76 BULLETIN OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE. 



Amhkrs r College Library, 

 W. I. Fletciiek, Librarian. 



Amherst, Mass., Mar. 1, 1898. 



H. M. Brooks, Esq., 



Secretary Essex Institute. 



Dear Sir : — 



According to your request I return the enclosed card. 

 Up to to-day I liave hoped to use it myself, but am now obliged to 

 give up the pleasure of being with you to-morrow. 



Very truly yours, 



W. I. Fletcher. 



Cambridge, March 1, 1898. 

 Dear Mr. Rantoul, 



It is a source of regret to me that I am prevented by 

 other engagements from being present at to-morrow's celebration in 

 Salem. I always feel a real aflection for the home of my ancestors 

 and for the institution which has so well preserved the history of 

 past centuries. 



Cordially youi-s, 



Thomas Wentworth Higgisson. 



63 Mt. Vernon Street, Boston. 



March 1, 1898. 



The President of the Historic-Genealogical Society is unable, owing 



to illness, to visit the Essex Institute on the celebration of its fiftieth 



anniversary, much to his regret. Representatives of the Society will 



be present. 



The President congratulates the Society upon its success and use- 

 fulness to the community. 



Salem, March 2, 1898. 

 Dear Mr. Rantoul : — 



I had hoped until a few days that I should 

 be able to attend the exercises of the'fiftieth anniversary of the found- 



