| Description | 25 April 1879
My dear Sir Frederick
Your note of the 18th reached me at the Consulate only this morning - having been forwarded from its London address where it had been lying for the past week. Pray accept this explanation of the delay in my response.
I need not say how deeply flattered I am at the honour you propose to confer upon me in selecting me to respond to the toast of 'Literature' at the forthcoming Academy banquet, nor need I tell you how deeply I feel the responsibility which attaches to your courteous gift of this important function to an alien and stranger. Pray believe I shall do my best even this generously handicapped, and trust, my dear Sir Frederick, to you to gracefully cover any retreat of
Yours, very sincerely
Bret Harte
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