"DEAR SIR,--Mr. Blair was much touched by your kind note of sympathy received a few days since. When I wrote Mr. Bigelow I was anxious and hurried, fearing the fatigue of the drive to the country on Mr. Blair. The change has been most beneficial, and his improvement since we came very decided, though our city papers will contrive to say that he is very ill. We are all greatly encouraged. He has less pain--is stronger and sleeps better. I follow your advice, and only present the most agreeable topics for his thoughts. The arrival of a young Holstein or Jersey calf--the Silo well filled--and a touch of the New York _Sun's_ sarcasm often diverts his attention from himself and interests him. He desires me to remember him kindly to you. I hope the papers report truly when they say your own health is so good. "Very truly yrs., "MARY E. BLAIR." TILDEN TO MRS. BLAIR "GREYSTONE, YONKERS, N. Y., _July 28, 1883_. "DEAR MRS. BLAIR,--I am deeply afflicted by the sad intelligence concerning Mr. Blair which comes to-day. I share with you and his children in the great bereavement, lamenting that I am so impotent to lessen your sorrow while mingling with it my own. "Tendering you my heart-felt condolences, I am, "Very truly yours." WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER TO TILDEN "TRINITY BUILDING, 111 BROADWAY, _Sept. 10, 1883_. "MY DEAR GOVERNOR,--I am asked to write you a line about the law school of the New York University whose work and wants have, I understand, been brought to your attention. While the early plans of my father and his associates, Judge Kent and Mr. David Graham, Jr., were not carried out according to their full intention in its foundation, the later years of the school have been full of encouragement, and it is now prospering under good management. The class of young men who avail of its instruction is largely drawn from those students who must make their way in the profession for themselves; and the training they get is, I believe, exceptionally thorough and conscientious. I have no right to make any suggestions on the subject; but you will, I am sure, appreciate my interest in the school and my motive in saying what I have said in regard to its merits. "Yours very truly, "WM. ALLEN BUTLER." W. P. SCOTT TO TILDEN "_Personal._ "NEW ORLEANS, _Sept. 16th, 1883_. "DEAR SIR,--There come times in men's lives when, it matters not how carefully they have builded, how deep the structure strikes its foundations, or how critically material shall have been selected, all fail if the keystone be not placed skilfully, in season, and well.