RK-585

Murphysboro Jackson Co Ills 4th Octr (58

Dear Sir,

I recd a letter from you at Warbre of a cate in far back that I am ashamed to name it - the vol of Trans Agl Soc'y arrived abt 3 weeks since! - I had previously seen the article in the Rept Pat Offc - I am un educated to a point to understand it all, but read it with pleasure - I have not sent anything to your Soc'y - am still collecting from time to time & it has been my wish to go to the oldce formations South & Swest from here in this state that I might have Something approaching to a suit to sent - I am a good deal like one groping in the dark, knowing So little of the subject & had hoped until recently to have Some one with me more conversant with it - Some time if I live shall Send you what I have picked up & among a man of

tearle, there may be some things of interest

But it is pretty hard amid the hurry of busniess & its cares to give that attention to purely scientific matters that must be given to accomplish much - however it is less to here than in heady other places, for unless one learns or converse with nature, he can hold converse on nothing but wheat & hogs - tho' it is an encouraging sign that even here the dead level of democratic politics is becoming stiried - I do not know whether or not your Chicago Soc'y is in correspondence with a similar one in S 'Louis which is established on a firm basis, has a good membership & has published 2 numbers of transactions - If not would it not be well to open a correspondence? This you can do by writing to its Corresponding Sec'y Nathaniel Holmes, & please use my name if needful - as he is a friend whom I value highly - one among the few who being a lawyer, is progressive & not a "fossil"

If you should ever happen in S 'Louis, his office is on Chestnut between 2d & 3d & he will show you the Soc'y's & Dr Pope's collection & I know they would interest you - he thinks much more of such matters than of the law - &to the joint collection is Said by those competent to judge to be good considering the time they have been established -

Shall be glad to hear from you at any time & shall send what I can to the Soc'y - but do not expect too much of me, for I have not either the knowledge or the time that I wish I had -

Yours Truly Edward [illegible]

Robert Kennicott Esqr } West Northfield } Cook Co } Ills }