec'd. 

 I shall try to do myself the honor of being present on that occasion, 

 although there is a possibility of my professional duties preventing 

 the fulfilment of my desires. 



Yours very respt'y, 



T. Conant. 

 Pres. Cape Ann Sci. & Lit. Ass'n. 

 Henry M. Brooks, Esq., 



Sec'y Essex Inst. 



Dr. W. Z. Ripley regrets very much his inability to attend the 

 fiftieth anniversary of the Essex Institute. An engagement in New 

 York will preclude his acceptance of the kind hospitality extended. 

 Boston, Feb. 11, 1898. 



House of Representativks, U. S. 

 Washington, D. C, Feb. 11, 1898. 

 My dear Sir : — 



May I be permitted informally to reply to your 

 formal invitation to attend the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of 

 the Essex Institute? I wish very much that I could be present, but 

 my duties here will prevent it. 



Yours very truly, 



W. H. Moody. 



