XI 



to be given on the evening of the 12th instant in commemoration of the^ 

 25th anniversary of its organization, and I assure you it would afford 

 me great pleasure to accept the same, but — as I have written to Super-: 

 intendent Bardwell that I had already made an engagement for that 

 evening which it will probably be impossible for me to forego — I regret 

 very much that I am unable to accept your courteous invitation. 



Very truly yours, 



P. F. McGowan. 



office of the 

 President of the Borough of Richmond 



November 8, 1906. 

 Dr. Arthur Hollick, 



New Brighton. N. Y. 



My dear Doctor Hollick: — I beg that you will pardon me for not 

 having responded earlier to the very kind invitation of the Staten' 

 Island Association of Arts and Sciences to be present and to speak at 

 the dinner on Monday night next in celebration of the 25th anniversary 

 of the founding of the original society. My excuse for not having re- 

 plied before is that during the last two weeks I have been exceedingly 

 busy and have had time to attend to only the most urgent official 

 business. 



It is with very sincere regret that I find myself unable to accept the 

 kind invitation of the Association because of an engagement made 

 many weeks ago from which I cannot get released, although I endeav- 

 ored to do so yesterday in order that I might attend your dinner. 1 

 am very sorry about it because, as you know, I take a very great 

 interest in the Association and have great hopes for its large expansion 

 and usefulness. 



With very sincere regret that I cannot be with you on Monday night, 

 but with best wishes for the great success of the dinner, I remain. 



Yours very sincerely, 



George Cromwell. 



City of New York 



Office of 



The President of the Borough of M.AlNh.xttan 



City Hall 



Oct. 29th. 1906. 

 Arthur Hollick, Esq., 



Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences. 

 New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y. 

 Dear Sir.— I have your kind invitation to be present at the dinner a« 



