738 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1882, 
Here we get on, prosper, indeed, quite without wis- 
dom, or with very little of it. One of these days we 
shall need it. There are things I should like to write 
about. But my arm is not up to continued use. 
Mrs. Gray will send messages propria manu. So, 
with my kindest regards to Mrs. Church and all your 
happy family, I am affectionately, 
ours, Asa GRAY. 
TO SIR EDWARD FRY. 
BEveRty Farms, December 1, 1882. 
We were very sorry to read in the telegraphic news 
a few days ago of the destruction of Clevedon Court 
by fire, a most sad and unexpected thing, but we hope 
not so bad as the brief announcement portends. It 
brought back to our memory the delightful afternoon 
which Mrs. Gray and I passed there a year and some 
months ago. A modern house can be replaced, but 
not an old hall like this. It makes us sad to think of 
it. Perhaps you can tell us that the loss was exag- 
gerated in the telegraphic account. 
I am writing from the house of Mrs. Gray’s brother, 
on the seashore, where we are passing the “ Thanks- 
giving” holiday.“ Thanksgiving Day” is a Puritan 
institution, was formerly confined to New England 
and the districts settled by New Englanders, and has 
been kept from the time of the landing of the Pil- 
grims at Plymouth, and is annually appointed by the 
governors of these States by proclamation. But 
within the last fifteen or twenty years it has become 
national, and the day, the fourth or the last Thursday 
in November, is announced by a proclamation by the 
President. In New England it long took the place 
of Christmas, for which you know the Puritans had 
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