THR KIKST HALF CKNTUIIY OF TIIF INSTITUTE. 71 



It would be invidious to uauie individuals to whom honor is due, 

 except for one name, and that is Dr. Henry Wheatland to whom the 

 Institute is the most littinj; memorial. Please accept my thanks for 

 the honor conferred in invitinsj me, and convey my regrets to your 

 comiiiittoe. 



Sincerely yours, 



Alfked SroNK. 



Mr. Aklo Batks re<;:rets that he is unable to accept the courteous 

 invitation to the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Essex 

 Institute, and sends his heartiest good wishes and congratulations. 

 Boston, Fkb'y 2r)th, 1898. 



Trinity Collkgk Libkary, 



Hartford, Conn. Feb. 26, 1898. 



My hear Sir : — 



I regret that I am unable to attend the interet>ting 

 commemoration on the 2d of March. The Essex Institute has had 

 a successful half century of work and service, and I wish it prosper- 

 ity for the time to come. 



Truly yours, 



Samuel Hart. 



Cambhidgk. Feb. 26, 1898. 

 President of the Essex Institute : 



Dear Sir : — 



Your personal invitation to be present at the celebra- 

 tion of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Essex Insti- 

 tute and to take part in the speaking has just reached me. I had 

 previously received a general invitation from the Secretary, but had 

 not replied, in the hope that I might be able to arrange my engage- 

 ments so that I could accept. 



I regret exceedingly that urgent business matters will not allow nie 

 to be absent from Boston on the second of March. 



Although it is now over twenty years since I moved away from 

 Salem, I have not forgotten the seven years that I lived in that city. 



