RK-491

[stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. [written] March 11th [printed] 18 [written] 58

Dear Major.

I am having jolly times just now – Dr Leconte and Mr Cassin are both here and living at our club – We have been overhauling birds and beetles at a great rate. Mr Cutting was here for several days this week – Yesterday Eddy the Editor of N. W. Christian advocate was at the Smithsonian Inst. and I endeavored to impress upon him the vast importence of my being kept here on good salery by Mo. [illegible] for a month or two yet – I hope he will talk Evans into coming here. I shall probably borrow $100. at 10 per cent of a friend here – Thus I will not need to vex Judson by poking him up too hard –

I shall have left after squaring acts up to the 1st of April over $100. in hand and as I'll certainly be on salery and expenses paid after that time Ill

be in no want of money without touching the Pat office money at all, which belongs to mother and the girls. I am sorry father has supposed I was in need of money as he seems to have borrowed trouble about it quite unnecessarily –

I trust nursery sales will be worth something tho I suppose they must be slim –

What men have you now Laurence is still with you I see – Remember me kindly to him and tell him I wish he would “catch the mice’ every time – Tell him Ill get Mr. Farnsworth to put his name on his books for pub. docs.

I got a present yesterday of Gilliss’ astronomical Report containing[?] much zoology – from a young lady – I’ll have quite a nice little library yet.

I hope to attend the annual meeting (at Baltimore in April) of the American Scientific Association where I’ll get acquainted with all the scientifics –

Love to all In a hurry Bob

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