Feb. 8th
My dear Miss Addams.
Yesterday a letter from Chicago Commons brought us a personal account, and also newspaper cuttings and illustration of the great banquet given to you last month. And since we not only could not have the supreme joy of being present, but did not know of the event in time to cable to you our loving [page 2] congratulations, as we should so much have liked to do, I must take the liberty of writing just a few words. I was going to say "words of congratulation!" and I do say that, though I feel that congratulations in the ordinary sense should be addressed to those who had the privilege of [honoring] you; of ↑to↓ the great city to which you have given your life; indeed to all men and women of good will and of upward look, to whom you belong! Yet I think you are [blessed], as well as blessing! for not to many is it given to know on this side the Veil [page 3] how greatly they have been used for the good of their fellows, and hardly any could witness such a record even if they were permitted, as you can. For myself (and Frieda writes with me!) it is with humble, grateful pride that I thank the great Friend who brought my life within the orbit of yours, and has even allowed me to call you "my friend."
And now I want to ask you a [favor]: if your busy life has, so far, denied you the opportunity to read Alfred Noyes' "Book of Earth," will you let me have the joy of giving it to you, and will you read at least the latter half, -- Darwin and Huxley? I have seldom been so deeply moved by poetry as this book has moved me [page 4] through its affirmations of a faith to which Science only adds brighter [luster] and firmer foundations.
If you have not the book, will you send a post-card to Mary Stone at The Commons, whom I am asking to get it on my behalf if she receives such a message.
How we long to see you, and especially to know that you are well!
I am
Yours faithfully
M. A. B. Maynard.
P.S. We are both busy at Friends Houses, where we heard Prof. Rufus Jones twice recently.
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