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LETTERS OF ASA GRAY
EDITED BY
JANE LORING GRAY
IN TWO VOLUMES
VOL. I.
STON AND NEW YO
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND pore
Che Viverside a Cambridge
Copyright, 1893,
By JANE LORING GRAY.
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NOTE.
Ir has been my aim, in collecting and arranging the
“ Letters” from Dr. Gray’s large correspondence, to
show, as far as possible in his own words, his life and
his occupation. The greater part of the immense
mass of letters he wrote were necessarily purely sci-
entific, uninteresting except to the person addressed ;
so that many of those published are merely fragments,
and very few are given completely. I have made no
attempt to estimate his scientific or critical labors,
for they are sufficiently before the world in various
printed works ; but something of the personality of
the man and his many interests may be learned from
these familiar letters and from even the slight notes.
Dr. Gray began an Autobiography, but went no
further than to give a brief sketch of his early life.
This fragment is placed, with some notes illustrative
of the early conditions in which his youth was passed,
at the beginning of the work.
It is owing to the kind assistance of many friends
that the Autobiography and Letters are thus pre-
sented ; among whom should be especially mentioned
Professors C. S. Sargent and Charles L. Jackson,
Dr. W. G. Farlow, Mr. J. H. Redfield, and Mr.
Horace E. Scudder.
J. L. GRAY.
Boranic GARDEN, CAMBRIDGE,
July 1, 1893.
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CONTENTS.
PAGE
I. AuropiograpHy. 1810-1848 . ‘ if
If. Earty Unperrakines. 1831-1838 . : : ? 29
IIL Fist Journey 1ny Europes. 1838-1839 ; e
IV. A Decape or Work ar Home. 1840-1850. ~ nee
ne ON THE rsp Api The frontispiece portrait of Dr.
Gra, a photograph taken in 1867. The por-
ade ae hee 286 is from a daguerreotype taken about 1841. The
view of the Botanic Garden House, facing page 358, is froma drawing
by Isaac Sprague.
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LETTERS OF ASA GRAY.
CHAPTER I.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
1810-1843.
My great-great-grandfather, John Gray, with his
family, among which was Robert Gray, supposed to
be one of his sons, emigrated from Londonderry,
Ireland, to Worcester, Mass., being part of a Scotch-
Trish colony... The farm they took up was on the
north side of what is now Lincoln Street.
Robert Gray, my great-grandfather, died in Worces-
1 This colony was composed of rigid cece pee heres to
the
nineteen persons, nine of whom were clergymen. The report brought
verted their property into money, and embarked in five ships for
Boston, which they reached August 4, 1718. In Boston they sepa-
rated for different places, but the larger part were sent to Worcester,
then a frontier settlement of fifty-eight dwellings and two hundred
inhabitants, but needing a larger population as protection from the
Indians. John Gray — there were two of his name in the original
party — went to Worcester, where he owned considerable land, and
was evidently a man of influence in the colony, to judge from the
various public offices held by him.
2 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1810.
ter, January 16, 1766. He married Sarah Wiley!
about the year 1729. They had ten children; the
eighth was Moses Wiley Gray, my grandfather, born
in Worcester, December 31, . About the year
1769, he married Sally Miller, daughter of Samuel
and Elisabeth (Hammond) Miller, of Worcester,
and removed to Templeton, Mass. About 1787 he
removed to Grafton, Vermont, where his wife died in
1793. In 1794 he removed to Oneida County, N. Y.,
and settled in the Sauquoit Valley,? where he died
from injuries received from the fall of a tree, May 8,
1803. j
My father, Moses Gray, was the youngest of the
(eight?) children of his mother. There were three
half-brothers and a half-sister by a second wife, born
in Oneida County, none of whom survived my father.
He was born in Templeton, Mass., February 26,
1786.2 He was therefore in his eighteenth year when
1 Robert Gray, one of John Gray’s sons, was twenty years old when
he came to America. There is a tradition in the family that the
acquaintance and courtship began on the voyage
2 Sauquoit was a settlement in the eastern Pac of the town of
Paris, the township so named in grateful recognition of a supply of
food, sent by a Mr. Paris, of Oswego, at a time when the early
s GQ,
® Moses Gray was the eighth child, —a boy and a girl were born
later, — and one step-brother, Watson, survived Moses Gray. Moses
Wiley Gray made the journey to Sauquoit, on horseback, taking be-
re him his son Moses, then a boy of eight. The Mohawk Valley at
this time was the far West, with only slow and tedious communication
beyond Schenectady, but opening, in its lovely gon rag? Big:
tempting regions of hill and valley, well wooded, with ¢ spar-
leaving his son Moses, with his stepmother and her children largely
dependent on his assistance.
a eee re a rN eT TN CL ee rem me ee ee eee ee eee
1810.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 3
his father died. He used to say that he had only
six weeks of schooling; whether before or after
his father’s death I am ignorant. But soon after
that event he was apprenticed to a tanner and cur-
rier (Mr. Gier) at Sauquoit, in whose employment
he must have been for a part of the time after he
came of age, for I was born in a little house which
had been a shoe-shop on the premises of the tan-
ard.
The fact of being born supposes a maternal ancestry.
July 30, 1809, my father married Roxana Howard.
She was born in Longmeadow, Mass., March 15,
1789; was a daughter of Joseph Howard, who was
born in Pomfret, Conn., March 8, 1766, and of
Submit (Luce) Howard, born at Somers, Conn.,
April 8, 1767;! and he was the grandson of John
Howard of Ipswich,? Mass., and of Elisabeth Smith,
of the same town. He was the descendant of Thomas
Howard, who, with his wife and children, came from
Aylesford (or Maidstone), Kent, in the year 1634.
y mother came with her parents to Oneida County
and the Sauquoit Valley when only a few years old.®
Her father there joined a company which set up an
iron-forge. One of the early pieces of work of its
ip heanmer was to forge off three of my maternal
1 She was married in 1788
2 The house is still standing which, built in 1648 by an ancestor of
Ralph Waldo Emerson, was bought by William Howard, in 1669.
3 Asa’s mother was but four years old, when the family moved to
boats of that time. Joseph Howard was a man of a very lovable
character, as shown from the affectionate remembrances of him by his
grandchildren, the eldest of whom, Asa, was much with him. He was
a deacon of the First Church in Daiiseaach ik years, and one of
the leading men in the town. He died in
a AUTOBIOGRAPHY. (1812,
grandfather’s fingers. This appears to have qualified
him to be the clerk in charge, or manager, of the
office and store of the Paris Furnace Company, which
established a small iron-smelting furnace on the
Sauquoit, two and a half miles above the village of
Sauquoit, in a deep and narrow valley which had the
name of Paris Furnace Hollow, now called Clayville,
the furnace long since having disappeared, a natural
consequence of the exhaustion of the charcoal fur-
nished by the woods of the surrounding hills. My
earliest recollections are of Paris Furnace Hollow,
for not long after I was born, as aforesaid, in
Sauquoit, on the eastern or Methodist side of the
creek, on the 18th of November, 1810, my father and
mother removed to Paris Furnacé with me, their ip
born, and set up a small tannery there. Of this I
retain some vivid recollections, eared Sales con-
nected with the first use to which I was put, the
driving round the ring of the old one which turned
the bark-mill, and the supplying the said mill with its
grist of bark, — a lonely and monotonous occupation.!
1 Moses Gray was a man of great activity and energy. He soon
added a shoe-shop to his tannery, where he hired a few hands to make
shoes from the hides he tanned, taking these again by wagon to
Albany, a journey of many days, where he bought his skins and some
“
ever, is still beautiful, and the house which Moses Gray py two
or three years later yet stands, with a lovely near view tream
and hill and wood. Asa Gray remembered = father elon it.
Busy as the father was out of doors, the m was perhaps busier
still. Asa, the younger brother by the first wife, was dying of con-
sumption ; ‘he was moved on a bed from Sauquoit to Paris Furnace,
AT, 3.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 5
I was sent to the district school near by when three years
old; and I either remember some of my performances
of that or the next year, or have been told them in
such way as to leave the matter doubtful.! My earliest
and died very soon after, in May, 1811, aged twenty-three. When
the child was born, November 18, 1810, it was carried to him to
trained. The hands employed on farm or in trade were generally
grain
the farm grew, more cows were added. Then the clothing was Sis me-
made. The wool for flannel sheets and underclothing and for the
men’s clothes was home-spun, the nicer portions taken off and carded
separately, and spun as worsted for the children’s and women’s
d : :
1 was hired for part of the year, for was also spun for the
house linen and for wearing-apparel. T aving
e the w to make up the clothing with the
that spinning. It is alsosaid that the Irish potato was first introduced
into New England by these same colonists.
A widowed sister came with her children to make her home under
the same roof when the Grays moved later to a larger farm, and
there seemed always some boy to be housed and taught and trained.
Though his aid might tell out of doors, the home care came upon the
mother. But Mrs. Gray was a woman of singularly quiet and gentle
character, with great strength and decision, and possessed a wonderful
power of accomplishing and turning off work ; a woman of thoughtful,
earnest ways, conscientious and self-forgetting.
The father was quick, decided, and an immense worker; from him
the son took his lively movements and his quick eagerness of
f fun.
1 His mother, having another child, was probably glad to have the
6 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1817,
distinct recollections of school are of spelling-matches,
in which at six or seven years I was a champion.’
active boy safe for a few hours. Her young sisters lived not far
was a marked spot of advance in the spelling-book.
his seat, waving the book bia a great flourish before her! It was
0 before he was three yea
1 Of one of — his fiend, now over eighty years old, gives an
account in the st g@ letter
Savuquoit, February 19, 1888.
Dear A.—I would like to give you some information of your un-
cle’s early life if I were well informed, but I have only one little inci-
had a lovely teacher that summer by the name of Sally Stickney,
living at Colonel Avery’s. She ruled by gentleness. For our class
she had an old-fashioned two-shilling piece, with a hole through to
insert a yard of blue ribbon. She put this over the head of the one
that stood first in our class. So it traveled every night, all that
summer, with some one of us, until the ribbon was worn and faded.
had watched with jealous eyes so many weeks, and studied Web-
beating fast, and eyes on the coveted prize, we were called on the
last day of school to spell; we took our places; I was at the head,
Asa next. missed and he went above me; my all was gone, but
it was worse to have him point his finger at me and say out loud
“kee-e-e.”’ I braved it without a tear; a — more words would end
the strife. It came around to him, and he missed; how quick I went
above him ; but in an instant he dropped his ran on the desk before
aca and wept as though his heart would break. School was dis-
scholars were leaving; still he did not move, until our kind
‘esas came to him, whispered to him, soothed and petted him; then
Pree et aint saeans = -_
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ET. 7.) AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 7
There was a year or two of early boyhood in which I
was sent to a small “ select”’ or private school, taught
at Sauquoit, by the son of the pastor of the parish;
a year or two following, in which I was in my maternal
grandfather’s family, near by, as a sort of office-boy ;
and at the age of twelve, or near it, I was sent off to
the Clinton Grammar School, nine miles away, where
I was drilled after a fashion in the rudiments of Latin
he jumped up and ran, I suppose wishing me in Halifax. I felt
sorry for him and would have been willing to divide with him if he
had not crowed over me so. I ran nearly all the way home — a good
mile — with my epee ik _ great haste to have some one tell me the
best way to invest my m . Iwas told to go another three quarters
of a mile to Stephen arses s car spend it for calico, piece it up, to
keep forever. I could get only one yard for my two-shilling piece, not
nearly as good as can be ngeite now for three cents a yard. Nota
that district, but as years passed on I often heard of his rising fame
with pleasure. If Eli Avery were living he would have been his best
biographer in this place.
The time has flown so fast since all this transpired, it seems as if
his tears had hardly dried before my grandchildren were studying his
ace
ars ago the 9th day of September, when the doctor was
visitng i in Song he called here and remarked, in his smiling way,
4 all over feeling badly about that.” LI said, ‘‘ And
well you may oe you have received so many honors since then.”’
Your loving friend,
Harriet Rogers.
A neighbor who survived to a great age also told a story of Dr.
Gray’s boyhood, which he said he had from Dr. Gray’s father :—
One day he had been set to hoe a certain amount of corn, and his
eae found him reading instead of at his work. He gave him his
ice, to finish his task and then read comfortably, or to sit there in
dhs field all day in the hot sun, which one knows is no pleasant thing
in August, and read. He chose the reading, and his father said then,
“T made up my mind he might make something of a scholar, but he
would neyer make a farmer!” And so his farther education was de-
cided,
8 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1825,
and Greek for two years, excepting the three summer
months, when I was taken home to assist in the corn
and hayfield. For my father, buying up, little by
little, lands which had been cleared for charcoal, had
become a farmer in a small way, an occupation to
which he was most inclined. So about these times
he sold out the tannery and bought a small farm
nearer to Sauquoit, mainly of the land which my
maternal grandfather had settled on, including the
house in which he had married my mother. To it he
removed, and there resided until he bought out an
adjacent small farm in addition, with an old house
very pleasantly situated, which he rebuilt and lived
in until after I had attained my majority. But soon
after that he bought a small farm close to the Sanquoit
village on the western or Presbyterian side, hard
the meeting-house the family had always attended.
There my father indulged his special fancy by re-
building another old house, and the place, after his
death, and, much later, after that of my mother, fell
to my eldest brother, who still possesses it.1
I am not sure, but I think it was after two years
of the Clinton Grammar School that I was transferred
to Fairfield Academy.? Fairfield, Herkimer County,
1 Asa Gray was the oldest of eight ange three sisters and four
— of whom there survive two sisters and two brothers,
2 Dr. Gray visited Fairfield again in (e summer of 1860 or 1861.
He pointed out his old room, and told about some of the pranks he
He was no doubt restless and active, nd lonening
Ea
mT. 14.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 9
lies high on the hills, between the West and East
Canada creeks, seven miles north of Little Falls.
I went there first in October, 1825, the date I fix by
that of the completion of the Erie Canal. For that
autumn, I think in November, I walked one after-
noon, along with some other students, down to Little
Falls to see there the arrival of the canal-boat which
bore the canal-commissioners, with the governor, De
Witt Clinton at their head, on their ceremonious voy-
age from Buffalo to New York city. It reached Little
Falls near sunset, and we walked to Fairfield that
evening. The reason for my being sent to Fairfield
Academy was that the principal of the academy was
Charles Avery, uncle of my companion from infancy,
Eli Avery, of our town, who died two years ago, who
had been educated by the help of Eli’s father, Colonel
Avery, one of the owners of Paris furnace. Charles
Avery several years later took the professorship of
quickly and easily would have leisure for some mischief, but he said,
“ T always learned my lessons.”’ He loved to recall the long indies
through the woods on Saturday holidays, and how in early spring -
and his companions would climb to a lookout and see where colum
he ran through the , without looking up at the leaves, havin
then the keen power of observation though no especial interest in
botany. For, as ways said, his first fancy was for min ey
evening before the fire and smoked, he said to himself, “ Really, I am
beginning to like it. It will become a habit; I shall be dependent
upon it.’’ And so he threw his cigar into the fire and gave up
smoking entirely.
10 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1825,
chemistry, etc., at Hamilton College, lived to over
ninety, I think, and through all his later years seemed
to be very proud of having been my teacher. I cannot
say that I owe much to him, even for teaching me
mathematics, which was his forte. My capital memory
allowed me to “get my lessons” easily, and that
sufficed ; and I had none of the sharp drilling and
testing which I needed. He lingers in my memory in
another way. He was sharp at turning a penny in
various ways; among them, he for the first year and
more jobbed the board of his nephew Eli and myself,
who were chums, paying for it in cooking-stoves and
the like from Paris furnace, in which through his
brother he had an interest, and boarding us round,
from one house to another (we had our room in the
academy buildings) until the stove which cooked our
dinner was paid for. Sometimes our fare was good
enough ; but one poor widow, who took us in her turn,
fed us so much upon boiled salt cod, not always of the
sweetest, that the sight of that dish still calls up an-
cient memories not altogether agreeable. I think it
was not at that time, but at a somewhat later date, and
with less excuse, that we mended our diet upon one
occasion, one winter’s night, by carrying off the princi-
pal’s best fowls from the roost, skinning them, as the
most expeditious and neatest way, and broiling them
in our room as the pice de résistance, for they were
tough, in a little supper we got up.
I here recall a favor which Mr. Avery did me. A
year or two after I had taken my M. D., my dear
old friend Professor Hadley, of Fairfield Medical
College, who had been filling the place at Hamilton
College pro tem., made me a candidate for the profes-
sorship there of chemistry, with geology and natural
mT. 15.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 11
science. But my old teacher, Mr. Avery, an alumnus
of the college, entered the lists and carried the day.
I wonder if I should have rusted out there if I had
got the place.
I must go back to say something of my omnivorous
reading, which was, after all, the larger part of my
education. I was a reader almost from my cradle,
and I read everything I could lay hands on. There
was no great choice in my early boyhood. But there
was a little subscription library at Sauquoit, the stock-
holders of which met four times a year, distributed the
books by auction to the highest bidder (maximum,
perhaps, ten or twelve cents) to have and to hold for
three months; or if there was no competition each
took what he chose. Rather slow circulation this ;
but in the three months the books were thoroughly
read. History I rather took to, but especially voyages
_ and travels were my delight. There were no plays,
not even Shakespeare in the library, but a sprinkling
of novels. My novel-reading, up to the time when I
was sent to school at Clinton, was confined, I think, to
Miss Porter’s “ Children of the Abbey” and “ Thad-
deus of Warsaw ” —the latter a soul-stirring pro-
duction, of which I can recall a good deal; of the
former nothing distinctly. One Sunday afternoon, of
the first winter I was at Clinton, I went into the
public room of one of the two village inns, where half
a dozen of the villagers were assembled; and one
was reading aloud “Quentin Durward,” which had
just appexed 3 in an American (Philadelphia) reprint.
was my introduction to the Waverley novels.
The next summer, when at home for farm work, I
found “ Rob Roy” in the little library I have men-
tioned, took it out and read it with interest. In the
12 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1826,
autumn, when I went back to school, some college (Ham-
ilton College) students were boarding at the house
where I boarded and lodged. One of them, seeing
my avidity for books, introduced me to the librarian
of the Phenix Society of the college, which had a
library strong in novels, which I was allowed, one by
one, to take home for reading. I suppose that I read
them every one.!
It was intended that I should go to college, and my
father could have put me through without serious in-
convenience ; but he was buying land about this time,
and he persuaded me to give up that idea and to go
at once at the study of medicine, which I did, in the
autumn of 1826, beginning with the session of 1826—
27 in the medical college (of the western district), then
a flourishing country medical school at Fairfield. I
1 In later life the novels were always saved for long journeys.
good things. The glee and delight with which he read Hawthorne,
especially the Wonder-Book and Tanglewood Tales, make days to re-
member. So he read George Eliot, and Adam Bede carried him hap-
pily through a fit of the toothache. Scott always remained the prime
favorite, and his last day of reading, when the final illness was steal-
in the academy since 1809. There were then only five others in the
ena agg ple gg New York, Boston, Dartmouth, and
Baltimore. The war of 1812 with Great Britain made a demand for
army surgeons ase the sae and New York and Boston were
State.
grew rapidly in favor, and soon outnumbered the schools of the
~
ren
<3
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(SRO eR me
zr. 16.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 13
had already attended its courses in chemistry, given
by Professor James Hadley (father of Professor
James Hadley of Yale College, then a lad), my earli-
est scientific adviser and most excellent friend. I had
a passion for mineralogy in those days, as well as for
chemistry. The spring and summer of 1827 I passed
in the office of one of the village doctors of Sauquoit,
Dr. Priest, and on the opening af the autumn session re-
turned to the medical school at Fairfield. That year,
large cities. In 1820 the school had one hundred students, and in-
Academy were Albert Barnes, the noted expositor, General Halleck,
of the United States Army, and James Hadley, professor of Greek at
he
of lectures. “One of them was RY y Dr. Mather, who was a fel-
oo often served him on his journeys, when a regular prnetitinase
was not within easy reach
14 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1828,
in the course of the winter, I picked up and read the
article “ Botany” in Brewster’s ‘‘ Edinburgh Eneyelo-
predia,” a poor thing, no doubt, but it interested me
much. I bought Eaion’s ‘Manual of Botany,” ! pored
over its pages, and waited for spring. Before the
spring opened, the short college session being over, I
became a medical student, after the country fashion,
in the office of Dr. John F. Trowbridge of Bridge-
water, Oneida County, nine miles south of my pater-
nal home; continued there for three years, except
during the college sessions, where I attended four
annual courses before taking my degree of M. D. at
the close of the session of 1829-30.2 The fact will ap-
pear, which [ did not reveal at the time, that I took this
degree six or seven months (1 passed my examination,
indeed, eight or nine months) before 1 had attained
the legal age of twenty-one. But I looked older, and
was in fact such an old stager in the school that no
one thought of asking if I was of age. That degree
gives me my place high enough on the Harvard Uni-
versity list to entitle me to a free dinner at Com-
mencement.
I have mentioned my interest in botany as begin-
ning in the winter and out of all reach either a a
greenhouse or of a potted plant. But in the spring,
I think that of 1828, I sallied forth one April day into
the bare woods, found an early specimen of a plant in
flower, peeping through dead leaves, brought it home,
and with Eaton’s “ Manual” without much difficulty
I ran it down to its name, Claytonia Virginica.
1 Amos Eaton, 1776-1842. Graduated from Williams in 1799,
Teacher, lecturer, and author of Manual of the Botany of North Amer-
ica, as well as of many reports on geological surveys
2 College catalogue of Fairfield, 1830-31.
ar. 17.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 15
(It was really C. Caroliniana, but the two were
not distinguished in that book.) I was well pleased,
and went on, collecting and examining all the flowers
T could Jay hands on; and the rides over the country
to visit patients along with my preceptor, Dr. Trow-
bridge, gave good opportunities. I began an herba-
rium of shockingly bad specimens. In autumn, going
back to Fairfield for the annual course of medical lee-
tures, I took specimens of those plants that puzzled me -
to Professor Hadley, who had learned some botany of
Dr. Ives of New Haven, and had made a neat herba-
rium of the common New England and New York
plants, which I studied carefully that winter. At
Professor Hadley’s suggestion I opened a correspond-
ence with Dr. Lewis C. Beck of Albany,! who was
the botanist of the region. The next summer I col-
lected more easily and critically. The summer after,
I think, or probably the summer of 1830, I had an
opportunity to make a little run to New York, being
sent by Dr. Trowbridge to buy some medical books,
driving in a one-horse wagon, with my own horse,
ninety miles to Albany, thence by steamer to New York
over night; one night there, and back next day by
boat to Albany, and so driving back to Bridgewater
in company with a man of business who joined me in
this little expedition. I stopped to see Lewis C. Beck
at Albany Academy; there I first saw a grave-look-
ing man who I was told was Professor Henry, who
had just been making a wonderful electro-magnet.
had procured from Professor Hadley a letter of in-
troduction to Dr. Torrey, whose “ Flora of the North-
ern United States,” vol. i., was our greatest help so
1 Lewis C. Beck, 1798-1853; professor in Albany Academy ; author
of Botany of the United States North of Virginia.
16 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [ 1830,
far as it went, and which on that journey I bought
acopy of. I took also a parcel of plants to be named.
Finding my way to Dr. Torrey’s house in Charlton
Street with my parcel and letter, I had the disap-
pointment of finding that he was away at Williams-
town, Massachusetts, for the summer. It was not
until the next winter that at Fairfield I received a
letter from Dr. Torrey, naming my plants, and invit-
ing the correspondence which continued thence to the
end of his life.
In addition to Dr. Hadley’s summer course of lec-
tures on chemistry, Dr. Lewis C. Beck used to come
and deliver a short course of lectures on botany. He
gave this up the year in which I received my M. D.,
so Professor Hadley invited me to come and give the
course instead. The course was given in five or six
weeks, beginning in the latter part of May. I pre-
pared myself during the winter, gave this my first
course of lectures, cleared forty dollars by the opera-
tion, and devoted it to the making of a tour to the
western part of the State of New York, as far as
Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Aurora,—a dozen or
more miles off, — where I visited an uncle, my mo-
ther’s brother, a well-to-do country merchant, also a
chum, Dr. Folwell, in Seneca County, high wp between
the two lakes, where I passed a week or two; thence
to Ithaca, and across the country by a stage-coach
back to Bridgewater. I hardly know what I did the
next autumn and winter, but in early spring a Mr.
Edgerton, a pupil of Amos Eaton, at Troy, the pro-
fessor of natural sciences at the flourishing school of
Mr. Bartlett at Utica, died. I applied for the va-
cancy, received the appointment, and for two or part
of three years, minus a long summer vacation, I
ee
eT. 19.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. | 17
taught chemistry, geology, mineralogy, and botany, to
boys, making with the boys very pleasant botanical
excursions through the country round. My first sum-
mer vacation, if I rightly remember, was in cholera
year, the disease being very fatal in Utica. About
the time it made its appearance in New York I
started off from Bridgewater, taking a little country
stage-coach down the Unadilla to Pennsylvania; vis-
ited Carbondale and made a collection of calamites
and fossil ferns; thence by stage-coach through the
Wind Gap to Easton ; thence out to Bethlehem, where
I passed a day with old Bishop Schweinitz,! gave
him a Carex which he said was new, but I told him it
was Carex livida, Wahl. (and I was right) ; back to
Easton; thence up to Sussex County, N. J., collect-
ing minerals (Franklinite, ete.) ; thence to adjacent
Orange County, N. Y., collecting spinelles, ete., as
well as botanizing; thence down to New York early
in September; there I met Dr. Torrey for the first
time, and we took a little expedition together down
to Tom’s River in the pine barrens, and back to New
York in a wood-sloop.
The next year, in the spring, Dr. Torrey went to
Europe, sent to purchase apparatus for the New York
City University, then just established. He engaged
me to go that summer to collect plants in the pine
barrens of New Jersey, he to take the half of my col-
lection, paying what would be required to defray my
very moderate expenses in the field. I found after-
wards that these plants went to B. D. Greene and
his brother Copley, then abroad and full of botany ;
1 Lewis David Schweinitz, 1780-1834; the first American who
studied and described the fungi of the United States. He wrote also
on other North American cryptogams and carices.
18 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1834,
and I have encountered them,-i. ¢., the specimens,
in various places, especially in Herb. De Candolle,
s “Coll. Greene.” I got down, I hardly now know
how, to Tuckerton on the Jersey coast, botanized at
Little Egg Harbor, Wading River, Quaker Bridge,
and Atsion. While at Quaker Bridge my loneliness
was cheered by the appearance of a fine-looking man,
who came in a chaise, looking after some particular
insect. It proved to be Major Le Conte.!
The next winter at Bartlett’s school. In the spring
went north to Watertown; visited Dr. Crawe, bota-
nized on Black River, made mineralogical excursions,
and back to Uttea via Sackett’s Har bee (lake to Os-
wego, and canal to Utica). After the spring term of
school there —I think it was that year, but am uncer-
tain —TI took through the summer Professor Hadley’s
place at Hamilton College, Clinton; gave for him a
course of instruction in botany and mineralogy. This,
I have reason to think, was a ruse of my good friend,
who wished me to sueceed to that professorship, which
he was on the point of resigning. Fortunately, Charles
Avery, my old academic preceptor, became a candi-
date and secured the election.
These years are a good deal mixed up, and I cannot
settle their dates nor the order of events. Only I
know that the next autumn I got a furlough from the
school until toward the end of winter, that I might
accept Dr. Torrey’s invitation to be his assistant dur-
ing his course of chemical lectures in the Medical
School, and at his house in the herbarium, living with
1 John E. Le ease 1784-1860 ; eapeaid major in United States
army. His first botanical publication was a catalogue of the plants
on ai island of New York, in 1810. He later wrote chiefly on énto-
mology.
7, 23.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 19
him, and receiving eighty dollars as pay. This I can
fix as the winter of 1833-34 or 1834-35. The first
century of my “ North American Graminew and Cype-
racee ” was got out that winter, and it bears the date
of 1834.1 In February or March I went up by stage-
coach from New York to Albany, thence to Bridge-
water, and so to Utica, to do my work at Bartlett’s
school. That finished, made a second trip to the
northeast part of the State, collecting in botany and
mineralogy with Dr. Crawe, extending the tour to St.
Lawrence County, where we found fine fluor-spar and
great but rough crystals of phosphate of lime, idio-
erase, etc. I wrote some account of these for the
‘American Journal of Science,” the earliest of my
many contributions to that journal. Returning to-
ward autumn to Bridgewater, [ there received a letter
from Dr. Torrey, informing me that the prospects of
the Medical College were so poor that he could not
longer afford to have my services as assistant. Bart-
lett’s school I had resigned from on account of my
prospects in New York. And, in fact, the school was
then going down, and he [Bartlett] was transferred
soon after to Poughkeepsie, where he flourished anew
for a time. I was in a rather bad way. But I deter-
mined to go to New York, assisted Dr. Torrey as I
could, got out the second part of my “ North American
Graminez and Cyperacee.” Iam not sure whether [
was in Dr. Torrey’s family or not, or for only a part
of the winter. But in the spring of 1835, I went up
to my father’s house for the summer, with some books,
1 Tt appears that in December, 1834, I read to the Lyceum of Nat-
ural History my first paper, Monograph of North American Rhyn-
chospore, and my second, New or Rare Plants of the State ei New
York. They must have been printed early in 1835. — A. G
20 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1836,
among them a copy of De Candolle’s “ Organogra-
phie” and “ Théorie Elémentaire.” These or at least
the former came from Professor Lehmann,! of Ham-
burg, with whom for a year or two I had corresponded
and exchanged plants, or received books in exchange
for plants. I had made a still earlier exchange with
Soleirol, a French army surgeon, who had collected
in Corsica. While at home I blocked out and partly
wrote my “ Elements of Botany.” Returned to New
York in the autumn; went into cheap lodgings, ar-
ranged with Carvill & Company to take my book. I
think they gave one hundred and fifty dollars, which
was a great sum for me. We got it through the press
that winter. John Carey had then come down to New
York, and was a great help to me in proof-reading, and
the little book was published in April or May, 1836.
I think it was in the autumn of 1836 that the Ly-
ceum of Natural History, New York, having with a
great effort erected their hall, on Broadway just below
Prince Street, I was appointed curator; had a room
for my use, some light pay, proportioned to light
duties, and this was my home for a year or two.
There I wrote my papers, “ Remarks on the Structure
and Affinities of the Ceratophyllacez ” (which dates
February 20, 1837), — not a very wise production, and
some of the observations are incorrect; also the better
paper, really rather good, “ Melanthacearum Ameri-
ce Septentrionalis Revisio,”’ published in 1837.
Dr. Torrey had planned the “ Flora of North Amer-
ica,” but had not made much solid progress in it. iL
having time on my hands, took hold to work up in a
pevllacnary way some of the earlier orders for his
use. This was to pass the time for a while, for in the
1 J. G. C. Lehmann, 1793-1860; professor at Hamburg.
Oe a ee ee
mT. 25.) AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 21
summer of 1836 I was appointed botanist to a great
South Pacific exploring expedition, which met with
all manner of delays in fitting out, changes in com-
manders, etc., until finally, in the spring of 1888,
Lieutenant Wilkes was appointed to the command,
the number and size of the vessels cut down, and the
scientific corps more or less diminished. The assis-
tant botanist, William Rich, an appointment of the
Secretary of the Navy, was to be left out. I resigned
in his favor, having been about that time appointed
professor of natural history in the newly chartered
University of Michigan. As I had thus far done
fully half the work, Dr. Torrey invited me to be joint
author in “ Flora of North America.” The first part
was printed and issued in July, the second in October,
1838, at our joint expense, my share being contributed
from the pay I had been receiving while waiting
orders as botanist of the exploring expedition.
By this time we had come to see that we did not
know enough of the original sources to work up the
North American flora properly, and as Dr. Torrey
could not get away from home, I was determined
to get abroad and consult some of the principal
herbaria. On being appointed professor in the Uni-
versity of Michigan, which had as yet no buildings, I
made it understood that I must have a year abroad.
