I can only thank you, &Ⓐemendation express my regret, since circumstances over which I have no control debar me from being present at the supper &Ⓐemendation social meeting.

The phrase “circumstances over which I have no control” is not original with me—yet at the same time I claim considerable property in it by right of re-discovery. This most compact &Ⓐemendation convenient expression used to be commoner than lying; but at last the newspapers took it in hand &Ⓐemendation buried it utterly out of sight &Ⓐemendation memory under Alps &Ⓐemendation Himalayas of ridicule, &Ⓐemendation since that old day it has never been seen in print by mortal. It was a useful phrase for it covered all contingencies, it economised penmanship &Ⓐemendation invention, &Ⓐemendation enabled the most giftless excuser to do his office in elegant &Ⓐemendation melodious form. After twenty-five years’ rest, you observe it comes up refreshed &Ⓐemendation smiling. Let us believe that this mortal has put on immortality. We will give the old relic a start, anyway, &Ⓐemendation see if she will go.

Thanking you once more for the compliment of your invitation, &Ⓐemendation wishing the Editors &Ⓐemendation Reporters an invigorating &Ⓐemendation rejuvenating good time, I am, yours truly,