“104 E. 26th St.
“Dear Sir:
“I beg you to overlook my delay in acknowledging yours of the 12th ult. It was unavoidable.
“Your note gave me pleasure, as how should it not, written in such a spirit.
“But you do not know, perhaps, that I have entered my 8th decade. After 20 years nearly, as an outdoor custom house officer, I have lately come into possession of unobstructed leisure, but only just as, in the course of nature, my vigour sensibly declines. What little of it is left I husband for certain matters as yet incomplete, and which indeed may never be completed.
“I appreciate, quite as much as you would have me, your friendly good will and shrink from any appearance to the contrary.
“Trusting that you will take all this, & what it implies, in the same spirit that prompts it, I am,
“Very truly yours,
“Herman Melville.
“To
“Professor MacMeehan,
“Dec. 5, ’89.”