It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from this/these transcript(s) must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collection Coordinating Committee. Alvin Fielding and Amelia Smith Letters, Feb 1906 MSS 7952 [notes by transcriber are in brackets] [ltr. 1, p. 1] #57 Salt Lake City, Feb. 1, 1906. My Own Dear Alvin:- I have just got home but thought I would write you a few lines before I went to bed–we have been up to Berthas to supper which we enjoyed very much and Ruth enjoyed herself very much. Monday’s mail was late and Wednesday’s mail was early so I got two letters Tues- day one on the morning and the other in the afternoon. Well dearie you are quite away a head of me as to number of letters written this is about my 67th if I only wrote ten before I be- gan to number them and I have received 87 from you I number them as I get them. [ltr. 1, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 3] 2. I don’t know any thing about Richard going to see Mattie he did’nt taker her home from Tud’s New Year’s he left to catch the last car and Bertha & Joe took her home. [-] Mr. Evans came for her the night of the wedding. Mattie called in yesterday for a few minutes she does think that Ruth is the sweetest baby and she sent her love to you and said you was so kind to her when she was there. I have only seen Lillian’s baby one and I told you about it then I did’nt know what they had named her until you told me but I think Florence is a lovely name Yes I heard that Goodwins weekly was giving Hyrum fits but I did’nt read it we seldom get one but it and the Trib. are always going after some of the Church people I hav’nt patience to read such things Yes dearie we are still having winter it has been miserable and cloudy for over a week it is a week yesterday since the sun [ltr. 1, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 5] 3. shone and it is real cold and the ground is still covered with snow and ice the ground has never been clear of snow since Thanksgiving. Yes I too wish you could have seen the bride she looked fine in her dress I thought. Your Mama said she thought she never saw any one look as sweet as Bertha did when she was marrid and Mrs. Tuddenham said the same thing. Ruth misses her Auntie she cries to go with her nearly every time she comes down. Last night Bertha, Joe and Eva were down and Ruth cried to go home with them so Joe rolled her up in a shawl and took her to the corner and I had to go bring her back. A lady came in with a baby today and when she went Ruth cried for the baby–she does love babies. So you have been buying me a dress that is lovely of you I guess I will like it I am making my blue suit over and it is going to look fine. I washed it and it looks just like new Yes it would be nice to go shop- [ltr. 1, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 7] 4. ping with you. I might go some day. Mellisa’s baby is all right now or at least he was the other day when I was talking to her over the phone. He swallowed a lot of wool–they hought he must have chewed it from his shawls of course they did’nt know what was the matter until he passed the wool–he was a very sick baby for about a week. Mama has had trouble with her ears ever since she fell she hit her head and it did’nt quit acheing for weeks and I sometimes wonder if the fall had any thing to do with her ears–they are quite a bit better now but she is still quite deaf. Papas arm is very little better some times it is a little better than others. The bullen is still running Mrs. Ewing is trying to sell out but she don’t want to give it away she has’nt had a big enough offer as yet. Yes I wish papa could get something else to do. I do’nt Remember meeting Harold Reynolds but I might have done I got Bertha and Joe. their dining room table they did’nt like me to [ltr. 1, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 9] 5. do so much as you was away but I wanted to get them some thing nice and they are so pleased with it. Joe’s brother and sisters gave them their chairs–Mr. and Mrs. Tud gave them a monitor range, papa and mama a china cupboard Al and Alice an electric lamp Nell and Hen a mahogany rocker and they got some art glas and dishes, a chafeing dish, a center table, two beautiful pictures, a 400 day clock which is a beauty 2 berry spoons a cream and gravy ladel a sugar shell and quite a lot of spoons, a rug I can’t think what else. Bert Davis is home–I heard the other day. Say dearie Prof. Allens oldest son got killed yesterday I think it is so sad. I see by to night’s paper that Fred Luff’s wife has another baby. Well dearie we are both well and fine Ruth says so many words now these are some of them [ltr. 1, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 