Well, Murray, that is decent of you. Thanks.

We've kind of gotten over our huff with you lot -- we understand you were just having a Bad King day at the time, and things turned out all right after all, generally. Actually, it wasn't the British per se we were mad at, but the British Gummint -- I am sure you can sympathize.

Anyway, thanks for the good wishes. I am sorry to say that this Fourth is a bit short in the balance sheet, so to speak -- the net force of freedom and independence as the first principle of human political life has taken a bit of a bashing here and there these last few years. I am not too proud of what this grand country has turned into lately. But that's perhaps a passing phase. The Great Experiment is still sound and worth a lot more effort and promotion. As me oul Da once said (in 1976) "After two hundred years, it's too soon to quit!".

Regards,

A