25. Scalabrini to Merry del Val²⁵

         Piacenza May 5, 1905

Most Reverend Eminence:

I am sending you the attached report concerning the well known subject.

Written between one audience and another and in the middle of a thousand tasks, it has many defects, several gaps and a few repetitions. It should be done over and put in a different order; but I really have no time. I shall rewrite and complete it, if God will give me life,²⁶ later on.

            Meanwhile kindly accept it as it is and forgive my excessive confidence.

            I take this opportunity to renew the sentiments of my deeply felt and great veneration and to reaffirm myself.

            Of Your Most Reverend Eminence

Very humble and affectionate servant,

+Gio. Battista, Bishop of Piacenza