RK-039

The Grove Thursday Jan 11 / 55

Dear Father, By the two last mails we have rec'd ^{from you} several letters of varius dates from Jan 1st to the 6th. Tho several must be yet due. We have rec'd none in which you mention your appointment though by your last letters, and the papers we see you have been appointed Secy. Things going on about right except That Doct Moody is not over his ague yet, it gives him a shaking occasionally We have insisted on his staying at home to day. I got a letter from Prof Baird yesterday - says he was much pleased with Doct Brainard and would like to see him in the chair he wishes to occupy. I am getting along very well with the Latin and German. The System I have is excellent. The Doct makes a good teacher wth Latin. Slager (Uncle Hirams tutor) teaches me German. The school is going on about

right. The Doct has raised himself considerably in the estimation of some of the good people by thrashing a couple of the boys for playing truant. I suppose the children have told you about my new pet - the flying squirrel I think I shall go to Racine before long. Prof Baird says I will be well rec'd by several Naturalists there. If I go I shall take some catalogues, and see if I can't get some orders for flowers &c. Did you answer cousin Mary Tunny's letter? Can't you get a lot of large snowballs at a cheap rate down south. You know there is great demand for them, but it is large ones that are called for. We have rec'd no money except the $12 from Mr. Brighton (Briden?) Mr Wright cannot pay till after the middle of the month. We have heard nothing about taxes yet. Mother says she doesn't

know whether to scrysend have money sent or not. The mails are so irregular it might be dangerous. It rainded rained here at the same time it did yu with you. I got a letter from Belle Teunisson (Mrs Lamkin) soft as ever and a little more so. The boys they have got me some insects & reptiles. How long is an alligator when it leaves the egg? They might put one or two young ones in alcohol. Son Bob The cold weather only lasted a day or two and now we are having foggy, dull, dingy weather. By this mail we send a communication from Sammuel Edwards, on Strawberries.