The trustees of the university in this view gave me,
in the autumn of 1838, a year’s leave of absence, a
salary for that year of fifteen hundred dollars, and put
into my hands five thousand dollars with which to lay a
foundation for their general library. I sailed early in
November, 1838, in the packet-ship Philadelphia, for
Liverpool; went direct from Liverpool to Glasgow ;
was guest of Dr. William J. Hooker till Christmas —
22 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1839,
his son, Joseph D. Hooker, was then a medical stu-
dent; went to Arlary, December 26-7, to visit Arnott ;
stayed till the day after New Year; thence to Edin-
burgh for two or three days. Greville was the best
botanist, but Graham was the professor, Balfour then
a young botanist there. Heard old Monro, Wilson
(Christopher North), Chalmers, Traill, Charles Bell,
etc., lecture. On way south stopped at Melrose and
Abbotsford; coach to Neweastle, Durham (over
Sunday), and through Manchester, where rail was
taken, to Birmingham and London. Took lodgings
till some time in March. Dr. Boott was of course my
best friend there. But Hooker and Joseph came up
to London for a week. Hooker insisted on taking me
in hand as of his party, and so I was introduced to all
his friends; took me to the Royal Society, etc. ; dined
one day with Bentham, to whose house I often went,
and who gave me a full supply of letters to the bota-
nists on the Continent. I worked a good deal at the
British Museum; Robert Brown was very kind to me,
and his assistant, J. J. Bennett, very useful, putting
me up to all the old collections and how to consult
them. At Linnzan Society, thanks to Boott, had every
facility for the Linnean herbarium. Old Lambert
too; he had the Hookers and myself at dinner, and
gave me as good opportunity as he could to consult the
Pursh plants, ete., in his herbarium, which, not long
after, was scattered, but it was in his dining-room,
which was very much lumbered, and to be reached
only at certain hours. Lindley had me down for a
day to his house at Turnham Green, and a little din-
ner at the close. First visited Kew with the Hookers ;
called on Francis Bauer, who lived in a house near
the river ; found him at ninety making beautiful micro-
#T. 28.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 23
scopic drawings to illustrate the genera of ferns; and
Hooker then arranged for their publication in the
well-known volume for which he furnished the text.
Saw not rarely N. B. Ward, who lived at Wellclose
Square in Wapping, and whose cultivation of plants
in closed cases attracted much attention. Went with
Ward one day to dine with Menzies, then over ninety;
he lived, with a housekeeper, at Maida Vale, or some-
where beyond Kensington.
George P. Putnam, of the firm of Wiley & Put-
nam, was then resident in London, and through him
I managed the expenditure of the money placed in my
hands for the purchase of books for the University of
Michigan, in a manner that proved satisfactory.
There is still in my possession, but not in reach for
ready reference, a file of letters which I wrote home to
the Torrey family while I was in Europe. If I were to
find them and refresh my memory by them, I should
make these notes quite too long. I will therefore
trust to memory and touch lightly here and there on
my Continental journey. I think it was early in
March, 1839, that one morning I took passage on a
small steamer from London, Bentham coming to see
me off, to Calais; thence diligence for Paris. My
lodgings, near the Luxembourg, were not far from the
hina of P. Barker Webb, to whom I had introdue-
tions, and who was very useful to me; he owned the
herbarium of Desfontaines. At the Jardin des Plantes
were old Mirbel, who occupied himself only with
vegetable anatomy, Adrien Jussieu, with whom I cor-
responded as long as he lived, Brongniart, Decaisne,
then aide-naturaliste, and Spach, curator of the her-
barium. Jussieu had his father’s herbarium in his
study. Besides Michaux’s herbarium at the Jardin
24 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1839,
des Plantes, I had also to consult, for a few things,
the set taken by the actual writer of the “ Flora,”
L. C. Richard. This I found at the house of his son
Achille Richard, botanical professor in the Medical
School, living in the Medical Botanie Garden, then
occupying a piece of the Luxembourg grounds. The
other French botanists I recall were Dr. Montagne,
the eryptogamist, a pleasant man, Gaudichaud, whom
I saw little of, Auguste St. Hilaire, who I think spent
only the winter in Paris. I had an introduction to
Benjamin Delessert, who lived in fine style in a hotel
in the Rue Montmartre. Lasegue, the librarian, acted
as curator to the herbarium (Guillemin had died not
long before), which I found occasion to consult only
once. I should not forget Jacques Gay, with his
large herbarium very rich in European plants. I never
dreamed then that so many of them would find their
way into our own herbarium. He lived close to the
Luxembourg Palace, then the palace of the House of
Peers. Gay was the secretary of the Marquis de Se-
monville, who was a high official there, and so lived near
by. He held a weekly reception for botanists, ete.,
and was a good soul. It was at the herbarium of the
Jardin des Plantes that I first made the acquaintance
of a botanist of about my own age, Edmond Boissier
of Geneva, who was studying some of the plants of
his collections in Granada and other parts of Spain,
soon after brought out in his work on the “ Flora of
Granada,” ete.
I left Paris in early spring, by malle-poste to Lyons ;
passed a day with Seringe ; steamer to Avignon, dili-
gence to Nimes, and thence to Montpellier, where I
passed two or three days. Delile and Dunal were the
professors ; saw Bentham’s mother and sister, then
*
ae eres mee
ET. 28.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 25
resident there. Diligence to Marseilles, steamer to
Genoa, Leghorn, a ang at each ; to Civita Vecchia; a
carriage to Rome, along with an English clergyman ;
thence back same way to Leghorn, Pisa, Florence.
Vetturino to Bologna, Ferrara, Padua (Visiani at the
garden), Venice ; then steamer to Trieste ; a day with
Biasoletto, including a botanical excursion, and Tom-
masini. Fell in there with a young artist of New
York, whose name I have forgotten. We took places
in the malle-poste together to Vienna, but went on
two days ahead to Adelsberg ; visited the grotto on a
fete day when it was all lighted, and all the country
people there in gala trim; that night went on by
malle-poste. At Vienna, Endlicher, and his assistant
Fenzl, but the latter laid up with lame knee. Never
saw him afterward, but we had a long correspondence.
Steamer up the Danube to Linz, tramway, etc., to
the Gmunden See, and so to Ischl; climbed the Zei-
mitz, all alone, picked my first Alpine flowers; trav-
eled over night to Salzburg, then to Munich; fine
times with Martius and Zuccarini, joined the celebra-
tion out in the country of Linnzus’ birthday, — but
not the 24th May; I think two or three weeks later.
From Munich to Lindau on Lake Constance ; thence
to Zurich; up the lake to Horgen; walked over to
Art; walked up the Rigi; descended the Rigi to take
the boat up the lake, missed it, got a man to put me
across in Canton Unterwalden ; walked to Stanz, slept,
walked next morning to Engelberg, and then over the
[Joch?] Pass, and down to Meyringen ; next day to
Interlaken and the Staubbach, next over the Wengern
Alp to Grindelwald, next over the Grand Scheideck
to valley of Hassli, wp to the Grimsel, passed a Sun-
day in the snow; walked down to the Rhone glacier
26 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1841,
and down to Brieg; thence partly on foot, partly
char-a-bane, to Martigny ; made excursion to the Col
de Balme to get a good view of Mont Blane; back to
Martigny, down to Villeneuve, and steamer to Geneva.
I reached there, I think, July 4; worked there ten
days or so, very sharp; De Candolle, father and son,
and Reuter! the curator; saw again Boissier. Leay-
ing boat at Lausanne, diligence to Freiburg, Berne,
Bale. Got across country, I hardly remember how, to
Tubingen, Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Frankfort ; thence
to Leipzig ; made excursion to Dresden, then to Halle,
where was Schlechtendal, and where I looked over
old Schkuhr’s originals of his Carex plates ; thence
through Wittenberg to Potsdam and Berlin; worked
dilineatly a week in herbarium. Willdenow, Klotzsch
the curator ; saw old Link, Kunth, and Ehrenberg.
Diligence to Hamburg, where was Lehmann, one of
my very earliest correspondents. Steamer from Ham-
burg to London, late inSeptember. Toward the middle
of October went to Portsmouth, and came back to
New York in a London packet-ship. Steamers were
then only just beginning to make regular trips.
Returning, Michigan Vaivaite: was quite ready
to give me a Glaus of a year or two, without pay;
took hold sharp of “ Flora of North America,” and in
beginning of next summer (June, 1840) we issued
the parts 3 and 4 of vol.i. Then went at the ‘“Com-
posite ;”” was interrupted a while in summer of 1841,
when I went with John Carey, and James Constable
for a part of the time, on a botanical trip up the Val-
ley of Virginia to the mountains of North Carolina,
getting as far as to Grandfather and Roan.
1 George Francis Reuter, 1815-1873; director of the Botanical
Garden at peers } curator of Boissier’s herbarium.
KT, 30.] AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 27
It was, I think, in the spring of 1841 that the first
part of the “ Composite ” was published, 7. ¢., vol. ii.
. 1-184; the second part, to p. 400, was out the
week spring. Sometime in January, 1842, I made a
visit of two or three days to B. D. Greene in Boston ;
the first time I ever saw Boston. Came out one day
to Cambridge, dined with his father-in-law, President
Quincy ; the company to meet us was Professor Chan-
ning! and Professor Treadwell? Sometime in April,
I received a letter from President Quincy, telling me
that the Corporation of the university would elect me
Fisher professor of natural history if I would before-
hand signify my acceptance. The endowment then
yielded fifteen hundred dollars a year. I was to have
2% thousand and allow the rest to accumulate for a
while. Meanwhile I was to give only a course of botani-
eal lectures, in the second spring term, and look after
the Garden. But more work was soon added. I came
in July, in the midst of vacation, before Commence-
ment, which was then in September ; got oC 's, With
room for my then small herbarium, in the house of
Deacon Munroe. Went late in September on an excur-
sion to Mount Washington, by way of the Notch, along
with Tuckerman, then living at his father’s in Boston.
Worked away at “ Composite,’ and in the winter
went to New York and carried the remainder through
the press. It was issued in February, 1843.
I must not forget that my little ‘ Gia of Bot-
any” had been sold out, and the publishers, Carvill, had
gone out of business or died. I prepared in 1841-42
1 Edward T. Channing; professor of rhetoric and oratory at Har-
vard University,
2 Daniel cool .. in Harvard Univ a, of applied
ae distinguished inventor in mechanics, especially in the weld-
steel.
28 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [1843.
the first edition of my “ Botanical Text-Book ;” it was
in the course of printing when I was appointed to the
Fisher professorship, so “ee I could put that title on
the title-page, and have a text-book for my class.
y first session of college work was over about
July 7 1843. The treasurer, Mr. Samuel Eliot, had
given me leave to spend a small sum in replenishing
the Botanic Garden. I met my friend and corre-
spondent, William S. Sullivant, who had taken strongly
to mosses, early in August, on the Alleghanies beyond
Frostburg, Maryland (the railroad went only to Cum-
berland), he coming from Columbus, Ohio, I from
Cambridge. There we bought a span of horses and
a strong country wagon, and set out on the mountain
expedition, some sketch of which is given in the
“‘ American Journal of Science” for January, 1846.
(The first journey is more particularly detailed in
the “American Journal of Science,” xlii., no. 1;
1842?) When Sullivant left me, at Warm Springs
on the French Broad, anxious to get home, I was left
in a pretty lonely condition.
Ne ee
a
—~
CHAPTER IL.
EARLY UNDERTAKINGS.
1831-1838.
Dr. Gray’s autobiographical fragment closes ab-
ruptly, and is valuable chiefly for the glimpse which
it gives of his ancestry and his boyhood. He kept
no diary, but he carried on a voluminous correspond-
ence, and his letters thus contain a record of his
hard-working, eager life. The earliest tell of the
struggle for position, his doubts if his loved science
could furnish him a maintenance, and his resolution
to make any sacrifice if he could devote himself to
its study. His wants outside of appliances for scien-
tific investigation were few, and he had a hopeful
temper. He said in later life that when he was ready
for anything it always came to him, and he never
dwelt upon the hardships of his early years; indeed,
he forgot them.
After leaving Fairfield Medical College-he divided
his years between teaching in Bartlett’s school in
Utica (some of his old pupils still recall his field
excursions with his class, and his eager delight in
the search after plants), in journeys botanical and
mineralogical, and in some shorter and longer stays
in New York, where for a good portion of the time
he was a member of Dr. John Torrey’s family. Dr.
Torrey was a keen observer, a lively suggester of new
30 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. (1831,
theories and explanations, most eminently truthful in
all inquiries, and a devout Christian. Mrs. Torrey
was a woman of rare character, refined, of intellectual
tastes and cultivation, great independence, extremely
benevolent, and with a capacity for government and
control. She was devotedly religious, not only for her-
self and her own household, but for all who could
possibly come within her influence. It was a new ex-
perience to the country-bred young man, and she saw
in him many capabilities of which he was as yet himself
unconscious. He always said that in his development
he owed much to her in many ways. She criticised
and improved his manners, his tastes, his habits, and
especially, together with Dr. Torrey, exercised a strong
influence on his religious life. His parents and
family were conscientious, good and faithful church
members. But they were not people who talked much,
and indeed had little direct oversight of their son
after he was fourteen years old, when he left home.
He never returned to the family roof after that for
more than a few months at a time, and his youthful
surroundings away from home were of very varied
influence ; some of them, though never vicious, were
of a decidedly irreligious character. When he en-
tered the Torrey family, the difference in the life, the
contrast in the way of meeting trials and sorrows
struck him forcibly, and the religious side of his
nature was roused, a serious interest awakened, which
from that time on made always a strong and perma-
nent part of his character.
Dr. Torrey saw the ability of the young student,
and writing to his friend, Professor Henry, in Feb-
ruary, 1835, to see if a place could not be found for
him at Princeton, says : —
er ee ee ee
Tp Mim a eS a i ak elk ae hele i iin ne eas ae ae Oe vi Be ny | en an
ET, 21.] EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. 31
“J wish we could find a place for my friend Gray
in the college... . He has no superior in botany,
considering eg age, and any subject that he takes
up he handles in a masterly manner. . . . He is an
uncommonly fine fellow, and will make a great noise
in the scientific world one of these days. It is good
policy for the college to secure the services and affec-
tions of young men of talent, and let them grow up
with the institution. . . . He would do great credit
to the college ; and he will be continually publish-
ing. He has just prepared for publication in the
Annals of the Lyceum two capital botanical papers.
... Gray has a capital herbarium and collection
of minerals. He understands most of the branches
of natural history well, and in botany he has few
superiors.”
His friend, Mr. John H. Redfield,! recalling him in
those early days, writes: —
“He had worked with Dr. Torrey in his herbarium
in 1834 and in 1835, and in 1834 read his first paper
before the Lyceum, a monograph of the North Amer-
ican Rhyncosporz, which is still the best help we
have for the study of that genus. His bachelor
quarters were in the upper story of the building, and
there he diligently employed the hours not ieunled
with other duties in studies and dissections, the re-
sults of which appeared in several elaborate contribu-
tions to the Annals. Dr. Gray’s residence in the
building and his position as librarian brought him
into frequent and pleasant intercourse with the mem-
bers of the Lyceum, and in this way began my own
acquaintance with him. The interest which he always
1 John H. Redfield; curator of the herbarium of the botanical de-
partment of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Science
32 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1835,
manifested in making easy the openings to the paths
of knowledge for the younger men impressed me
greatly. In describing his manner I should use
neither the terms ‘imperious’ or ‘impetuous,’ but
enthusiastic eagerness would better express its char-
acteristic. He had even then something of that hesi-
taney of speech which he sometimes manifested in
later years, a hesitancy which seemed to arise from
thoughts which crowded faster than words could be
found for them, and I associate his manner of speak-
ing then with a slight swing of the head from side to
side, which my recollections of his later manner do not
recall, In person he was unusually attractive, his
face, bright, animated and expressive, lit up by eyes
beaming with intellect and kindness.”
Dr. Gray began in 1834 his contributions to the
‘“ American Journal of Science.’ His first paper,
printed in May, was “ A Sketch of the Mineralogy
of a Portion of Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties,
N. Y., by J. B. Crawe of Watertown, and A. Gray of
Utica, N. Y.,”! and from that time until his death he
was a constant contributor of original articles, reviews,
and notices of all botanists whose deaths occurred
within his knowledge, leaving an unfinished necrology
on his desk.
In 1835 his first text-book was written, “ Elements
of Botany,” and he returned to the same title for his
last text-book in 1887. He spent a summer at his
Sauquoit home at work upon it; and he once gave a
lively account of the warm and noisy discussions
which he held with his friend John Carey over style
and expressions when he was reading the proofs in
his boarding-house in New York, to the great interest
i 1 American Jour. Sci., xxv, 346-350.
