"My dear sir, yours very truly,
"Mary Tilden."
TILDEN TO MRS. LOWELL
"Greystone, Yonkers, N. Y., November 15, 1882.
"Dear Mrs. Lowell,—I received, on Saturday evening, your letter dated November 3d, and take the first time at my command to answer it.
"You do not overestimate the influx of communications which you are pleased to term 'begging letters.' They count by thousands. It is only in rare and exceptional cases that they can be answered. To comply with their requests would overmatch the journalistic exaggerations of the income and fortune which, in the mind of each applicant, is compared with a single want, presented as most meritorious, and as very inconsiderable in amount.
"I had occasion to tell the principal of a college, who tried to tempt my vanity with the offer to call an edifice by my name, that I should regard it as a calamity to be published as a philanthropist—having discovered that a dim suspicion of that character is scarcely consistent with the repose of a retired life.
"Nevertheless, I am open to consider the case to which you call my attention. Would it be convenient to you, some day when I am in New York, to call upon me, or to send some well-informed person to explain to me your scheme—what it needs and what your plans are? If so, I will make an appointment not earlier than next week.
"Very truly yours,
"S. J. Tilden."
TILDEN TO MRS. LOWELL
"January 2, 1883.