THE FIRST HALF CENTURY OF THE INSTITUTE. »>1 



anniversary, and regrets that it Is impossible for him to be present at 

 the celebration of that occasion. 

 Henry M. Bkooks, Esq., 



Secretary, Essex Institute, 

 Salkm, Mass. 



Salem, Feb'y 15, '98. 

 Dear Sir : — 



It is with sincere regret that I feel obliged to decline 

 the invitation your courtesy has extended to me to be present at the 

 attractive celebration of the Essex Institute's fiftieth anniversary. 

 It would be a rare treat to me. However I shall try to enjoy it in 

 imagination, and shall hope for the pleasure of seeing a good report 

 of it. May it be an occasion of great pleasure and interest to the 

 members and guests. With the best wishes for the Essex Institute 

 in all its objects, purposes and services, I beg you, Sir, to accept the 

 thanks of 



Marguerite Dai.rymple. 



131 Vernon Strekt, 

 Newton, 

 Feb. 15. 

 My dkak Mr. Brooks : — 



I have received the " Post Card" in regard 

 to the fiftieth anniversary of the Essex Institute and should be very 

 glad to have you save a ticket for Mrs. Stone and me. We are not 

 now members of the Institute, but we are still much interested in its 

 good work and we look back with much pleasure to the old Salem 

 days and the meetings, excursions and exhibitions in which we took a 

 more or less prominent part. 

 With kindest remembrances from both of us 



I am 



Very truly yours, 



Lincoln R. Stone. 



Henry M. Bkooks, Esq. 



Skciietaky Essex Institute. 



1113 Sixteenth Street 



Washington. D. C. 



February sixteenth. 

 Mrs. Spofford thanks the Essex Institute for the kind invitation for 

 March second, and regrets that absence from home makes it impossible 

 to accept. 