#7, 25.] TO JOHN TORREY. 33
of all within hearing. He admitted that it was one
of the best lessons in the art of writing he ever els
Dr. Gray, writing for the “ New York World”
obituary notice of John Carey, on his osama in 1880,
says of him, after a short sketch of his life
“Mr. Carey was a man of marked gifts, « accom-
plishments, ee individuality. His name will long be
remembered in American botany.- There are few of
his contemporaries in this country who have done
more for it than he, although he took little part in
independent publication. His critical knowledge and
taste and his keen insight were most useful to me in
my earlier days of botanical authorship. He wrote
several valuable articles for the journals, and when, in
1848, my ‘Manual of Botany’ was produced, he
contributed to it the two most difficult articles, that
on the willows and that on the sedges. . . .
“ Being fondly attached to his memory, and almost
the last survivor of the notable scientifie circle which
Mr. Carey adorned, I wish to pay this feeble tribute
to the memory of a worthy botanist and a most genial,
true-hearted, and good man.”
It is to be regretted that Dr. Gray’s letters to his
old friend are no longer in existence.
His correspondence with Sir William Jackson
Hooker, then professor at Glasgow, Scotland, began
in 18365.
TO JOHN TORREY.
BrIpGEWATER, OnErpA County, N. Y., January 1, 1831.
Dear Srr,—lI received your letter, through Pro-
fessor Hadley, a few weeks since, and I embrace the
earliest opportunity of transmitting a few specimens
of those plants of which you wished a further supply.
34 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1831,
I regret that the state of my herbarium will not ad-
mit of my sending as many specimens of each as I
could wish or as would be desirable to you. I shall
be able to obtain an additional supply of most of them
during the ensuing summer, when it will give me
pleasure to supply you with those, or any other inter-
esting plants which I may meet with. I send you a
few grasses, numbered ; also a few mosses, ete. When
you have leisure, you will oblige me by sending the
names of those numbered, and rectify any errors in
those labeled. If you should be desirous of additional
specimens, please let me know it, and I will supply
you in the course of next summer.
You ask me whether I am desirous of obtaining the
plants peculiar to New York, New Jersey, etc., or of
European plants. I should be highly gratified by re-
ceiving any plants you think proper to send me; and
will repay you, so far as in my power, by transmitting
specimens of all the interesting plants I discover. I
know little of exotic botany, having no foreign speci-
mens. [am particularly attached to the study of the
grasses, ferns, ete. If you have any specimens to
transmit to me, please leave them with Mr. Franklin
Brown, Attorney at Law, Inns of Court, Beekman
Street, who will forward them to me by the earliest
opportunity.
During the next summer, I intend to visit the west-
ern part of this State, alsoOhio and Michigan. I shall
devote a large portion of my time to the collection of
the plants of the places I visit. If you know of any
interesting localities, or where any interesting plants
could be procured, please inform me, and I will en-
deavor to obtain them for you.
Respectfully yours, Asa Gray.
£7. 20.] TO JOHN TORREY. 35
Brivcewatek, April 6, 1832.
Having a convenient opportunity of sending to you,
I improve it to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of October 6, and of the very interesting and yvalua-
ble package of plants which was duly received a few
weeks afterwards. In the course of the ensuing sum-
mer, I shall be able to supply you with an additional
supply of most of the plants mentioned in your list.
Many of these were collected during an excursion to
the western part of the State, and are not found in this
section of the country.
I have given a copy of this list to my friend Dr. N
W. Folwell of Seneca County, an industrious collec-
tor, who is situated in a section rich in plants, and
requested him to transmit specimens of these and other
interesting plants to you. I think he will be able to
furnish you with many interesting plants from that
section of country, and I shall be gratefy] for any
favors you may have in your power to Confer upon
him. I shall be engaged the ensuing swmer at Fair-
field and at Salina, where I hope to make some in-
teresting collections in natural history. Ig it is not
too much trouble and the specimen is within your
reach, may I ask further information with regard to
No. 34, in my last package to you. It is a Carex,
from the shore of Lake Erie, — growing with C. lu-
pulina but flowering later. Is it not @ yar- of C.
lupulina 7 ? from which it appears to differ principally
in its pedunculate spikes? It flowers a month later
than C. lupulina (August 6).
Will you excuse me for troubling you on another
subject? I shall not be able to remain much longer
in this place, unless I engage in the practice of adh
cine under circumstances ne will altogether pre-
36 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1832,
clude me from paying any further attention to nat-
ural history. My friends advise me to spend a few
years in a milder climate, our family being predis-
posed to phthisis, although I am perfectly healthy
and robust; and such a course would be very agree-
able to me, as I could combine the study of natural
history with the professional business which will be
necessary for my support. I have thought of the
Southern States, but I have for some time been in-
clined to prefer Mexico, both on account of the salu-
brity of its climate, and of its botanical and minera-
logical riches, which so far as I know have never
been very thoroughly explored. My object in trou-
bling you with all this is merely to obtain some infor-
mation with regard to the natural history of that
country. Has the country been explored by any
botanist since Humboldt in 1803? And is there still
room enough in that branch to repay one for devoting
a few years to its investigations ?
I am young (twenty-one), without any engagements
to confine me to this section of country, and prefer the
study of botany to anything else. Although I have
not arrived at any positive determination, I have com-
menced the study of the Spanish language, and find it
(with the aid of Latin and French) quite easy. I
should be pleased to have your advice on this subject,
as you have many sources of information which are
beyond my reach. I should be highly gratified if you
would state to me what you think of the prospects in
Mexico for a person under my circumstances, and
whether any other section of country or any other
situation presents greater inducements. Under what-
ever circumstances I may be placed, it will be grati-
fying to me to continue a correspondence which has,
AT. 21.] TO JOHN TORREY. 37
thus far, been so useful to me, and I shall always wish
to do all in my power to render it interesting to you.
I shall be ready to leave this place by Ist of Septem-
ber next, at which time I shall probably visit New
York. Will you write me on this subject as soon as
convenient, and very much oblige,
Yours truly, A. Gray.
P.S. There is within a circuit of some miles, and
at this place, a great variety of fossil organic remains,
and I am collecting them as extensively as possible.
We find trilobites (Asaphus, and occasionally Caly-
mene), a variety of bivalve and a few univalve shells,
ete., both in lime rock and greywacke. e cele-
brated locality of Trenton Falls you are of course
acquainted with. Would a suit of them be accepta-
ble to yourself, or the Lyceum of Natural History,
New York? And can they be named, so that I can
label my collection from them? There may few of
them be of any interest, but if you wish it you shall
have a suit containing specimens of all I find.
Unica, January 2, 1835.
I received your letter of December 25, and have
given the subject of which you write a careful con-
sideration. I may say that I have no objection to the
situation you propose, if a proper arrangement can be
made.
The terms of my engagement here are these. This
situation became vacant by the death of Mr. Edgerton
in April last. Iwas recommended by some of my
friends, and finally made an arrangement for one year;
took charge of a class in botany and mineralogy on
20th May; closed July 30. Have been at liberty
38 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1833,
until now; have just commenced a chemical course,
to continue nine weeks, which will conclude my duties
for the year. The compensation is board, room, wash-
ing, fuel, and all other expenses of the kind, for the
whole year, or as much of the year as I choose to
remain here. All expenses of the laboratory are de-
frayed (which by the way are not likely to be heavy),
and in addition I receive $300. The advantages of
the situation are, leisure and the means of a comfort-
able support. The disadvantages, the school is not
incorporated and though now flourishing may not con-
tinue so, the scholars are too young, the principal
wishes to retain too much of the Eatonian plan to
suit me, and they have not furnished the means for
the chemical course which I had a right to expect.
No arrangement has been made for another year, but
I have reason to think I shall be requested to remain
another year. Iam confident my leisure time would
be employed to greater advantage if I was situated so
as to have access to good libraries and extensive col-
lections.
At present I can be satisfied with a moderate in-
come, sufficient for a comfortable support, for the
purchase of a few books, etc.; but that income
must be sure; I cannot afford to run any risks about
it. I would willingly collect plants the whole sum-
mer, take on my hands the whole labor of preparing
and arranging them, but as the proceeds would be
absolutely necessary for my support, so they should
be certain. I am now advantageously situated for
the collection of plants, etc., as, if I choose, I can
travel every year with a class who will defray my ex-
nses
If you still desire to make such arrangement, please
KT. 22.] TO JOHN TORREY. oo
to state more explicitly the duties you wish me to
perform; how much time can be given to collecting
plants; what compensation you can afford me, sup-
posing nearly the whole summer is devoted to making
collections, and three fourths of the whole to belong
to you,—or propose any plan which would be satis-
factory to you, and I will let you know, very shortly,
whether I will accept it or not. I had rather leave it
to yourself than to make any definite proposition at
present. I am confident we can make an arrange-
ment which will be mutually beneficial.
I need not say that I wish to hear from you again
on this subject as soon as possible, as 1 must soon
make my arrangements for the ensuing season. How
large is the class at the Medical College? I have
just returned from a visit at Fairfield; they have a
class of about 190. In haste,
Yours very respectfully, A. Gray.
Utica, January 23, 1833.
Excuse me for troubling you. I have this day re-
ceived from Dr. L. C. Beck a sheet of a work, now
publishing, entitled a “ Flora of the Northern and
Middle States,” arranged according to the natural
system. I have the sheet commencing the species;
commences with Ranunculacez ; it is in 12mo.
As you mentioned that Beck has been very secret
in all his proceedings, it occurred to me that very pos-
sibly you have heard nothing of it, and I thought it
right to let you know. It appears to be after the
fashion of De Candolle’s ‘“* Prodromus,” condensed de-
scriptions and fine print. He still keeps his Ranun-
culus lacustris, and has added a new species to that
genus, which he calls R. Clintonii, from Rome, Oneida
40 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1833,
County, N. Y.; the same as published in fifth. edi-
tion Eaton’s “ Manual” under the name of R. pro-
stratus, Lamk. I have never seen their specimens,
but have little doubt it is a form of R. repens, which
flowers with us from April to September and assumes
many forms. Dr. Beck wishes me to send him any
undescribed or interesting plants, localities of rare
plants, ete. eel somewhat interested in the work,
as I wish it to supersede Eaton’s entirely. (I hear
Eaton is coming out with a new edition in the spring.
I see Beck means to anticipate him.) But all the
undescribed plants I have are in your hands, and it
would be improper to send him such at present. He
has in his hands an imperfect specimen of Nasturtium
natans, De Candolle, which I sent him two years ago.
He did not know it; supposed it N. palustre, ind I
do not know whether he has determined it or no. I
will tell him what it is. He has that Ophioglossum
and probably will publish it. If you please you can
publish this, that Seleria, ete., in Silliman, that is,
if you think them new. I will send none of these to
Beck, but will give him the localities of some of our
most interesting plants.
I have not heard from you since I wrote you on the
subject of your letter, but hope you will write me
soon. If we can make any arrangement for a year,
by its expiration you will know whether or not I
shall be of any use to you. I wish to be situated in
such a manner as will enable me to advance most rap-
idly in science, in botany especially.
I succeeded, some days ago, in making the chloro-
chromic acid of Dr. Thomson (of which you spoke to
me when at your house), with chromate of lead, in-
stead of bichromate of potash, which I was unable to
RT, 22.) TO JOHN TORREY. 41
obtain. It set alcohol, ether, spirits of turpentine,
ete., on fire. I did not try it upon phosphorus. Shall
prepare it again in a few weeks for class experiments.
I am, Sir, Yours respectfully,
A. Gray.
Urica, March 22, 1834.
I thankfully acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the Ist inst., and am delighted to learn that you
contemplate giving a course of botanical lectures be-
fore you leave the city. I hope the plan will succeed,
and that you will have a large and very fashionable
class. My journey was as tedious as rain and bad
roads could make it. The first night, being alone in
the coach, I was upset by the carelessness of a drunk-
en driver. The top of the coach, striking against a
stone wall, was broken in; but I escaped, narrowly in-
deed, without any injury excepting a few rents in m
clothes. At the end of the route, I had the satisfac-
tion of seeing the driver dismissed from his employ-
ment. On my arrival at Bridgewater I found a child
of my friend and former medical preceptor,’ a favorite
little daughter, dangerously, almost hopelessly sick
with inflammation of the brain. I was consequently
detained several days, and before I left had the satis-
faction of seeing the little patient convalescent. I
am now in fine working order and busily engaged in
my chemical course.
Dr. Hadley called upon me yesterday and I gave
him the little “notions” you sent by me. He
was much pleased, but was especially delighted with
the condensed sulphurous and anhydrous sulphuric
acids.
1 Dr. Trowbridge.
42 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. (1834,
The principal object of this letter is to consult you
in regard to some propositions made me by Professor
Hadley. Besides his situation in the Medical College,
you are aware that he holds the professorship of
chemistry and natural science in Hamilton College.
He has just concluded his chemical course in that
institution, but in the early part of summer he lectures
to the senior class upon botany and mineralogy. As
they are about to make some alterations in the college
building at Fairfield, his presence will be required
there, and he wishes me to take his place for the ensu-
ing term at Hamilton College. I ought also to state
that Dr. H. accepted that situation with the intention
of holding it but a few years, until the college should
have surmounted the trouble in which it was (and is)
involved, and from which we have pretty good rea-
son to hope, from the exertions now being made, it
will soon be extricated, so that the professorships may
be properly endowed. He has given notice of his in-
tention to resign about a year nee by which time,
if ever, the college will be able to place several profes-
sorships upon a substantial foundation. Dr. H. has
expressed to me a strong desire that I should be con-
sidered a candidate for the place, and I strongly sus-
pect that to further that object is one reason for his
wishing me to act as his substitute during the ensuing
summer. My presence there would be necessary
from the Ist of June to the middle of July. Dr. H.
has been acting under a nominal salary of $500,
being engaged there but thirteen or fourteen weeks.
For the summer course I should receive $200. Dr. H.
insures me $100 immediately, even if he has to ad-
vance it himself, and the whole if funds are in the
hands of the treasurer; if not, the whole would be
Maa aes eee ee
ET. 23.] TO JOHN TORREY. 43
received quite certainly within the year. I have only
to say further that the college has now one hundred
students, is situated in a beautiful village nine miles
from Utica, has the best college buildings of any in
the State, has a good faculty, ete. I urged the prom-
ise I had made of the visit to Georgia, which this plan
would entirely frustrate, but promised to give him a
definite answer within a fortnight.
T ean scarcely think of postponing my southern
tour for another season; but the question comes to
this, whether, in the present state of my finances, I
had better expend $100 in that visit or earn $200 in
the same time. I could also, I think, continue my
engagements here in July and August, by which a
little more of the trash might be pocketed, and return
to New York in time to make a September excursion
to the dearly beloved pine barrens of New Jersey, and
spend the early part of fall in botanical work, and
the winter in your laboratory. The term closes here
the 23d of April (a little earlier than I supposed) ; so
if the original plan is pursued I shall be in New York
by the 26th of that month. If not, I shall be disen-
gaged for a month, a portion of which I should like to
devote, with my friend Dr. Crawe, to the minerals
of St. Lawrence County. So rests the case. I told
Dr. H. that I should write immediately to you, and
be governed in a good degree by your answer.
I have such a dislike to the appearance of vacilla-
tion which results from changing one’s plans when
fully formed, that were it not for certain ulterior ad-
vantages, and that I wish to comply with the wishes,
as far as may be, of a person to whom I am much
obliged, I should promptly decline Dr. Hadley’s
offer.
44 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1834,
An idea just this moment strikes me which, in its
erude shape, I will communicate. In eight or ten
days I can get to the metals. Suppose I could then
get excused, and finish my course here next summer
in connection with mineralogy, which for these young-
sters would do pretty well; reach New York early
next month; set out immediately for Georgia, and
remain there until the latter part of May; return via
Charleston ; examine Elliott’s herbarium, and return
here by the first of June. I may be quite sure that
April and May would be healthy, but could there be
plants enough collected, especially Graminez, to make
it an object? Please say what you think of it. If
you think it will do, I see no insuperable objection to
carrying it into effect.
few days ago a letter reached me from Professor
Lehmann, in answer to my communication eighteen
months ago. He is quite desirous of continuing the
correspondence. He is now particularly engaged
with Hepatic, and is anxious to obtain our species,
and especially original specimens of those described
by the late Mr. Schweinitz, ete. He has sent a box
(which by this time I hope has arrived in New York)
containing about five hundred species of plants and
several botanical books. He also writes that he has
applied to Nees von Esenbeck for dried specimens
of all the species of Aster cultivated in his garden
in order to transmit them with the monograph by
that author; but not having arrived in time they
will be sent with his next package. I wish to be par-
ticularly remembered to Mrs. Torrey and to Mr.
