RK-851

[stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections

[printed letterhead] No. [written] 10 [printed] Smithsonian Institution, [written] 1 [printed] Washington D. C., [written] Jan 2nd [printed] 18 [written] 63.

My Dear Paternal.

Yours of Dec 27th & 30th recd together this morning - I must answer hurriedly - I find myself carrying about as much sail as I can stand - That is I have rather too many things on my mind at once - But I will soon get into harness and have things so systimatized that I can give a stroke to each hot iron in turn.

I cannot yet give you an account of my journey from home to here - in too big a hurry this moning will do it tomorrow or Sunday. saw many people will tell about em fully -

Yesterday I made a few new years day calls - went to Arnolds with an Illinois Chap - He (Arnold) was very polite and affable - Mrs Trumbull was not in when I called will take occasion to see her tho'

Rumor th hath it that Mrs Douglass is to marry Secy Chase! Quien Sabe. Of the old megatheria not many are here

Stimpson has been travelling in Russia on mercantile business for his father - but will be back here at work this month Hayden is Contract Surgeon in Phila. Cooper Practicing medicine in Calafornia - Newberry Sanitary Commissioner in the west. - Girrard in France - Pas grand chose that Sam Girard - a little [illegible] too. The Ulkes are here all right and are making money!! Several new stars have appeard in the zoological firmament - The best of the lot is Cope - a regular brick - of wonderful talents, industry, acquirements and of the very best moral character. I think I like him next best to Baird of anyone Ive seen here.

Please tell [illegible] if you write him to write to me here - I looked in vain for him - He was not in Buffalo

[stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections

[written] 2

when I was there -

F. R. Elliott is in Agl Dpt Pat Office - He just sent his son over to me here with a letter - Ill see him soon - Grinell is out of town this week - Ill see afo see about the Pat officer a notice all in good time -

I'm quite well but very busy - Cope is here now and I want to look over the snakes a little with him

I wrote you about studying birds and mammals - I seriously believe it would be a good thing for you.

Do you know anything special of Benj Walsh of Rock Island - the Entomologist - He is certainly a real scientific entomologist - the only one in Illinois who writes - Helmuth of Chicago is probably better on the one order of Buttes - I would like to know Walsh's character as a man He and I will very naturally be allies.

In a Hurry - Bob

Poddy - what in the Dickens do you mean by spending two weeks at the Folly - You little stupid to let your mother fool you that way - I can see very plainly that you are bound to be nothing but a babe - Nobody but a perfect baby would dream of such a thing as taking two weeks out of studying time to go visiting - Im afraid Ill have to look out for some other companion for next summers operations, if you cant be a little less babyish. This wont do Poddy. - You must work hard every day and keep doing it. You will find the work I have for you to do will be fet better fun than playing with small boys - but you must learn to act a little less like a very small boy ere you can commence with me.

Now Pray let me have a better account of you than I've heard lately - and dont let them make a baby of you and have you believing any humbug about your requiring time to play and all that nonsense - No fear small boy that you, Bruno or I will ever be injured by over work -

I would advise you to read a little in Arvien[?] and even read my articles on mammals - try to find out what the common species about The Grove are

Bob