I throw myself on your indulgence, and, believing you will forgive me, I commence without further apology.
"First, as to things at home.

New York is _improved_, as the word goes, wonderfully.

You will return to a strange city; you will not recognize many of your acquaintances among the old buildings; brand-new buildings, stores, and houses are taking the place of the good, staid, modest houses of the early settlers.

_Improvement_ is all the rage, and houses and churchyards must be overthrown and upturned whenever the Corporation plough is set to work for the widening of a narrow, or the making of a new, street.
"I believe you sometimes have a fit of the blues.

It is singular if you do not with your temperament.