Your next question is "wherever is Harry?" I answer: "He is to Ashburner's, to a tea-squall in favor of Miss Haggerty." I declined. He is well. We have had nothing but invitations (6) in 3 or 4 days. One, a painted one, from "Mrs. L——," whoever she may be. I replied that domestic affliction prevented me from going, but I would take a pecuniary equivalent instead, viz: To 1 oyster stew 30 cts., 1 chicken salad 0.50, 1 roll 0.02, 3 ice creams at 20 cts. 0.60, 6 small cakes at 0.05, 0.30, 1 pear $1.50, 1 lb. confectionery 0.50.
| 6 glasses hock at 0.50 | $3.00 |
| 3 glasses sherry at 30 | 0.90 |
| Salad spilt on floor | 5.00 |
| Dish of do., broken | 3.00 |
| Damage to carpet & Miss L——'s dress frm. do | 75.00 |
| 3 glasses broken | 1.20 |
| Curtains set fire to in dressing-room | 40.00 |
| Other injury frm. fire in room | 250.00 |
| Injury to house frm. water pumped upon it by steam fire-engine come to put out fire | 5000.00 |
| Miscellaneous | 0.35 |
| 5300.00 |
I expect momentarily her reply with a check, and when it comes will take you and Aunt Kate on a tour in Europe and have you examined by the leading physicians and surgeons of that country. M—— L—— came out here and dined with us yesterday of her own accord. I no longer doubt what I always suspected, her penchant for me, and I don't blame her for it. Elly Temple staid here two days, too. She scratched, smote, beat, and kicked me so that I shall dread to meet her again. What an awful time Bob & Co. must have had at sea! and how anxious you must have been about them.
With best love to Aunt Kate and yourself believe me your af. bro.
WM. JAMES.
To O. W. Holmes, Jr.
[A pencil memorandum, Winter of 1866-67?]
Why I'm blest if I'm a Materialist:
The materialist posits an X for his ultimate principle.