Shaw, not forgetting my lively little friends J
E ,and M , whom I very much long to see. I
had intended long before this to have written to Mr.
HT. 23.] TO JOHN TORREY. 45
Shaw, but have not yet had leisure. Please say to
him that I am much obliged for the papers he has
been so good as to send me. I wish to know whether
he has yet apostatized from the anti-tea-drinking’ soci-
ety, of which Mr. S. and myself were (“ par nobile
fratrum’”’) such promising members. Please say to
him that I have not yet drunk tea, but am doing pen-
ance upon coffee, milk, and water.
May I trouble you for the very earliest possible
answer to this, which will much oblige
Yours very respectfully, A. Gray.
, Hamitron Con.eceE, June 9, 1834.
Your letter of the 13th ult., with the bundle of
books, was in due time teal, Yours of the 2d
ult. was received at the same time. I can send
you no more copies of “ Graminee,”! ete.; all I
brought up are subscribed for and delivered. ‘ Major
Downing ” who subscribes for two copies (one for
himself and one for his friend the Gin’ral,? I sup-
pose ), as well as the other subscribers, must wait until
I am lecturing here to a small but quite intelli-
gent Senior class, twenty-six in number, just enough to
fill three sides of a large table, and time passes very
pleasantly. The small fund for the support of this
institution will, I think, be secured, but the trustees
North American Graminee and Cyperacee, of which Part I. was
stb in 1834, Part II. in 1835, This was the first separate and
remarkably well selected, skillfully prepared, chitiealls studied, and
carefully compared with gig ose in the extensive and very authentic
herbarium of Dr. Torrey.
. a to the then popular squib of Major Jack Downing’s
lette
46 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. (1834,
do not act in concert with the faculty, and it is ru-
mored quarrel among themselves, so that, unless some
changes are effected in the board, I fear the college
will not be sustained. I shall remain here five weeks
longer, and then have a short engagement at Utica.
J have promised to make a visit to the north in Au-
gust. I wish very much that I was able to remain
there six or seven weeks, to examine with attention
the vegetation of the primitive region in St. Lawrence
and Franklin counties. I cannot doubt that the
mountains and the banks of the large streams of that
region would furnish a rich harvest of plants. That
range is an extension of one from the far north, which,
passing between the Great Lakes and Hudson’s Bay,
crosses the St. Lawrence at the Thousand Islands,
and passes through St. Lawrence, Franklin, and
Clinton counties. Consequently many sub - alpine
plants, such as Anemone Hudsonica, Trisetum molle,
Geum triflorum, ete., are found in this region farther
south than elsewhere. The mineralogy of the region,
also, needs to be farther explored. The expense of
such a tour, divided between Dr. Crawe and myself,
traveling in a conveyance of our own, will be compar-
atively trifling.
I find, however, that further supplies of several
New Jersey grasses are absolutely required to enable
me to make out the necessary number of suits this
fall of the first part of my “ Grasses.” I see also by the
list before me that they (with few exceptions) are in
good state as late as the 8th or 10th of September, and
that they can all be obtained without proceeding far-
ther south than Tom’s River; so that I have no alter-
native but to hasten back to New York, and make a
flying trip to Tom’s River (or Howel Works at least)
ET, 23.] TO HIS FATHER. 47
early in September. If you meet with Panicum
agrostoides, Poa obtusa Muhl., and Poa eragrostis, I
shall be much obliged if you will secure for me the
needful quantity of specimens. I am making arrange-
ments for securing the bulbs, tubers, and seeds of the
rarer plants for Lehmann. I shall take great pleasure
in complying with your desire of securing as many as
possible for your little garden. Bulbs and tubers I
take up after flowering, and place in dry sand. Can
you give some instructions as to the best manner of
preserving other perennial roots, such as Asters, ete. ?
f you will give me the necessary instructions, I
promise you to spare no exertions to carry them into
I have nearly finished De Candolle’s “ Théorie Elé-
mentaire.” I have devoured it like a novel. It ought
to be translated, that it may be more generally read
in this country, where something of the kind is much
needed. By the way, as soon as you receive Lindley’s
new elementary work, I hope you will set about pre-
paring an American edition.
This immediate neighborhood is very poor for bota-
nizing. Excepting Cyperacer, it furnishes nothing
of interest. I shall soon, however, make more distant
excursions, so as to include Oneida Lake and the
‘pine plains.” When I return I shall bring with
me a huge bundle of plants, which will show that I
have not been idle.
TO HIS FATHER.
November 21, 1834.
The class at the Medical College is very small, so
that I have no salary here at present. But I have a
comfortable and pleasant home, and fine opportunities
48 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1835,
for pursuing my favorite studies, and for acquiring a
reputation that must sooner or later secure me a good
place. I have work enough thrown into my hands to
support me, with my prudent habits, through the win-
ter. I spend my time entirely at the medical college
and at my home here at Dr. Torrey’s, and hold little
intercourse with any except medical and scientific men.
I am writing two scientific articles on a difficult branch
of botany for a scientific journal or magazine, which
will give me a little notoriety. Dr. Torrey and my-
self went last month to Philadelphia, where we stayed
a week. We spent our time almost entirely in the
rooms of the American Philosophical Society, and of
the Academy of Science. We met most of the scien-
tific and other learned men, and spent our time very
pleasantly. You shall hear from me again before long.
It is not probable that I shall be up before next sum-
TO HIS MOTHER.
Saturday Morning, February 7, 1835.
I do not know when I shall see you. I shall be
up sometime during the spring or summer if I live
so long, but perhaps not until July or August. It is
very probable that I shall stay in the city the whole
time. I wish very much to spend a few weeks in
Georgia, early in the spring, but I see that I shall not
be able to do so. My time is spent here very profit-
ably, and Iam advancing in knowledge as fast as I
ought to wish, but I make no money, or scarcely
enough to live upon. Just at present I am rather
behindhand, but think that by next fall I shall, with
ordinary success, be in better circumstances. It is
unpleasant to be embarrassed in such matters, for I
should like much to be independent, and this with my
sn a catielee oS
Dunne
ET. 24.) TO HIS FATHER. 49
moderate wishes would require no very large sum, and
I have no great desire to be rich.
Tell father Iam very glad he has brought home the
remainder of those boxes from Utica. The burning
down of one of the buildings of the gymnasium has
broken up that school entirely, and it probably will
not be revived. I knew Mr. Bartlett would fail soon,
and that accident has only hastened the time a little.
He has been insolvent for some time. There was a
very severe fire within a few rods of us last week;
five or six dwelling-houses and other buildings were
burned to the ground. Although it was so near us we
were sitting at tea entirely unconcerned. Everything
is done by the fire companies, and people who crowd
about fires are only in the way, without doing any
good,
Let me hear from you soon, and you will hear from
me again in due season. The lectures in the Medical
College will be finished in about three weeks, and
then I shall be a little more at leisure.
I am very affectionately yours,
A. GRAY.
TO HIS FATHER.
New York, April 6, 1835.
Dear Fatuer,—I have been waiting for some
time to see what my plans for the season would
expecting as soon as that point was determined is
write to you. All my arrangements were upset last
fall, and the prospects for daily bread have been rather
dark all winter—that is for the present; for the
future they look as well as I could expect. It is
probable now that I shall remain here during the sum-
mer; prosecuting the same studies and pursuits in
50 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1835,
which I am now engaged, unless something else turns
up in the mean time... .
Tell mother I have for her a copy of Barnes’s
‘Notes on the Gospels,” but I want to read it myself
before I send it up. Perhaps I can’t spare it until I
come up. I think you will all be very much pleased
with it. I wish I could also send you his “ Notes on
the Acts and Romans.” Please ask Mr. Rogers, or
any of your merchants when they come to New York
this spring, to drop a line in the post-office for me,
that I may take the opportunity of sending home by
them. I wish I could come up this spring, but I see
that I shall not be able. Do you take a religious
newspaper? Please write to me soon. May the Lord
prosper you and keep you all.
Yours truly and affectionately,
A. Gray.
TO W. J. HOOKER,
w York, April 4, 1835.
Dear Srr,— Your kind re of December 11,
with the parcel of books you were so good as to send
me, were in due time received, for both of which I
beg you to accept my thanks. Perhaps you will do
me the favor to accept a copy of the second part of
the “North American Graminee and Cyperacez,”
being a continuation of my attempt to illustrate our
species of these families, the plan of which, I am
gratified to learn, meets your approbation. I inclose
in the same parcel the loose sheets of an unpublished
portion of the third volume of the ‘ Annals of the
New York Lyceum of Natural History,” compris-
ing an attempt at a monography of the genus Rhyn-
chospora. A more perfect copy, with a copy of the
aE MATT REMN IE ID ne yar ee a eS e STN ERNE A Pee eT er TN Ue EN rN tn e ar fe ad ay seh EPA UY cem VRBO MEISEL Tomy oh 1 Been emanate aE RMP ae) rls eo NE Se vee at ae UNM BERENS Teena Opie a gh eae mE
eS ee ee
#7. 24.) TO JOHN TORREY. 51
engraving, now in the hands of the artist, will be
transmitted to you by the earliest opportunity. I
also send a little parcel of mosses, nearly all of which
were collected in the interior of the State of New
York. May I ask you to look them over at as early
an opportunity as may suit your convenience, and to
return to me the result of your determinations. I
do not venture to think that you will find among them
anything of especial interest. I very much regret
that I am at the present moment unable to forward
to you a half a dozen copies of the work of “ Gra-
minez and Cyperacez,” the number you so kindly
offer to take charge of. A few species are wanting to
complete further suits of the first volume, but these
I hope soon to obtain. Not to permit your kind offer
to pass wholly unimproved, I hereby transmit to you
three copies of vols. 1 and 2 which are at the disposal
of any of your botanical friends who may desire to
possess the work. If an additional number of copies
should be needed they can in a very short time be
furnished. With high respect, I remain, dear sir,
ours truly, . Gray.
To WiturAm Jackson Hooker
Regius Professor of Botany? in the Dekvsenity at Glasgow.
TO JOHN TORREY.
Savevoit, N. Y., July 9, 1835.
I am progressing a little with my rather formidable
task; in fact I am making haste quite slowly, and
am now discussing the mysteries of exogenous and
endogenous stems. I have studied little this week,
for I found that close confinement was spoiling my
health, so I have been taking quite severe exercise
almost constantly, by which I am considerably im-
o2 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1835,
proved already, although my bones ache prodigiously.
I have not yet botanized largely. When at Bridge-
water I secured all I could find of the new Carex ;
also C. chordorhiza, which, by the way, Crawe has
found in his region. hope soon to collect more ex-
tensively, but in this vicinity there are no plants of
especial interest. I have just now a mania for exam-
ining and preserving the roots and fruits of our plants
(I make notes of everything in a copy of your “ Com-
pendium”’), and I hope to bring you a collection in this
way which will interest, and perhaps be of some use
to you. Fruits and ripe seeds are not often to be ob-
tained, at least in a proper state, in our herbaria. I
have been examining our Smilax rotundifolia. It is a
regular endogenous shrub, although it sometimes dies
nearly to the ground, but always sends out a branch
from the uppermost node which survives the winter.
It branches just as any endogen would, because the
terminal bud is killed; the branches are cylindrical,
and increase very little in diameter after their pro-
duction. A cross-section shows the same structure as
the rattan, i. e., the vascular and woody bundles are
arranged ively throughout the stem. But a great
part of the stem is prostrate beneath the surface, and
it may be traced back, alive and dead, for several
years’ growth. In fact I have not yet succeeded in
tracing the stem back to the true root ; all I have seen
are adventitious roots sent off by the nodes of the
stem. This is the only endogenous shrub, I presume,
in the Northern States. By the way, the term rhizoma
must be used much in descriptive botany, and be ex-
tended so as to include all subterranean, nearly hori-
zontal stems, or portions of the stem, which produce
roots from any part of their surface and buds from
Dee a en eae SE pe ly ee CRE Ma eee eS ee Te SEL TN Spek =o ae eee ay ee
cramp eerctiay:
cc raccpunehareneelebainyer asi Fr Bat shh
rT. 24.] TO HIS FATHER. 58
their extremity. It occurs in a great part of herba-
ceous perennials, and can always in practice be distin-
guished from the root, although it is still described
as root in all the books; witness, Hydrophyllum,
Acta, Caulophyllum, Trillium, Convallaria, and so on
to infinity.
I am not yet perfectly satisfied about our Actas ;
thus the red-berried one is now perfectly ripe, while
the berries of the white one are but half-grown; all
the red ones, so far as I have seen, have slender pedi-
cels also, yet the leaves and the rhizomata are exactly
alike. By the way, while I was botanizing this after-
noon, I met with great quantities of Orchis specta-
bilis, by far the largest and finest I ever saw; their
leaves emulating Habenaria orbiculata. If you care
for them in the slightest degree, I will secure a suffi-
cient quantity to fill your garden. O. spectabilis will,
while in flower, be a very pretty spectacle... .
I remain cordially and truly yours,
A. GRay.
TO HIS FATHER.
New York, September 28, 1855.
I suppose I have been a little negligent in waiting
so long before I wrote home, but in truth I did not
wish to write until I had something certain to say,
and even now I have very little. met Dr. Hadley
in Utica just at dusk on the evening of the day
you left me there, so I stayed all night there, and
went to Fairfield next day. I stayed at Fairtield
until Tuesday afternoon, then went to Little Falls,
and arrived in Albany just in time for the evening
boat next day, and was in New York at breakfast
next morning.
54 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1835,
Since my return I have been very busy, and on the
whole very comfortably situated. I have got back to
my class in the Sunday-school; both teachers and
scholars have mostly returned, for they all get scat-
tered during the warm months of the summer; and we
are now going on very well. On my arrival here I
found a very fine package of dried plants collected by
my friend the Rev. John Diell, chaplain for American
seamen in the Sandwich Islands. I set about them
immediately, and it has taken me nearly all my time
this month to study them, but I have now finished
them. I shall send my notes about them to Professor
Hooker of Glasgow, Scotland, that he may, if he
pleases, publish them in the “Journal of Botany,” of
which he is the editor. They are of more interest to
the people on that side of the water than to us. I
have again sat down to writing upon the work in
which I have been engaged all summer, and I do not
mean that anything else shall tempt me from it until
it is finished, although a nice little parcel of weeds
from China, sent by S. Wells Williams! (son of Wm.
Williams), lies at my elbow. As to my book,? I am
trying to make a bargain with two publishers; the
prospects seem pretty fair, and I shall probably get
$300, which is the sum I insist on. I shall have a
definite answer in a few days. As to my course and
occupation for the winter I can say nothing, for I
have not hit upon any certain plan. One thing is
pretty certain after thinking over the matter quite
sab and consulting with Dr. Hadley, who is my
1S. Wells Williams, 1812-1884. Went as missionary to China in
1833. Wrote a Chinese dictionary and other works; translated Gene-
sis and Matthew into Japanese also. Later was secretary of the Amer-
ican Legation to — zh returned to America in 1875,
2 Elements of Bota
:
:
|
EN ae eee ee eee
mT. 24.] TO HIS FATHER. 55
firm friend in all these matters: I am determined to
persevere for a little while yet before I give up all
hopes from science as a pursuit for life. I have now,
and expect to have, a great many discouragements,
but I shall meet them as well as I ean, until it shall
seem to be my duty to adopt some other profession
for my daily bread. I have several plans before me,
some of which you would think rather bold; but I
have not yet settled upon any of them. As soon as
I take any steps at all I will let you know.
I know little of what is going on in the disias I
have not been down into the business part of the city
over five or six times since I have been here. When
Mr. Rogers comes down, if he will let me know where
he stops in season, I will see him. I shall write
again to some of you in a very short time. Let me
’ hear soon from some of you, and though I have here
little time for writing letters, I will give punctual
answers. I remain, al love to MESS and all the
rest, Very truly yours,
A. Gray.
New York, November 17, 1835.
To-day when I go down town I shall subscribe for
the “New York Observer” for you, and pay for a
year. The “Observer” and the “ Evangelist” are
both excellent papers, and I hardly know which to
choose. I would send the “ Evangelist,” did not Mr.
Leavitt fill it wp too much with anti-slavery. One
should if possible read both
I am now boarding at 286 Bleeker Street, but
when you write to me you may direct as before, as
Tam at Dr. Torrey’s a part of almost every day.
have a very comfortable and quiet place, for which
56 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1836,
I pay $4 per week, and keep a fire besides, which I
suppose will startle you a little. I hope to obtain
the situation of curator to the Lyceum of Natural
History in the spring, when their new building is
finished. The duties of the situation will take up
only a part of my time. I shall have under my charge
the best scientifie library and cabinet in the city, a
couple of fine rooms to live in, and a salary of about
$300. But although I can secure pretty strong influ-
ence, the best members of the society offering me the
place and wishing me to take it, yet it is not certain
that we shall bring it about,so I say nothing about it.
I shall let you kee whenever any changes offer in
my situation.
TO JOHN TORREY.
New York, July 11, 1836.
Dear Docror, — Since your departure several
memoranda of more or less consequence have aceu-
mulated around me, and (having not yet heard from
you) I will now communicate them, together with
whatever intelligence I think will interest you. To
begin with the most important. I have now (5 P.M.)
just returned from your house, where I found a parcel
for you (received by mail from Philadelphia, postage
the mere trifle of $1.14)), with the Hamburg seal,
and the handwriting of our old correspondent, Pro-
fessor Lehmann. Suspecting it to contain advice of
packages of plants or books, I took the liberty to open
it. I found two diplomas in high Dutch. Shade of
Leopoldino-Carolinee Cesar. academixe nature curi-
osorum! Hide your diminished head, and give way to
the Konigliche Botanische Gesellschaft in Regens-
burg!— which being interpreted means, I imagine,
the Royal Botanical Society of Regensburg. Now
eT oe ee
ee ee ae ee
ET. 25.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 57
know as little of Regensburg and the Regensburg peo-
ple who have done us such honor as a certain old lady
did of the famous King of Prussia; but I ratherly
think it means Ratisbon. . . .
Box of plants and box of bones are here ; the plants
certainly look the more antediluvian of the two. The
specimens are wretched and mostly devoid of interest.
The bones will be served up at the Lyceum this even-
ing. ... On the same day last week I received a
letter from Dewey,! and another from Carey, and ac-
cording to both their accounts they must have been
in raptures with each other. Dewey sends love to
friend Torrey, and Carey kind regards to Dr. and
Mrs. T. Dewey says Carey is rather savage upon
species, and where Carey has not given him a favora-
ble opinion upon any, it would amuse you to see how
Dewey has detailed them to me, in order if possible
to save the poor creatures’ lives. Dewey has a good
spirit and is altogether a most estimable man, and I am
sorry that we have to pull down any of his work. I
must write him a few things, that it may not come
upon him all at once... . Yours truly,
A. GRAY.
TO W. J. HOOKER.
New York, April 7, 1836.
Dear Str, —I take the opportunity of acknow-
ledging the receipt of your two kind letters, which
reached me a few weeks since nearly at the same time,
one by the Liverpool packet and the other by the
Lady Hannah Ellice. Allow me also to thank you
1 Chester oe 1784-1887 ; professor in Williams College, ronal
chusetts. Removed to Rochester, N. Y., 1836, where he died. ‘“ Car-
ried on the eae of Carex and published: on them for more than forty
years ” AF
58 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1836,
for the trouble you have taken in naming the set of
mosses, and especially for the beautiful parcel of
British mosses you were so good as to send me, which
were truly welcome. All British plants are so, as
I have next to none in my herbarium; but nothing
could be more acceptable than such a complete and
authentic suit of the mosses of your country.
to the Sandwich Island plants, I hardly know
what to say. Supposing they might be of some use
to you in connection with other collections, I copied
the brief notes I made on studying them very hur-
riedly indeed, and placed them at your disposal. I
did not possess sufficient means for determining them
in a satisfactory manner, and fear I have coneniided
errors in many eases. You will doubtless detect these
at once, and if, on the whole, you think proper to pub-
lish them in the “* Companion to the Botanical Maga-
zine,” may I ask you to revise the paper, and freely
make such corrections and alterations as you think
proper. In that case, if you think the notes worthy
of publication, I should not object; yet you are equally
at liberty to use them in any other way. The parcel
contained a specimen of a Composita (from Mouna
Kea) which puzzled me extremely, and I was unable
to ascertain its genus by Lessing. The anthers are
free, or slightly coherent, in all the flowers I examined.
Since the parcel was transmitted to you I have seen a
specimen of Rhus (from Sandwich Islands) resem-
bling the one in the parcel, except in having pubescent
leaves. The latter is therefore improperly charac-
terized, and, perhaps will prove to be a well-known
species. I shall hope to receive other and more com-
plete specimens from Mr. Diell, and if I am so fortu-
nate will gladly share with so esteemed a correspond-
she A ee eS UL el Ben — wee
— Se ee ee ee ee ee ee eee
BT. 25.) TO W. J. HOOKER. 59
ent as Dr. Hooker. I hope to send you a parcel by
the first opportunity that occurs of sending direct to
Glasgow : when I will put up specimens of the mosses
you desire, and will send a copy of the “ Graminee
and Cyperacee” for the gentleman at Paris who
wishes it.
It is so troublesome and expensive to get them
bound that I should much prefer, if any of your
friends and correspondents should desire them, to send
the specimens with labels and loose title-pages, at $4
per volume, each comprising, as you are aware, one
hundred species. I may in that way furnish larger and
often more perfect or more numerous specimens than
in the bound copies. I hope to publish the third
(and perhaps also the fourth) volume early next
autumn.
Allow me to express my thanks for your kind assist-
ance in various ways, and to say that I shall hereafter
(D. V.) prosecute the study of our lovely science with
increased zeal. I remain, with sentiments of the high-
est esteem,
Your much obliged friend, Asa GRAY.
October 10, 1836.
IT also beg your acceptance of a copy of a little ele-
mentary botanical work published last spring. I do
not expect it to possess any particular interest in your
eyes; but in this country, unfortunately, no popular
and at the same time scientific elementary treatise
has been generally accessible to botanical students,
and such a work was so greatly needed that I felt
constrained to make the attempt, since no better-
qualified person could be induced to undertake the
labor.
60 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1836,
A letter which Dr. Torrey has just received from
Mr. Arnott gives me the information that you have
honored my attempt at a monograph of Rhynchospora
by commencing the reprinting of it in the “‘ Companion
to the Botanical Magazine.” I might justly be proud
that my first attempt should be thought worthy such
notice ; but I wish it had been delayed until you could
receive the monograph “ Cyperacez of North America”
of Dr. Torrey, in which I had occasion, in the revision
of our Rhynchosporz, to make some important altera-
tions and corrections, as well as to introduce a new
species and specify some additional localities. The
paper referred to I hope you will receive with this
letter.
Except a few extra copies, all the sheets of the mon-
ograph “ Rhynchospore ” were destroyed by fire soon
after being printed, and when reprinted, about a year
since, I added a few observations, notes of additional
localities, ete. But owing to a want of careful revi-
sion I find there are several errors (several of which
are quite material), some of the pen and others of the
types. I hope these have been detected and corrected
in the course of the reprint. I send herewith the
sheets of the paper as published here, with such typo-
graphical corrections as now occur tome. Would it
not be proper to append a reprint of the revision of
Rhynchospore in Dr. Torrey’s monograph, a copy of
which I hope will reach you with the present letter.
If the specimens I send please Mr. Webb I shall be
glad. It is the last perfect set I have. Please make
no remittance, since the sum is too trifling, and more-
over I may soon have some favors to ask as to its dis-
posal. Indeed, I know not why I should not state
that there is some probability that I may soon visit
ee eee
ET. 25.) TO HIS FATHER. 61
the islands of the South Pacific Ocean as a bota-
nist, in the exploring expedition now fitting out un-
der the orders of our government. I am anxious to
engage in this work, and I suppose may do so if I
choose, but I fear that the expedition, which, if well
appointed and conducted, may do much for the ad-
vancement of the good cause of science, may be so
marred by improper appointments as to render it un-
advisable for me to be connected with it. I therefore
at present can merely throw out the intimation that
I may possibly accompany the naval expedition which
is expected to sail early in the spring, and to spend
two years in the southern portions of the Pacific
Ocean. If so I hope to decide the matter in time to
procure many needed works, etc., from England and
France. I must here close by subscribing myself,
with the highest respect,
Your obedient servant, Asa Gray.
TO HIS FATHER.
New York, October 8, 1836.
You may recollect that I intimated to you that there
was some probability of my changing my situation be-
fore a great while. Matters are now in such a state
that it becomes proper to inform you that I shall prob-
ably be offered the situation of botanist to the scien-
tific exploring expedition, now fitting out for the South
Sea by the United States government. This is to be
a large expedition, consisting of a frigate, two brigs,
a store-ship, and a schooner ; it is to be absent about
three years. It will sail possibly in the course of the
winter, but very probably not until spring. The scien-
tifie corps will consist of several persons, in different
departments of science, and the persons who will prob-
62 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1836,
ably be selected are mostly my personal friends : two
of them at least having been recommended at my sug-
gestion. The quarters offered us, and the accommoda-
tions, will be ample and complete, and the pay will
probably be considerable. We hope to obtain over
$2500 per year. Had I room here I would write you
further particulars, but this will do for the present.
I ask whether, if everything is arranged in a satisfac-
tory manner, you are willing and think it best that I
should go. I think it not unlikely that the appoint-
ments will be made during the present month. A
few days ago I was offered the professorship of
chemistry and natural history in the college at Jack-
son, Louisiana (in the upper part of that State, near
the Mississippi River), with a salary of $1500 per
year. This I at once declined. I do not like the
Southern States.
Yours affectionately, A. GRAY.
New York, November 21, 1836.
No appointments are yet made in the scientific corps
of the South Sea expedition. The difficulties as to
the naval officers are only just settled. There are so
many who wish to command that it is impossible to
please them all. Captain Jones, the commander, is
now in town, and I had the pleasure of seeing him this
evening at the Astor hotel. He goes to Boston to-
morrow to look after the two brigs fitting out at the
navy yard there.
The Secretary of the Navy has written me that
when the appointments are made in the scientific
corps, the chief naturalists will be called to Washing-
ton for a few days, for the distribution of Juice
among them. If the place for which I ask is given
Pe ee
ry
;
ad
z |
is
.
ee ee
HT, 26.] TO HIS FATHER. 63
me, it is not unlikely that I may be in Washington
early next month. I think you cannot expect E.
and myself before about Thanksgiving Day, when if
she should have recovered we shall have one reason
more than usual for returning thanks to the Author of
all good. You did not, it appears, think it a matter
of sufficient consequence to say anything about my
contemplated voyage; or to offer even an opinion
about the matter. Perhaps you thought that, like
most people, I only asked advice after T had cial up
my own mind; and you are not far from correct in
this supposition. Still I should have been glad to
know that you take some interest in the matter.
As soon as anything is determined upon at head-
quarters I will let you know. .. .
March 21, 1837.
Since I wrote you last I have been to Washington.
I was there at the inauguration and for a few days
afterwards. We were not sent for by the Secretary
of the Navy, so we had to bear our own traveling ex-
penses, which were not small. When the secretary
chooses to convene us, which he seems in no great
hurry to do, we shall probably be directed to meet at
Philadelphia, or perhaps at New York. There seems
to be no doubt but that we shall be here until July.
As they do not choose to advance us any pay yet,
money will be very scarce with me for a month or two
at least. My engagement at the Lyceum terminated
at the close of their year, that is, on the last Monday
of last month. So, although I occupy my rooms here
until the first of May, I draw no salary.
64 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1837,
TO JOHN F. TROWBRIDGE.
New York, November 9, 1857.
Dear Doctor, — Your letter and that of Mrs. T.,
dated November 7, reached me this afternoon, to which
T hasten to reply, as I have been just on the point of
writing you for a week past, but have waited from day
to day, in the expectation of being able to afford you
more definite information than I could have done. It
is this, rather than want of time or inclination, that
often causes the delay in writing to my friends. The
intelligence which concerns us and interests our friends
comes in little by little, day by day. Thus, for in-
stance, the scientific corps were ordered to report here
to Commander Jones nearly three weeks ago, and they
have been here waiting for a long time, for the secre-
tary had neglected to inform Jones of the fact, and he
had come back to his home, and only returned here this
week. However, we have now reported and shall take
possession of our quarters in a fortnight. They are
now undergoing some alterations. We have appointed
a caterer, advanced each $120, and our stores will now
be soon laid in. The purser of our squadron to-day
paid us four months’ pay in advance, a very seasona-
ble assistance. My bills having been approved by
the government I am now paying them off, and must
see to getting all my materials packed up and sent to
the vessels, which are now lying at the navy yard,
Brooklyn.
This will employ me for a day or two. It is impos-
sible even now to tell you the time of sailing with any
certainty. My opinion is that we shall get off about
the first or before the 10th of December. It is certain
that the ships and stores will not be ready within
en al a
I oe ees ee
ET. 27.] TO JOHN F. TROWBRIDGE. 65
three weeks, and it would not surprise me, after what
I have seen, if we should be kept back longer than
you expect. Let us once get to sea and you will not
see or hear of so much dilatoriness from us.
November 10. I was prevented from closing my
letter last evening by the calling of Professor Henry,
who has just returned from a visit of nine months to
France and Great Britain. I have been very much
engaged all day, and sit down now for a little time,
hoping to finish a few letters which have been delayed
too long already.
December 5.
I am here yet, and am like to be for a month or so.
Commander Jones has been sick for two or three
weeks, and I am sorry to say there seems little proba-
bility that he will be much better ever. He has a bad
cough, and raises blood —is of a consumptive habit.
As he has been growing worse, he this morning left
for Philadelphia, on his way home. It is thus most
probable that we shall have a new commander, and a
considerable delay is unavoidable. I think the secre-
tary will be put right this winter by Congress.
Do let me know how Mrs. Trowbridge is. Please
send this note to my father, as it is a week or more
since I wrote. As soon as anything further is known
I will let you know.
Yours very truly, A. Gray.
July 18, 1838.
Dear Tro, —I find, by turning over some books
that have been lying on my table, four reviews which
certainly ought to have been sent you long ago, but
which have been forgotten in my great hurry for the
66 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1838,
last week or two. I will send them, with this, to-mor-
row; so look out for them. have not heard from
you since I wrote you a pretty long epistle.
On the 10th instant I tendered my resignation, or
rather requested to be left out in the new arrangement.
I supposed that it would have been accepted and no
words made; but instead Mr. Poinsett sends me word
to come on to Washington and have a talk with him,
to learn more definitely what their plans, ete., are,
and: thinks he will be able to remove my present dis-
satisfaction, and if not says I may have leave to with-
draw, but urges me not to insist upon resigning
without coming on to Washington. Dana and Cou-
thouy are also “avid to come on, Pickering being
already there. Though this request yoaches me in
such a form that I cannot claim my traveling ex-
penses, and probably shall not get them (which is just
like this nasty administration), yet I suppose I must
go on. The only difficulty is that I am afraid they
will ply me with such strong reasons as to prevail on
me to hold my situation, particularly as their new
plan has the advantage of leaving home all the block-
heads and taking the best fellows ; and moreover some
other very promising offers that I had have not been
brought to bear very directly; in fact I see that I
should get nothing satisfactory from them for a year
or two. I intend to set out for Washington to-mor-
row afternoon. I shall endeavor to make a very short
stay, and if I come to any determination there I will
try to let you know.
I have scarcely time to write another letter; so
please send this up to my father, who has not heard
from me in a good while.
Yours very truly, A. &.
RS TES Seglen 0 Ser sec 2 > PLUTO Te REY eR Ngee te
Pema TE Ra My eas me I
Ae abe Se jg ele secre atid eet a ee ere MN Ea Dee to Set
&T, 27.] TO MRS. TORREY. 67
TO HIS FATHER.
New York, August 6, 1838.
I have resigned my place in the exploring expedi-
tion! So that job is got along with. I have been
long in a state of uncertainty and perplexity about the
matter; but I believe that I have taken the right
course. I leave here to-morrow, and am obliged to
travel as fast as I can go to Detroit. I shall drop
this note on the road somewhere: probably at Utica.
I must get as near to Detroit as possible by Saturday
evening. I hope to return in the latter part of the
month; and intend to make you a visit on my way
back.
TO MRS. TORREY.
Baravia, GENESEE County, N. Y.
Friday morning, August 10, 1838.
