RK-188

Racine Oct 4 - 1856.

Dear Bob.

I had thought to see you at the Fair and thus answer your letter personally - but all things human are uncertain – says the preacher – and so I found my self with sick patients on my hands that I could not possibly leave. - I would not have missed the fair for a cool 100 - if that sum could have made all things straight.

I hope the fair passed off more to your liking than the Chicago affair did, that is in the department of Nat History – I am greatly anxious to learn all about it – Did you carry off the premium Spoons for your Mother?

Did Dr. Brendle take that Crane to the Fair? I am much interested to learn all about the specimen – let me know all you can about it?

Glad your house is going on prosperously you will know how to appreciate the comforts of a roomy house – There is no great satisfaction in a sick mans building. The money is paid and the thing is done but with us, in the middle walks of property, there is something more than a mere purchase, when we build we have the satisfaction of having achieved a real triumph over difficulties and we can look upon the final consumation of our long anticipated undertaking with pride as well as pleasure – I hope sometime to visit you in Your Den

I have collected a quite numerous family of Beetles and Moths during the past season but as yet have had no time to set them up or otherwise arrange them -

I will send you a list of what Eggs you have that I have not - and where you can spare me one - of each please do so – I have a great number which you have not and will exchange of course – just keep such as you may have of the following - until

I come or you come here – either -

[written in two columns] - Otis Brachyotus 1 2 Fringilla ravanarum Baltimore Oriole 4 Crow – 1 [written to right side of lines 4-7, second column] Fragments of least bittern & yellow bill cuckoo with varieties of Blk birds eggs Coot? [back to column 1] - Wild Pigeon 22 Dove - Carolina 22 22 22 Ralus Elegans Virgineanus ^{2 2} & Carolina ^{2 2} - Sand Hill Crane 2 Bittern 1 Lobipes wilsonii 1

Most of the above you have marked - but one specime, of course you have none to spare but should you come across them next year just remember us –

22 King bird 2 (cat - 38)

Our best wishes for all –

Mrs Hoy sends her love

Yours Truly P.R. Hoy

Dr Robert Kennicott

[page turned, stamped on right side of page] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections