NOTE ON "EPITHALAMIUM." 



The enclosed lines have been written some two or three years, 

 more or less, I cannot tell exactly; in idle moments, in the long' 

 evenings in winter time at the time my wife began to talk about 

 celebrating our Golden Wedding. I had only shown them to her 

 a few days before she died. She read them twice and said " that 

 suits me " I will get the document copied in plain handwriting, 

 then.... I passed the remark, what then? She answered me: 

 You shall know it in time. A few days after I received a 

 proof copy, with the additions suggested by HEK, of the allegoric 

 Chains, which I had forgotten or rather not thought of. She 

 was much excited with the idea presenting a copy to every one 

 she should invite, but she was especially so, ' ' to comment " the 

 point of doubt affixed to the words "my good half? 1 ' to prove 

 she was and had been good without a * but with / / /. Alas ! ! 

 she has not; destiny, fate, had decreed it should not be. 



By sending the above document I fulfill her desire and also 



mine. A desire much embittered. . . ., 



L. M. 



