
          Greenwich Street,
 10 Aug. 1846


 My dear friend, 


 I cannot permit
 your very kind note to go unacknowledged,
 tho' I hope that your occasions
 may bring you again ere long to the
 City. And first, of your most
 friendly invitation, respecting which
 I shall only say that it would gratify
 me much to spend a day or two with
 you, & to renew my valued acquaintance
 with Mrs. Torrey & your family. My
 spirits, however, are so poor, & withal
 so unequal, that I hardly dare to
 inflict myself upon those even whom
 I most value. Still, I will not absolutely
 say no, but will permit myself
 to indulge the hope of visiting you
 in two or 3 weeks time. Tomorrow
 I leave town, for a few days, to visit the
 sick (I fear dying) bed of a much valued
 friend, & it may be that after my
 return, something may bring you to the
 City, when I shall hope to have an Evening
        