11] 6. door, out, chickie, store, doggie, dark, dolly, toes, bark, chair, hi chair, up, down, waer (water) tea, me, mama, papa, bone, no, shawl, baby, and other and she helps to set the table and sweep the floor and oh how buisy she is. She throws lots of kisses to you I do’nt know how many you catch she does it to cute for any thing and she is not as stingy with her kisses as she used to be. Well dearie it is after twelve and I have only answered one letter so will leave the other until next time. Mama and Papa and Bertha and Joe send love to you. Ruth and I send you lots of love hugs and kisses–May the Lord bless you continually is the prayer of your loveing and affectionate wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 1, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 1] #58 Salt Lake City, Feb. 5, 1906 My Own Dear Alvin:- I have been to the Barrett Hall to night to a lecture by Prof. Demot on the human sences–it was just fine and I enjoyed it very much. I have just got home and it is nearly eleven o’clock, I got a letter from you to day and was pleased to get it also to learn that you are well. I will answer your letter of Jan. 19th first–so you have the boss down breaking chairs and etc. I think you better be care- ful when you are w[-]shing did Bown give you a thrashing while he was there? Yes that is a good picture of L[-]’s baby I saw it when I was down there. Yes we had a coal famin but the price did’nt go up any [ltr. 2, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 3] 2. but there is plenty of coal now you see coal was scarce people would order coal and as soon as they got it they would place another order so they would not be out of coal just as we did and of course we had all the time but some that did’nt do that suffered. It was the increase in the coal business that gave Joe a job now that the rush is over he is out but Bamberger said he would give him the very first chance there was. I was Junius that gave it away he said something about a mustache and I said “has Alvin a mustache” and he looked confused and said “I did’nt know but what you knew or I would’nt have said any thing” so when Elder Young called I asked him and he told me that you had one and how handsome you were with it he also told me that he had one but he did’nt have nerve enough to come home with it on. I knew you would try to surprise me and it tickeled me to surprise you. I told you what I thought about it in a previous letter You ask me if Ruth is lots [ltr. 2, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 5] 3. of company I should say she is she does and says some thing new every day. Bertha and Joe were down this afternoon and she cried to go home with them so they took her for over two hours and she just enjoyed it, but how lone some it seemed with out her she says Uncle Joe and she calls Bertha Bot. I say to her “who loves you Ruth” and she says “Papa.” you would dance a jig if you could hear her. I say “throw a kiss to Papa” and she does it so cute and she loves and kisses your picture. She kisses and loves me so cute. Today when I read your letter I said come and kiss me for Papa and she did. You would be surprised how plain she talks she says most of her words most as plain as I can. The views are just fine. So you are having a little more fog. We are still having beastly dark cloudy weather. The sun tried to shine today but it made a failure of it–it is nearly two weeks since it shone. I went to the Theatre Saturday [ltr. 2, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 7] 4. night. it was the Savage Grand opera Ta[-]hauser it was just fine. Coulson was there with a Miss Schwartz I do’nt know wether she is Aunt Marys sister or not. Coulson wished to be kindly remembered to you. Yes Poor Mamie is heart broken she suffers in silence I felt so sorry for her the day we were at Ida’s she had very little to say. So you have been buying things for the house as well as for me. There is one thing that I would like before you come home or when you come home and that is a good steamer rug. Blankets are not very cheap over here and they are nice things to have I was glad to hear that you had such a nice time with the Nibly boys. Is Alex the one that marrid the Thatcher girl–she died since you went away. I guess he is’nt like J.G. McDonald you know his wife died about three months ago and he is engaged to be marrid to my cousin. It was rumored that they were marrid but Aunt Lizzie was up to day and she said it was not so but [ltr. 2, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 9] 5. they were engaged he has four children–Lillie is only twenty one. Aunt Lizzie wished to be re- membered to you. I do’nt remem- ber her she came up to