68 BULLETIN OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE. 



1 University Place. 

 New York, 



Feb. 23, 1898. 

 Henry M. Brooks, Esq., Secretary. 

 My dear Sir : — 



I regret extremely that business engagements pre- 

 vent my accepting the very courteous invitation of the Essex Institute 

 for March 2d, for which I tender hearty thanks. 



Yours very truly, 



Edward King. 



Trinity College, 



Hartford, Conn., Feb. 24, 1898. 

 Dear Sir : — 



I regret that my engagements will not permit me to 

 be present at the half-century commemoration of the founding of 

 the Essex Institute on the second of March. 



I beg you to accept my thanks for the invitation, as it would have 

 oeen a great pleasure to me to be there on such a memorable occasion. 



Faithfully yours. 

 Secretary, Geo. Williamson Smith. 



Henry M. Brooks, 

 Essex Institute, 

 Salem, Mass. 



Speaker's Room, State House, Boston, 



Fkb. 24, 1898. 

 Henry M. Brooks, Esq., 



Secretary Essex Institute, 

 Salem, Mass. 



Dear Sir: — 



I thank you for the invitation to be present at the 

 half-century commemoration of the founding of the Essex Insti- 

 tute at Salem, March 2, 1898, and regret that my prior engagements 

 do not permit of my acceptance. 



Congratulating the Institute on its past and with best wishes for 

 its future, I remain, 



Yours very truly, 



John L. Bates. 