My pear Mrs. Torrey, — The place from which
I write is a very pleasant and flourishing country vil-
lage ; the shire-town of Genesee County, forty-four
miles from Buffalo and about thirty-four from Roch-
ester. Here is your humble servant and correspond-
ent “laid up for repairs.” This is, you may say, my
first stopping-place since I left New York, from which
place I am distant 418 miles. But I may as well
begin at the beginning. I left home, as you remem-
ber, on Tuesday evening; breakfasted in Albany,
dined at Utica, took stage immediately for Buffalo.
We took our supper at Chittenango, which Dr. T.
will recollect as the Ultima Thule of our peregrinations
in the summer of 1836, and near which place we
found the Scolopendrium. Riding all night we were
at Auburn (a lovely village) by daybreak, and, pass-
68 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1838,
ing through Geneva, arrived at Canandaigua in time
for dinner. We reached Avon, on the Genesee
River, by sunset. Here is a famous sulphur spring ;
and people crowd the dirty hotels and boarding-houses
to drink nasty water. We reached the next consider-
able village, LeRoy, early in the evening ; but our next
stage, which brought us to this place, only ten miles,
was two and a half hours; so it was about midnight
when I arrived here, in a very pitiable plight, so
thoroughly exhausted I was obliged to leave the coach
and betake myself to rest. I was very unwilling to do
this so long as I was able to ride, as, had I continued
with the coach, I should have reached Buffalo early in
the morning and in time for the steamboat, in which
ease I could expect to reach Detroit ngs after-
noon, making only four days from New
I find myself much better this eae though
weak, and so unstable about the epigastrium that I
searcely dare take any food. I have been debating
with myself whether to go on directly to Buffalo to-
day, and take the steamboat of to-morrow morning
for Cleveland, or some other port in Ohio that I may
be able to reach by Saturday evening ; or to go from
this place directly to Niagara Falls, which I could
reach before evening, and remain there until Monday
morning. I have pretty nearly decided upon taking
the former course, as I shall save some time thereby.
But I dread a tedious ride in a stagecoach. In either
case I hope to have an opportunity of writing again
to-morrow evening.
I met Professor Bailey,! of West Point, on board
1 Jacob Whitman Bailey, 1808-1857; professor in the Military
Academy at West Point. One of the earliest students of American
Algz, and distinguished also for his microscopic researches in botany.
Ai aia tll eal tel ae ine
xT. 27.] TO MRS. TORREY. 69
the boat in which I came up the river. He had
called the evening previous, when both Dr. Torrey
and myself were out. He informed me that the pro-
fessorship of chemistry, etc., was now established by
law on the same footing with the other professor-
ships at West Point, and that the pay of all was in-
creased, so that it is now equivalent to that of a major
of cavalry; and more than this: he has been success-
ful in obtaining the place for himself. The stage is
nearly ready, and I must hasten. Did the doctor
meet Mr. Herrick? I have been thinking that, as
they do not know each other, the chance of their
meeting at the Astor House is but slight. I must
have given both him and yourself no little trouble
with my expedition trappings ; and if Herrick should
conclude to stay at home after all, which is not un-
likely, we shall lose our labor. However, tell Dr. T.
that I will do as much for him whenever he fits
out for an exploring expedition !
alan Outro, August 12, 1838, —
the 4th day of my oa eat
Ere this reaches you, a letter which I sent to the
post-office in Batavia, New York, will probably have
come to hand. The coach called for me before I
had finished, and I was obliged to take my portfolio
in my hand, and finish, seal, and address the letter in
the coach during a moment’s delay at the stage-
office. I arrived at Buffalo a few minutes after sun-
set; stopped at a hotel not very much smaller than
the Astor House, with accommodations scarcely infe-
rior. Learning that a boat was to leave for Detroit
and the intervening ports that evening at eight o’clock I
secured a passage. The internal organization of the
70 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. (1838,
Bunker Hill (and I believe the other boats on the
lake are not materially different) is rather odd, but
very well adapted to answer the purpose for which it is
intended. All the boats carry large quantities of
freight, and the whole space beneath the main deck is
occupied by merchandise, and by the boilers and fuel.
The deck is crowded with boxes, bales, and casks,
many of which are directed to places in the far West
yet so distant that they have hardly commenced their
journey. The after part is occupied chiefly by a sort
of cabin for deck passengers (equivalent to steerage
passengers), in which men, women, and children,
Dutch, Irish, Swiss, and Yankee, are promiscuously
jumbled. It is infinitely better, however, than the
steerage of packet-ships. The bow of the boat is
occupied by a different set of passengers, viz., eight or
ten horses, destined to draw sundry wagons which
now occupy a very conspicuous situation in front of
the promenade-deck. You would suppose there was
no room left for cabin passengers. On the contrary,
their accommodations, though by no means splendid,
are really very comfortable and complete. They
occupy what in a North River boat forms the prome-
nade-deck, which here extends nearly the whole length
of the vessel, has a ladies’ saloon entirely separate
from the gentlemen’s cabin, and three or four private
state-rooms for families. The gentlemen’s cabin is
fitted up with state-rooms with three berths in each,
and as there was only a moderate number of pas-
sengers I was so fortunate as to secure a whole state-
room to myself, where I enjoyed very comfortable
rest. When I rose, we were approaching the town of
Erie, Pennsylvania. I made an attempt, while we
were detained at the wharf, to get on shore to botanize ;
eas,
21 ahe ebepeaigadiemsinn penile tee"
Pa RT fe ey dS ey hs ee hy
[2 | EO a at ee ea
RT. 27.] TO MRS. TORREY. 71
but time would not permit, and I consoled myself
with the comfortable reflection that the dry and ster-
ile gravely banks of the lake were not likely to
afford me anything worth the trouble. We had a
strong head wind nearly all day, so that our progress
was not very rapid: the surface of the lake was cov-
‘ered with white-caps, and the boat pitched so as
sadly to disturb the equanimity of a great part of the
passengers. Indeed, although I was at no time sick,
I found it the most prudent course to pass a large
portion of the time in a recumbent position; and I
was heartily glad when, a little before sunset, we came
in sight of Cleveland. One or two passengers, des-
tined for Detroit, etc., landed to pass the Sabbath
here, among whom was Mr. Baldwin of Philadelphia,
the machinist, a member of Mr. Barnes’ church, a
very able and interesting man. We are both at the
same hotel, and it being much crowded we occupy
rooms which open into each other. I had a little
time before night-fall to walk through the city (which
will ultimately be a very pleasant place, and is now
flourishing, but like most Western towns in a very
unfinished state). The people show some signs of
civilization: ‘they eat ice-cream, which is sold in many
places. I tried the article and found it very good, —
nearly the same as what I might just at this moment
be enjoying at 30 MacDougal Street, were I now
there (as I wish I was), for it is more than probable
that the notes of the peripatetic vender are falling
upon your ear. Returning to the hotel I consulted
the city directory, and read an account of the early
settlement of this portion of the State, which is the
famous Western Reserve once owned by Connecticut
and settled mostly by citizens of that State, who
72 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. (1838,
brought with them the heretical doctrines and
measures which caused the expulsion of the Western
Reserve synod last year. But the evening is ad-
vancing, and I must break off; and hoping that the
approaching Sabbath may be profitable to both of us
and that you may be blessed with comfortable health
and strength to enjoy it, I bid you good-night.
Sunday evening. — I attended the First Presbyterian
Church this morning, expecting to hear Mr. Aikin,
the pastor, formerly of Utica; but, instead, we heard
President MeGuffey of Cincinnati College, who is
quite a celebrated man in this State.
Detroit, Tuesday noon. —I improve the first mo-
ment I could secure for the purpose to continue my
letter, hoping to fill the sheet in time for the next
mail.
On Monday (yesterday) morning I went botaniz-
ing, but found absolutely nothing. I kept near the
shore of the lake that I might see the first steamboat
that came in sight, and one was momently expected,
It did not arrive, however, until eleven o’clock, and
it was a little after noon before we were under way.
The wind was very fresh, and the billows of Lake Erie
would not have disgraced the Atlantic. It was,
however, in our favor, and we made good progress ;
but for about two hours we had to run in the trough
of the sea, so that the boat pitched and rolled sadly.
At sunset we arrived at Sandusky in Ohio. The
entrance to the bay is very beautiful. The lake is
studded with islands of various sizes, all covered with
trees, with here and there a house or a cultivated
field upon the larger ones. It was dark before we
left ; the water was still rough. I went into the cabin
and read until it was time to occupy my berth. I am
£T. 27.] TO MRS. TORREY. 73
not sure whether I told you that I had lost Bishop
Berkeley. I left it behind at Avon, where I was too
sick to think about it, but the driver promised me
faithfully, for value received, to look it up and send
it to the stage-office at Buffalo, where I may find it
on my return.
I was roused this morning just at daybreak. We
were just at Detroit. I established myself at a hotel,
got my breakfast, and sallied forth to survey the
town, which is larger than I supposed and most beau-
tifully situated. As soon as I thought your friend,
C. W. Whipple,! might be at his office I called to
pay my respects and deliver the doctor’s letter. He
was not in; but arrived in a few minutes. He is a
good-looking man, but I suspect rather older and a
good deal fatter than when you knewhim. His black
hair has a few silver threads mingled with it, but his
countenance is youthful and most thoroughly good-
natured. We had some conversation; then went to
see Dr. Pitcher, but he was not at home: thence to
Dr. Houghton’s house, which is entirely occupied as a
store-house for the stuff collected in the State survey.
It is astonishing what a prodigious quantity of labor
Dr. H. and his companions have done and what ex-
tensive collections they have made. Dr. H. is not
now at home but is expected to-morrow. We went
next to the State-House, but did not find Governor
Mason at his office. We looked through the building,
at their commencement for a State library, etc.,
where we met some of the dignitaries of the State.
1 Charles W. Whipple, died i in 1855. Was educated at West Point,
where probably he was a pup Dr. Torrey. He was never inthe
army, but studied law and alah in Detroit; was made Judge,
then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan. Ex-officio
regent of the State university.
74 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1838,
We ascended into the cupola which crowns the build-
ing, where we have a most beautiful view of the town
and region round about, the roads all diverging from
the centre, the noble river, which we could trace from
its commencement in Lake St. Clair. The people
are evidently very proud of the prospect. By the
way, I hear that the doctor’s protégé Dr. Fischer has
been here, and has gone on to Indiana to astonish
the people with his new fashion of blowing up rocks.
He has performed wonders in this way between this
place and New York. Whipple thinks they will have
some place for him next winter. The university
branch in this place has a vacation soon, and a public
examination is now going on; thither we next directed
our steps. I was introduced to the principal, Mr.
Fitch, to whom they give a salary of $1500 per annum.
I am informed that they employ no teachers or princi-
pals in any of the branches without first submitting
them to a thorough examination. We stayed until
the examination suspended for dinner, when I returned
to my room, and here you see me engaged. — Sunset.
After dinner Mr. Whipple called for me, and we went
to see Governor Mason at his house. We were intro-
duced to his sisters. . . . They live in a very good
house, quite elegantly furnished. We stayed only a
few minutes, all going to Whipple’s office, where a
meeting of the board of regents was appointed to be
held. It was known that there would be no quorum,
so they adjourned until Thursday, when Mr. Mundy is
expected back from New York, and a meeting of con-
sequence will be held. I was introduced to Chancel-
lor Farnsworth (who wrote me from the committee),
Major Kearsley, Judge Brooks (Whipple’s father-in-
law) and others. We all went to the examination,
A Si ycevig sed
+ » m4 4 > oak, Oe ee ees,
Fe ae ae EA he ED LER ne et ea Se OM Nera eee EPDM ET Ce ees |
:
etek Easy eee ald ale NS 1a as
Sri cea Ace eal ea alistg Tea valde webct
ET. 27.] TO MRS. TORREY. 16
which was, as usual, very stupid, and as it closed we
stopped in at the Catholic church — cathedral as it is
called — and saw the pictures, of which there are sev-
eral, some of them valuable. I was struck with a por-
trait of St. Peter, a stout Paddy-looking fellow with a
heavy black beard and mustachios, bare-footed, lug-
ging a pair of keys as large as he could grasp! We
expect nearly all hands to go to Ann Arbor on Fri-
day. All speak in glowing terms of the beauty of
the location for the university. I had a few minutes’
conversation with Whipple as to the plan of buildings,
ete., which satisfied me, but I wait for more informa-
tion before I attempt to write you about the matter.
I am, so far, pleased on the whole with the pros-
pects here, and think they are more promising than I
had at first supposed. I must break off again, as I
see Governor Mason has come, as he promised, to give
me a call. I had hoped to conclude and fill the sheet
ere this. I find that we had the fortune to come
through the lake in rather slow vessels. There are
several upon the lake which make the trip between
Buffalo and Detroit in twenty-six or twenty-seven
hours. These are large and really splendid boats,
carrying little freight, with richly furnished cabins.
I will try to arrange matters so as to come down in
one of these boats. To-morrow I hope to botanize a
little. . . . Mr. Whipple has also asked me to take a
ride up to the foot of St. Clair Lake. Now I have
nearly filled this very large sheet, and it is so dark [
can hardly see to finish. I shall look at the office to-
morrow for a letter from home.
I was asked to-day if I would stay here until
toward winter! I said I had rather on the whole be
excused !
76 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. ° [1838,
How are the girls? I must write to them specially
as soon as I can. Does the doctor go regularly to
market every morning? I hope to get away from
here early next week. Best remembrances to the
doctor. Adieu.
Derrorr, August 16, 1858.
My last letter left here, I suppose, in yesterday
morning’s boat, and will reach New York in four days.
Since its last date nothing whatever has transpired
here of any interest. Dr. Houghton arrived here yes-
terday morning, and as it was a rainy day I spent
near the whole time at his house. He is a very ener-
getic little fellow, and the account of his adventures in
exploring the unsettled portions of the State is very
interesting. He has slept in a house not more than a
dozen nights since the commencement of his surveys
this season. Mr. Whipple was somewhat unwell, and
I saw him but for a few minutes. am now going
round to his office to read the newspapers, as a mail
from New York must have arrived this morning.
Thursday evening. —TI spent the whole morning
with Mr. Whipple, who is really a downright clever
fellow in both the English and the Yankee senses of
the term. We compared notes fully about the uni-
versity and everything about the matter we could
think of. I obtained all the information he could
afford me about what they were doing, and con-
templated doing. I told him fully what I wished
to do, and in everything I believe we understood
each other and agreed wonderfully. This is im-
portant, because Whipple, although secretary of the
board, is not a member; yet he is the moving spirit of
the whole, and throws his whole energy into the work.
We owe the plan adopted as to the arrangement of
KT. 27.] TO MRS. TORREY. 77
buildings, ete., to him, and he carried it over consider-
able opposition. As I know it is just what will please
the doctor I mention it here. It is to have the profes-
sor’s houses entirely distinct from both the university
building and the dormitories of the students. The
grounds are nearly square, and are to be entirely
surrounded by an avenue. He proposes to have
a university building for lecture-rooms, library, lab-
oratory, ete., but to contain no students and no
families; to have two lateral buildings for students
and the tutors who have the immediate charge of
of them. Then to build professors’ houses on the
other side of the quadrangle, fronting the main build-
ing, each with about an acre of land for yard and
garden, by which the houses will not only be away
from the students, but at sufficient distance from each
other to render them retired and quiet. It is quite a
point with him that the professors shall have retired,
comfortable houses, so that they shall be subject to no
annoyance. By the way, Whipple informed me to-day
of something that had turned up quite unexpectedly.
Your old friend is about to be made a judge. The
appointment is expected to be made by the first of
next month. He is induced to accept this place be-
cause it will release him from the drudgery of pro-
fessional business and give him nearly six months of
leisure each year: which leisure he wishes to devote
to the interests of the university. This will make
him a member of the board of regents, of which the
judges are ex-officio members.
There was to be a meeting of the regents this even-
ing; but as Lieutenant-Governor Mundy had not
arrived there was no quorum. It seems that Mundy
has not managed well, and has allowed the plans to
78 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1838,
be delayed, and Davis, instead of sending the plan he
promised, is coming out here to see for himself. So
it is probable the plans will not all be in for a month
or so. Chancellor Farnsworth, the chairman of the
committee appointed to confer with me, called to-day,
ut I was out. I saw him this evening. Whipple had
repeated to him the substance of my conversation with
him, and I am desired to commit my plans to writing,
that he may embody it in his report at the next meet-
ing of the regents. This I am to do to-morrow (D. V.)
and to call on the chancellor to-morrow evening, with
Whipple, to talk over the matter. There is every rea-
son to believe that my propositions will be adopted.