Mama’s the day before you went away. So you have forgotten how to kiss–I guess Miss Wells better come over ther again and maby you will get a little practice on [-]e in a while. I saw Eva. Tud. at the lecture and I told her you sent your re- gards and she said give him our best regards. Well Dearie I got the dividends on the Sugar Stock and Ruth and I each had 3 more share and you had 19 that is I got dividends on 25 more shares and I thought that Bro. Nelson must have made that many when he took up the last issue so I went down and paid the intrest which was $4.00 and I paid $20.25 on the note bringing it down to $250.00 I said to Bro. Nelson “I see we got more money this time and he looked kind of funny and he was very buisy so I did’nt say any more about it. So today he telephoned me and said that Hyrum got that stock for us and that he [ltr. 2, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 11] 6. borrowed the money and there was $3.50 int. due so I will go down tomorrow and see about it. Bro. Nelson did’nt know any thing about it until Hyrum went into him today and told him about it. George A. Smith was in the bank the other day and he wished me to remember him kindly to you. He has wiskers all around his face and he looks like a wild man. I would’nt let those last a minute if I was his wife. You cant emagine how ugly he looks. I do’nt like wiskers any way. I made Ruth a colord dress to day she has’nt had any colord dresses except that pink one that I made before you went away, but I am going to keep her in colord now around the house she gets her white ones so dirty. She is well and so am I and I am getting so fat you wo’nt know me if I keep on. Well dearie it is half past twelve so “night night” Mama and Papa and all the folks send love. Love hugs and kisses from your loveing and affectionate wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. [ltr. 2, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 1] #59 Salt Lake City, Feb. 8, 1906. My Own Dear Alvin:- Your dear letter of Jan. 26 came today I was so pleased to get it also to learn that you are well. Yes sometimes I have received letters from you in ten day but this one was thirteen days. Yes I think I would rather live in Forest Dale than to be sandwitched in on 9th East although I like that location best. someone ws telling me that someone is build int between our lot and Ash- tons. I am glad to hear you are going to have a plumb pudding feast. I guess we will have one Sunday it is Papa’s birth- day and the folks are all coming to dinner. [ltr. 3, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 3] 2. I am glad you enjoyed the theatre so much I did’nt get the programme as yet. I saw Bro. Nibley the other day he said “Well I guess our boys are with Alvin” and I said yes they were or had been. He said they told him they were not going to sail until the seventh but he had an idea that they would sail on the first and try to surprise their Father. The new marrid people are fine they have just gone home they sent their love to you it does seem funny with out Bertha. Mama took Ruth up to their house this morning and she wanted to stay. Apostle Merrill died Tuesday night he is to be buried to-morrow Saturday from the Richmond Tabernacle. Well dearie I went down to see Bro. Nelson and it seems that Hyrum called in the bank when he was going up to get his sugar [ltr. 3, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 5] 3. stock and he said he would get yours and Bro. Nelson un- derstood him to say he could get some for you and he thought he said 88 shares, but we were entitled to take up 25 shares (you 19 Ruth 3 and me 3) and that is what he got and he gave his note for his own and that 25 shares of ours. He did’nt say one word to me about it and when the intrest came due he went to Bro. Nelson and paid the intrest on all but $250.00 and he told Bro. Nelson that the $25000 was my debt and I would have to pay the intrest on that so Bro. Nelson telephoned and told me and I went down and paid it which was $3.75. So I just had Bro. Nelson make out a note to me for that amount <$250.00> and take it off of Hyrum’s note. I think that Hyrum Smith aught to have told me about it. I wondered how we came by the extra stock. I noticed we had more by our dividends I guess Hyrum thought it was none of my business but it is my business. And he [ltr. 3, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 7] 4. can leave my affairs alone. We are still having cloudy weather. Ruth and I are well mama not at all well one can get better now the other is worse than the first one. Well dearie it is late and I am tired so “night night” Ruth joins me in sending love hugs an kisses. All the folks send love May the Lord bless you and keep you from all harm is the desire of your loveing wife and baby, Millie & Ruth. