RK-671

Home day before Christmass -

Dear Bob -

I have been intending to write you for a long time but the truth is I have been forced into unusual activities for some time past. Had a great time in Bloomington - made lots of valuable acquaintances. - Did a little for Nat. Hist. You are appointed on what the immortal Dunlop with a bad attempt as wit [illegible] the Grand Central Grub Committee of the Ill. Nat Hist. &c, You for the North Bobb for the Center & Thomas for the South I tried to name then appoint the Agl - of the state Nat. Hist - Socy chairman to make the thing popular - some of the members made fools of themselves confounding farms with manure grubs. - I took an active part in all the doings had numerous battles and came near destroying my reputation by the independent position I choose to take on various questions I finally came off victorious - I suceeded in getting the farmer glorified and myself [illegible] to the fullest extent - We have the report all in our own hands & I am now hard at work on it - I fought Cora of all the offices - But this will not interest you much neither have I the time to day to tell

long stories - Father's eyes better [illegible] enough for him - Read to him yesterday le Conte's excellent lectures on Come with you would secure me a copy of the Smithsonian Rpt - for 157 which contains them.

[illegible] B - is here with me will stay a week Wish you [illegible] here & [illegible] they all do - - I would remark in [illegible] that I [illegible] this Prairie paper - Will write you long letter when I go to Egypt - -

Charley Bragdon has a [illegible] glory to Science I suppose he thinks -

Father says tell you it is uncertain if he goes - If he is well enough to go to Chicago Tuesday next he will still go though he can not be in Washington as soon as he expected. - Will calculate to leave Chicago fr by Thursday at latest if he goes. - Am perfectly well except eye which though not so painful as it was is still badly inflamed - have to keep in the dark. - Enclosed find Gov. Bissells letter - in ans - to fathers asking him to motion not survey in message -

Guess we shall have a good time tomorrow will promise to think of you as I [illegible] I am not good at thanking folks or would say something about that X an other thing. assistance - I believe you know I feel it - Guess I shall fit on some home for a little encouraged -

Bro Charley -

Juli B - sends you some [illegible] from the [illegible] corner - I know when you write them or me you can pretend that you know all about tucks the only secret we have from old folks. - She gets "fined" a good deal - Grows handsome every day - & is never [illegible]

Charlie

To Robt. Kennicott of the Smithsonian

2 letters from you with [illegible]= recived yesterday

[page turned, stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections