192

Rt Rev & dear Sir

My apology for not
responding at an earlier date to your
very kind invitation you extended me on
behalf of the Ex. Committee of the University
of the South is that I was away from the city{?}
when it came. We have only returned {illegible}
a few days to our duties here and they are
such as to deter me the privilege of being
present with you on your festive day. I had
even determined be {illegible} you at that
time for the purpose of making acquantances
with so many whose names are so familiar