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 3, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 1] #60 Salt Lake City, Feb. 15, 1906. My Own Dear Alvin’- I received two letters from you this week one Monday and another yes- terday I was so pleased to get them also to learn that you are well. So you think you would’nt care to be a bachelor you must have had lots of fun cooking for fifteen. They did- nt know what a good dish washer you are or they would have had you wash- ing dishes. You must be quite a cook now a days. I will be on the lookout for E[-]der Burton. I am glad you had such a nice time with the Nibly boys. I guess. His Magesty’s Theatre is a fine one if is a fine look- [ltr. 4, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 3] 2. ing one from the outside. I went to the Theatre Monday night to see “The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast” it was fine and I enjoyed it very much. Your Papa, Mama, Emma, Zina, Marth and Coulson were there Bertha went with me. I got the newspaper with the gloves in. My but they are nice for that price–thanks very much for them also for that dear little turnover it is so pretty. And you got me a plume Dearie you are getting me too many things and you are not getting yourself any thing–the plume would have done later on. Yes dearie Jennie Smith is in Salt Lake I heard Donny say that Jennie should say that she thought she would come home rather than come in a box And that she was going back in the spring. I hope she is marrid–I always liked Jennie and I feel sorry for [ltr. 4, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 5] 3. her. So Sister Everard has got two old maids to live with her I should think that would be nice for them all and I should think it would be ever so much better for Sister Everard. Remember Ruth and I to Chase when you write him. Well I see you quit scrapp ing to start again so this time you broke the front door. I think you better be care- ful or by the time you have been there two years they wont have any thing left. I will give Bro. Burton the fifty cents when he calls You say you are having cold wet weather. It is three weeks yesterday since we had a sunshiney day. Sat- urday the sun came out for about half hour and then it got blacker than ever and started to snow and this morn- ing old sol poked his head out for about an hour then he went behind the clouds and [ltr. 4, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 7] 4. how it did rain all the streets were like rivers. Mama says it is regular old English weather I tell you I am sick of such weather it is cloudy all the time and foggy most of the time. I think I told you that Will Davis is working at Z.C.M.I. whare house. Yesterday was valentines day Ruth got four and she played with them and thought they were fine. She is so cute and talks so cute You aught to hear her say “Joe” she goes around the house singing “Joe” “Joe” she thinks he is all right and he think she is. He and Bertha were down to night they send love to you. Mellisa’s baby has eight teeth he seems to cut his teeth real easy. All the folks were here to dinner Sunday we had a real nice time they all wish- ed to be remembered to you and wished you could have [ltr. 4, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 9] 5. been here. The time is just flying along now and I hope it keeps on flying Mama and Papa send love to you. Well dearie May the Lord bless you at all times and keep you from all harm and accident and give you good health con- tinually. Ruth and mama send lots of love hugs and kisses from your loveing and affectionate wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 4, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 1] #61 Salt Lake City, Feb. 19–1906. My Own Dear Alvin:- Your dear letter of Feb. 6th came today I was so pleased to learn that you were well. So Willard and Bob Price think perhaps you would like to drop in and see your wife and baby. maby you would but I doubt it. Ha! ha! So you are going to Rotterdam I am glad–you might as well see as much as you can when you get the chance. Too bad Chase could’nt go it would have been nice for both of you. So the President has his re- lease I presume he is so pleased he can hardly wait until the first. I shall be pleased to have he and his wife call. [ltr. 5, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 3] 2. I guess you will miss him a great deal. So you are going to shave your mustache off. You can keep it on while you are over there but I do’nt know about you keep- ing it on when you come home You know my views as to that I do think you look fine with it and