73 



Amesbury, 2uc1 3rd Mo., 1873, 

 Dear Friend : 



I fear it will not be in my power to be present at the celebration 

 of the 25tli anniversary of the Essex Institute at Salem on the evening 

 of the 5th inst. As an Essex County man I always look upon the In- 

 stitute as an honor to the county. Apart from its interest in a scien- 

 tific point of view its festivals and excursions have exerted a very 

 genial and social influence. Thanking the oflicers of the Institute for 

 the invitation, 1 am very truly thy friend, 



JOHN G. WHITTIER. 

 Rev. E. S. Atwood. 



Boston, March 1, 1873. 

 My Dear Sir : 



I very deeply regret that an engagement, from which I cannot get 

 clear, will prevent me from accepting your kind and cordial invitation 

 to meet the members of the Essex Institute on the 5th of March. I 

 regret it ail the moi'e because I think your Institute is doing impor- 

 tant work in the advancement of knowledge. As an old Salem boy, 

 I glory in everything which indicates the interest in science by ma- 

 tured Salem men. I cannot too warmly express my interest in your 

 achievements and your plans. Salem, forever, is the feeling with which 

 I sign myself. Very sincerely yours, 



E. P. WHIPPLE. 



U. S. Coast Survey Office, 

 Washington, March 4, 1873. 

 Dear Sir : 



But for the public duties which have claimed my attention here 

 your invitation would have been gladly accepted. 



Regretting that I cannot be with you at Pluramer Hall to-morrow 

 night, to join in the social reunion of the Essex Institute, 

 I remain, very truly yours, 



BENJAMIN PEIRCE. 

 H. Wheatland, Salem, Mass. 



RivERDALE Avenue, > 

 New York, March 1, 1873. j 

 My Dear Doctor Wheatland: 



I most heartily thank you for your kind invitation to attend the In- 

 stitute anniversary next week. How much I regret that unavoidable 

 duties here stand in the way of its acceptance, I need not say. You 

 remember my deep interest in the objects and meetings of the Insti- 

 EssEX Inst. Bulletin. v 6 



