Dvořák, Antonín Thurber, Jeanette M.

It is with much regret to announce [to] you that I and my wife[!]¹ having considered the matter very carefully that we have came[!]²  to the conclusion that we are quite unable to come back to New York, because as our family circumstances have changed very much. The reason why we do - I will explain to you.

After the returning[!]³  from Vysoká, our grandmother came from Prague at the beginning of July to see us, and having had a discourse with her, she we have been told, the she, with regard to her advanced age (73) - she is quite unable to take the charge[!]⁴  of our children[,] mainly the too[!]⁵  boyes[!]⁶  Antonin and Otakar, and as we are very [?] a back them, we can’t leave the two boyes[!]⁷  to foregn[!]⁸  people, who cannot be relayed[!]⁹  upon. With regard to our daughters [-] onother[!]¹⁰  reason for doing so, is, that my wife is now quite unable to live separated without children The too daughters we could not take  because we had last year very much troubles and sorrows. and [?] feels in N[ew] York very unhappy. As you know our Annie suffered very much with rheumatism - and we must be very careful about she[!]¹¹  - and we cannot to venture such a fatigue and dangerous gourney[!]¹²  over th[e] ocean is quite impossible. Our baby too is very weak after a very serious illnes[!]¹³  Diphtheria and Kidney disease, and in this condition, she is not able to leave our home.

The maray[!]¹⁴  has to go to school, and the eldest Otila beeing[!]¹⁵  is  always very busy in everything [?] in everything education what is necessary for a young girl like her, leaves most of them [?] the protection and shelter of us.

Taking everything in all [,] Mrs Thurber you know [?] how much I value your friendship[,] how much I admire your love for the all arts especially music, I hope and [?] how much you have love for the musical education and development in music. I hope you will have no objection I therefor[!]¹⁶ may hope that you will agree with me approve kindly all the reasons above mentioned I have submitted to you and that you will kindly [?] and acknowledge all the above mentioned reasons I have begged to submit submitted to you.

With high regards esteem I remain yours

A.D.