I think you look fleshier. Bro. Burton called today he says if he was you he would leave it on. He brought the package and he wished to be remember- ed to you and I offered him the fifty cents but he would’nt take it–he saidtell him to keep it and buy a dinner with it as he knew what those London dinners are like. I see you sent four waists, they are so pretty who is the other one for I think I will keep the green one and give Emma and Zina the blue and red ones. they are all so pretty there that shawl is a beauty–the knives are fine too also the hat pins and thimballs. I think you [ltr. 5, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 5] 3. have fine taste and I thank you very much for all of them. I am going down to your Mamas to morrow so I will take the waists with me. No I hav’nt had another picture taken of Ruth. The one I took Your Papa is one like I sent you the one without her bonnet I saved it for him but when ever I went down there I forgot to take it. Your Papa was’nt there and I gave it to Aunt Julina your Papa did’nt say any thing about it and I wondered if he got it, but I see from your letter he did. I have never taken Aunt Mary her picture of Ruth in long cloths as yet and after I heard she was in the family way I did’nt like to go. You know she had a miscarriage just after you went away. Because I said you look like a German–you seem to think that is’nt a compliment I think it is there are som hand- some Germans I think. I am sorry you are thinner for [ltr. 5, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 7] 4. you were thin enough. Yes Davids beard makes him look older he parts it on his chin and combs it back .Yesterday was a beautiful day–Mama and I went down to Nell’s Ruth had such a nice time she does like to go out I guess she must get that from you. She is the sweetest kid every body wants to steal her she does and says so many cute things and she loves and kisses me so cute and she is a regular little mimic she trys to do every thing we do. Nell’s folks are all well and wish to be remembered to you also Mrs. Cannen I went up stairs to see her. She seems to be a very nice lady. I asked her how she liked Salt Lake she said well there is plenty of mud just now. I do’nt think she likes it very well. Her son and his wife and four children are going to try to come out this spring. That house that is going up on the corner from our place is quite a house. [ltr. 5, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 9] 5. Bertha has a parlor, dining room, front and back hall, bed- doom, kitchen, pantry, bath, cloths closeet down stairs and they will have two nice rooms up stair when they are finished and they have a nice big cellar. They were down today and they send their love to you. Bro. Nelson wants Joe to go to work in the Bank I think he will go, but he had almost accepted an insurance position Your Mama Mellissa and Martha called Saturday morn- ing and they went up and call- ed on Bertha and Joe. Richard is a big fat baby he says “tata” and mama so cute he has a regular boys voice. I went to the theatre Saturday night it was Maje[-]ka in “Lady McBeth” none of your folks were going so I took Nell and Hen, Bertha and Joe and Eva Tud. Coulson was there it was good but of course it was a tragedy. [ltr. 5, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 11] 6. No I havnt been to see about my teeth I think I will go one of these days. Bro. Nelson telephoned to day and said he had another dividend from Uncle Sam of three dollars so he gave Joe the check and he brought it to me. Nelson says he thinks they will pay a dividend every month now. I hope they do. Hen did’nt play any Jokes on Bertha and Joe. So you had a little snow we had a blizzard early this morning, but the sun came out bright about ten o’clock and melted most of it. Remember Ruth and I to Willard and Chase when you write them. I am glad they are both well. No Hyrum has’nt given me the State Bank dividend. I think the intrest on the note was $4.00 but it wont be quite as much next time as the note is $250.00 instead of $270.25. I told you all about it in a previous [ltr. 5, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 13] 7. letter I do’nt know what Sugar Stock is worth now the last time I saw Bro. Nelson it was $10.75. I have paid some t[-]thing Dearie I love you with all my heart and soul and I often wish you could enjoy with me the cute ways and soyings of our doll baby she is such a comfort and blessing. Well dearie we are all well but mama and she still is suffering with her ear the doctor says there is a boil in it it has been terrible, but is a little Mama and Papa send love to you. Ruth and I send love hugs and kisses. may the Lord bless you continually is