[ALONG THE LEFT MARGIN – IN SPOONER’S HANDWRITING]

                             New York, April 26^th 1883

My dear old friend Lysander,

     It is now some length of time since we have heard from each other, and I feel anxious to hear about you. I hope you are in good health and spirits, and not uncomfortably situated in your old age. My health keeps uniform[?] by yours, and that, although of some importance to me, is all I can congratulate myself overall[?] and ______ are rather re dark with me. I have, however, of late years, cultivated a phylosophy which enables me to hear up against a cruel fate. My phylosophy teaches me that all events in this world are inevitable – that the future is as fixed as the past, and as Draper says, “After all our storming[?] and struggling, we arrive at last at a predetermined shore.”

     I wish you would write in full about yourself and of your issues from the press since those you last sent me.

     By the way, I see that Gov. Buttler is stirring[?] up[?] the “blue skins” of Mass.-What do you think of him?

     When you see Carter[?] tell him I desire to be remembered[?] to him and his wife, if she is still living.

     When you write me, please inform me about Annie, and send me her address if you know[?].

     Direct to 15 West 26^th at New York City, care of Dr. M Faul and and [?] believe as ever your friend,

                        Daniel McFarland.