“Overwhelmed by the number of letters sent me, whichare increasing every day, amounting to from 1,600 to 2,000 perannum—many, too, being on the most futile subjects, suchas demands for my autograph, and offers to cure me of alldiseases—I once more make a public appeal to the personswho wish me well, and request them not to occupy them-selves so much with what concerns me, in order that, withthe diminution of strength, physical and intellectual, whichI experience, I may, be allowed a little leisure for study andcomposition. I trust that this step, to which I have recoursewith reluctance, will not be interpreted unkindly.”