the desire of your loveing and affction- ate wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 5, p. 14: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 1] #62 Salt Lake City Feb. 26–1906. My Own Dear Alvin:- I have just put Ruth to bed and will now answer your dear letter of Feb. 8th. I was so pleased to learn that you was well. I see from this letter you arri- ved safely in Rotterdam I am glad you had such a pleasant voyage and I guess you will have a nice time while there. It must be a funny sight to see all the people wear wooden shoes The Queens country home seems to be nicer than her city home of course I am just judgeing from the post cards. So you have found some good milk and cheese I know [ltr. 6, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 3] 2. you do’nt like cheese and milk so Legrand Richards and Williams as porkers. Well dearie I guess you are not the fat kind but never mind as long as you are well that is the main thing. You did’nt say how long you expected to be in Rotterdam but I guess you are back to London before this. I went down to your Mama’s last week–I called in to see your Papa on the way down Ruth was more friendley with him–he thought she looked well and fine. Then I went to your Mama’s we made Zina a colonial dress to go to a party in on Wahingtons Birthday. the folks were all well. I saw Lillian’s baby while I was at the Bee Hive she is growing fine but her eyes do’nt seem to get better. Lillian is quite a big girl now. I forgot to tell you that Louie has a baby girl. I hav’nt seen it yet but I heard it was a very [ltr. 6, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 5] 3. sweet baby. Donnie was not feeling well but I guess it is about time for Donnie to be feeling that way. Mellisa was saying that John wanted her to go to him in April–she did’nt say wether she was going or not. Joe started to work in the bank for Bro. Nelson this morn- ing. He and Bertha have Just gone home and they send their love. Joe wrote to you the other day. I went to the theatre Friday night to see the “Bohemian Girl”. I enjoyed it pretty well. I got the programme you sent me I could’nt see any mark where you sat. Say Dearie that Hippodrome must be grand it looks like a flower garden on the stage. Ruth likes to get the book of “Nina” and look at the baby she brings it to me and says “baby baby”. She gets a book then she goes to one [ltr. 6, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 7] 4. of us and says “book chair” she means sit down and show her the pictures. Then she tell’s us what the pictures are. she does so many cute things and she is such a sweet little doll. I have just finished the dearest little dress and petticoats I know she will look cute in it. It seems as though I am always docing something for her, but I like to sew for her. It was Nell’s birthday yes- terday so Mama and I went down Ruth enjoyed the out. Last Wednesday it snowed every bit of the day just as hard as it could and nearly all day Thursday, but it has been fine ever since and the snow is almost gone. It seems to me we have had an awful long winter. Say Dearie I wonder if you could get lace for baby dress- es cheaper there than I can here. It is so expensive here You know the kind I use for [ltr. 6, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 9] 5. neck and sleeves I tell you what I think I will get some samples and tell you the prices and maby you could get it cheaper by the bold, as it is always useful. I will enclose a sample that cost $.20 a yard and it seems as though you cant get fine lace any cheaper and it is nearly all $.25 and $.30 a yd. You could get insert- ing to match if you could. I want to make Ruth a petticoat with three or four rows of inserting in and lace on the bottom and for this it would’nt need to be quite so fine. If you got it maby Harold Rey- nolds would bring it when he comes home if no one comes before I think Harold expects to come home in May. Every body is stuck on my shawl and waist that shawl is a beauty say dearie how much did it cost? Ruth and I are well she can say nearly every thing and she acts so cute and how she does freeze on to Joe as soon [ltr. 6, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 11] 6. as he puts in an appearance The other night when I was at the theatre Joe got her to clap and put her to bed and he did the same last night. He is a fine baby tender. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love to you Ruth and I send lots of love hugs and kisses and pray continually for your wel- ware. Hoping you had a nice visit and a safe return from Rotterdam I am your loveing and affectionate wife, Millie. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 6, p. 12: page is blank]