I say nothing about the subject of salary, and avoid the
matter’s being broached until the rest is settled. I
shall leave it for them to propose. If they employ me
according to the plan I shall present, they can’t well
avoid offering to pay me handsomely. Prospective
appointments will be offered erelong (the coming fall
or early in winter) to Professor Henry, Professor Tor-
rey, and perhaps one or two others. Whipple expressed
a desire to attempt to secure Professor Douglass! for
the department of engineering, ete. Everything looks
well. The board are determined to prescribe a course
of studies and training which shall bring the school up
at once to the highest standard. Ido not think that
there exists another board of regents in the country
that will compare with this for energy and capability.
But I must break off, as I have a pretty important lee-
ture to prepare to-morrow. I am afraid that these long
1 David Bates Douglass, 1790-1849. He held the professorship of
natural philosophy and civil architecture in the University of New
York, and was afterward president of Kenyon College. He laid out
Greenwood Cemetery.
si dusieio-i 23h athe aaa
ET. 27.] TO MRS. TORREY. 79
letters, in which I set down everything that happens
from morning to night, will prove very tiresome to you;
but I have nothing else to write about. I am anxious
to get through, when [ will return as fast as steam-
boats and railroads will carry me.
Ann Arpor, August 20.
I snatch the few moments that are left me ere the
arrival of the stage that is to take me to Detroit to
complete my journal. I broke off, I think, late on
Thursday evening. On Friday I kept close to my
room until I had finished my letter to Chancellor Farns-
worth. I sallied out about 4 P.M., showed my letter
to Whipple, who approved it altogether and insisted
upon our calling on the governor and showing it to
him, in order that he might drive the committee a lit-
tle, if it should be necessary. The servant told us his
Excellency was not at home, but Whipple insisted
upon his looking into his private room, before he was
too confident. And there sure enough we found him.
Mason will be down erelong to take a wife. With
his approval, the letter was sent round to the chan-
cellor. Whipple, Pitcher, Houghton, and myself
spent the evening at the chancellor’s residence, a very
pretty place. Mrs. Farnsworth is very ladylike and
agreeable. Both the chancellor and his lady are from
Vermont, and are more than usually intelligent. In
the morning I started alone for Ann Arbor, — thirty
miles by railroad, and ten (the road not being com-
pleted) by stagecoach. I left Detroit at nine A. M.
(after going to the post office and being much disap-
pointed and grieved to find no letter, — please tell the
doctor so), and reached this place about noon. The
location is really delightful, and in a very few years it
80 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1838,
will be the prettiest possible place for a residence.
But I must reserve all particulars until I see you, if I
am allowed that pleasure; for although there is an at-
tempt to keep me here until after the arrival of Mr.
Davis, the architect, who is to be here in about ten days,
yet I am anxious, deeply anxious, to get back again. If
I wait his arrival I shall necessarily be detained here
until about the 10th of September. It would be desir-
able on many accounts, but — I don’t mean to stay.
The grounds for the university are very prettily
situated. The only possible fault I can imagine is
that they are too level. I have contrived a plan for
the arrangement of the grounds which gives satisfac-
tion to the members of the board here, and I think
will suit all. I brought letters to Chief Justice
Fletcher and Judge Wilkins. I spent the evening at
Dr. Denton’s, one of the regents, with several gentle-
men and ladies, married and unmarried. It having
been ascertained that I was unmarried, it was sug-
gested that I might possibly lose my heart; but I assure
you I was never in less danger. On Sunday attended
the Presbyterian church here. The pastor, an amiable
and very pious old man, was to preach his last sermon
to-day, the people having grown too wise for their
teachers. His morning discourse from the text,
“Christ commended his love to us in that while we
were yet sinners, ” ete.,—a very good sermon. In the
afternoon his farewell discourse was from Acts xx. 82,
and did honor to his heart. (The stage is ready.)
At twilight I in fancy transported myself to 30 Mac-
Dougal Street, where yourself, the doctor, and the
children were singing your evening hymns. I sang to
myself, as well as I could, all the hymns you were
singing, as I supposed, and wished myself with you.
ea
Le _
ET. 27.] TO MRS. TORREY. 81
This morning I have been botanizing, and have se-
cured for the doctor some specimens (clusters of
Esheol) of this goodly land. So be prepared for a
very favorable report. My pen is abominable, and
I have not another moment.
(Derxorr), 8.30, Monday evening, August 20.
A pleasant afternoon ride brought me back again
to this place, where my first care was to run to the
post office, nothing doubting that I should find a let-
ter; but I was wofully disappointed, and yet it is the
20th of the month! This is too bad. Do beseech the
doctor to write ; and especially if I should be detained
here until the fourth or fifth day of next month, as I
fear may be necessary, ask him to write every other
day until you hear from me again.
Tam glad to get back here again on one account.
The fare here, which is no great matter, I assure you,
is excellent compared with the hotel at Ann Arbor.
Indeed, I have not taken my place at a single dinner-
table for ten days without being reminded of Charles
Lamb and his memorable essay on Roast Pig. Here
he might riot in his favorite dish (which is in my
opinion wretched stuff), as one of the aforesaid juve-
nile quadrupeds, with a sprig of parsley in his mouth,
has been regularly presented to my eyes ever since I
left the State of New York. I am sadly bothered as
to the course I should take. I suppose I might be
able to leave here on Thursday of this week, and, stay-
ing over Sabbath at Oswego (making no stay at the
Falls), arrive at my father’s Tuesday evening, and at
New York on Friday morning. But before I could
reach New York, Mr. Davis, according to his appoint-
ment, would be at Detroit, and it is possible that a
82 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1838,
very few days would enable us to settle almost every-
thing about the arrangement of the grounds, the in-
ternal disposition of the university building, and the
plan of professors’ houses. I feel so strong a hope
that the doctor will be persuaded to take a professor-
ship that I have fixed upon the place for his house,
should my plan for the arrangement of the grounds
be adopted. And I am very desirous to return to you
with the plans in my hands, that I may submit them
to Dr. T., Prof. Henry, ete., in time to correct our
mistakes and suggest improvements. I see also that
if I leave now (although I have explained that I made
arrangements on leaving to be back by the first of
September, and that it is very necessary I should
return by that time), I should lose much of the in-
fluence I have acquired, and it is more than probable
that some error would be committed that we should
not see in time to rectify.
I am anxious that the proper means should be
adopted to supply the university and houses with
water in abundance, and at such a level that it can be
taken into the second story of the professors’ houses; I
think you may imagine one reason why I am so solicit-
ous about this matter. I was pleased to find on my
arrival here that this subject had already received
much attention, and there is a determination, on the
part of nearly all the regents I have conversed with,
to effect this object at whatever expense. Of the dif-
ferent plans in contemplation only one, I think, will
effectually answer the purpose. I have some hope
that the subject will be acted upon at the first meet-
ing after Mr. Davis arrives. Before that time I sus-
pect we shall not be able to secure the quorum neces-
sary for the transaction of this and other matters of
Sa eee
ET. 27.] TO HIS FATHER. 83
business. I hope also to secure an appropriation for
the library, and philosophical and chemical appa-
ratus. I feel pretty confident of accomplishing this
result by early autumn.
This is my last entire sheet of large paper, so you
may expect no more such tedious letters, unless I find
more like it. But if I do not hear from you, and that
speedily, I shall be very unhappy. Ask Dr. T. to
open any letters that may have come from Norfolk or
Washington, and apprise me of the contents, or take
any steps that become necessary. Adieu, my dear
friend. May our Heavenly Father bless and keep you
and yours is the sincere prayer of your attached,
A. Gray.
TO DR. TROWBRIDGE.
New York, October 1, 1838.
Dear Docror, — My arrangements are now so far
completed that I may say, with as much confidence as
we may speak of any event subject to ordinary con-
tingencies, that I hope to sail for London on the first
of next month. I am of course hard at work ; there is
no need to tell you that. The second part of “ Flora”
we hope, by hard work, to have published about the
20th inst. Yours truly,
A. GRay.
TO HIS FATHER.
New York, November 7, 1858.
I expect to sail to-morrow for Liverpool in the
packet-ship Pennsylvania, unless the weather should
prove unfavorable, which is not unlikely. The sailing
has already been postponed one day, much to my relief,
as, although I have not taken off my clothes for two
84 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1838.
nights, I am not yet quite ready. I hope to get every-
thing in order before I sleep. You can write to me
readily at any time.
I have worked very hard for a few weeks past, but I
shall now have a fine time to rest. I am in very good
health and spirits.
Mrs. Torrey has a fine boy a few weeks old, and is
doing well. Kind remembrances to all, in haste,
ood-by, A.
TO HIS MOTHER.
Sure Pennsyivania, 9th November, 1838.
My pear Mornuer, — These few lines will be sent
on shore in a few minutes by the pilot, and will soon
reach you. We shall be out of sight of land in less
than two hours more, with a fine breeze. The ship
has some motion, but I am not at all sick yet. We
have a fine ship and every prospect of a speedy voy-
age. I shall write at once from Liverpool. Good-by
again to all. Letters are called for. Good-by; re-
member me in your prayers.
our affectionate son, A. Gray.
iat iy pi ebay hs, ie oy
CHAPTER III.
FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE.
1838-1839.
Ir has been deemed expedient to give a somewhat
fuller narrative of Dr. Gray’s first visit to Europe
than of his subsequent ones. It was then that he
formed many personal acquaintances which ripened
into lifelong friendships, and received his first im-
pressions of scenes in nature and art which were to
become very familiar. His letters home took the form
of a very detailed journal, and it is in extracts from
this journal, supplemented by letters to other friends,
that this narrative consists.
JOURNAL.
Apveurnt Horen, Liverroot, 12 m., December 1, 1838.
We came up the Channel with a gentle breeze, and
anchored at half-past nine. At ten minutes past ten
I set my feet on the soil (or rather the stone) of Old
England. We were very fortunate in our ship, hay-
ing made our voyage in twenty-one days; while the
England (in which, you may remember, I once had in-
ieadad to sail), which left New York on the first of
November, came to anchor just ten minutes before us
(thirty days). The Garrick, which sailed on the
twenty-fifth of October, arrived here only on Saturday.
I must close this letter early in the morning. . . .
86 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1838,
Evening. — This short English day has been occu-
pied in good part in getting my luggage from the ship
and through the custom house. I sallied out a little
past nine in the morning; went first of all to a tailor
and ordered a coat (which is to be finished and de-
livered this evening); then dispatched my letters for
home by the United States; found our own ship just
going into dock (what docks they are! but as we
have always plenty of water we do not so much need
them in New York); arranged my luggage, and then
proceeded all hands to the custom house (a large
new building, rather imposing in appearance), where
I was detained until past three o’clock. I had fifteen
pounds of books to pay duty upon (fifteen shillings),
and nothing to complain of as to the manner of the
examination. . . . After dinner, visited the market,
which on Saturday evening is full and busy. It is
about twice the size of all the New York markets put
together, and a sight well worth seeing. J examined
everything scrutinizingly, but will not trouble you
with my observations. .. .
Sunday evening, December 2. — Went this morn-
ing to the chapel of the school for the blind. The
chanting and singing was very fine, and the sight an
interesting one. But to me the solemnity of the
chanted ; heard a tolerable sermon. In the evening
heard Dr. Raffles! His chapel is a gloomy structure
externally, but very neat and comfortable within. Dr.
R. preached the first of a series of discourses “ On the
most remarkable events in the early history of the
Israelites,” commencing with the bondage in Egypt,
1 Dr. Thomas Raffles; a distinguished Congregational clergyman
in Liverpool rae 1812 to 1863.
i: he eee a! TSE Se
ES peas eS ee ere ee
ET. 28.] JOURNAL. 87
which was the subject this evening; a very good
sermon, delivered in an impressive bat rather pom-
pous) manner. I am very anxious to get to Glasgow.
I have been living in society, for the last three weeks,
by no means to my taste, and most of them are still
here. It is not very pleasant to spend a Sabbath
alone at a hotel; but I suppose I must needs become
accustomed to it.
I was not fully aware, until yesterday, how much
cause we had for thankfulness at our safe arrival. The
gales which we encountered off the Irish coast have
caused a great number of shipwrecks, and it is feared
that many lives are lost. The England escaped most
narrowly.
Feather’s Inn, Chester, Monday evening. —I have,
my dear friend, the singular pleasure of writing and
addressing to you another leaf of my journal from a
city which was founded, according to the directory
which lies before me, “ in the year, 917 B. c., at which
time Jehosaphat and Ahab governed Israel and
Judah,” — the only walled and fortified city in Eng-
land of which the walls are yet in a state of preserva-
tion. The city was rebuilt by Julius Cesar, and was
an important Roman station; and there yet remain
many vestiges of Roman occupancy ; a hypocaust is
still to be seen under the hotel in which I am now
staying, — so it is said, for I have not yet seen it,
having arrived here after dark. But I expect to be
very much interested in this queer old town, for which
I owe thanks to Dr. Torrey, since it was his recom-
mendation that induced me to come here. I have
scampered about the streets this evening, bought some
lithographic views, studied the directory, and am pre-
pared for a busy day between Chester and Eaton
88 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1838,
Hall, should I live till to-morrow. But it is time I
should tell you briefly how I got here. This morning
soon after breakfast I walked out to the Botanic
Garden, delivered a note of introduction to Shep-
herd,! who received me rather politely, inquired after
Dr. Torrey, and showed me through the greenhouses.
The establishment is not where it was when Dr. T.
was here, but was removed further out of town, two
or three years ago. The garden occupies eleven acres ;
the site is well chosen; but being newly planted there
is of course little to see. The hothouses are very
well, but not extensive; the collections not particu-
larly interesting, except for some old plants that have
belonged to the establishment many years.
I took my cloak and umbrella (necessary articles
these !), and at 3 p. M. crossed the Mersey ina small un-
comfortable black steamboat, about as much inferior
to our Hoboken or Brooklyn ferry-boats as a Barne-
gat wood-schooner is to a packet-ship; and at Birk-
enhead took an outside seat for Chester (ten miles),
though it rained often and blew hard and cold; had
a good view of the country until about five miles from
Chester, when it grew dark; saw little villages, farm-
houses and cottages, cows, ete., all of which is much
more interesting to me than the smoky town of Liver-
pool. I have seen several little things that are new
tome. Let us see what I can recollect at the mo-
ment. Hedges of holly —those I am pleased with,
particularly when sheared and clipped. The prettiest
fence is a stone wall over-topped with a close hedge of
holly. Ivy in profusion covering great walls, trees,
etc., etc.,— we have nothing to compare with it; a
1 John Shepherd, b. 1764. For thirty-five years at the Liverpool
Botani
Re ar ee NN eT Ce Semi nNOS SLE YE OIG for 2 ae MN Sa RN la
PE ea eS me eee Se
AT.28.] JOURNAL. 89
flock of rooks,—very like crows, but larger; an
English stagecoach, —more of that anon; a coach and
four with postilions,— fine. But I must stop
P. S. — Liverpool again, Tuesday evening. — I have
accomplished a good day’s work to-day. Rose early,
made the circuit of the city of Chester on the walls
before breakfast, explored all about the town ; visited
the cathedral, walked to Eaton Hall, four miles and
back again; and then, finding there was no coach in
the morning until nine o’clock, took an evening coach,
and returned here ten P. M., much gratified, but a
little fatigued; so good-night. A. G
Giascow (WoopsinE Crescent), December 12, 1838.
I do not just now feel like a traveler. I have been
for almost a week, if not at home, yet the next thing
to it, in the truly hospitable mansion of our good
friends here, where I was received with that cor-
dial kindness which you, having experienced before
me, can well understand. Indeed I owe it chiefly to
you, who I assure you are not forgotten here. Ecce
signum. Both Sir William and Lady Hooker call me,
oftener than anything else, by the name of Dr.
Torrey. I answer to the name promptly, and am
much flattered to be your representative.
I have just stuck fast here, busy among the plants
from morning till night. I have been out of the house
but twice (except to church on Sunday) : once a walk
into town with Mr. Hooker, Senior (kind and amiable
old man, who insists upon taking me about, and show-
ing me whatever he showed you), and once with Sir
William to the Botanic Garden. I am anxious to im-
prove every moment here, where there is so much to
90 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1838,
be done and such ample means. Arnott has written,
inviting me to spend some time with him, which I
hope to do, visiting him from Edinburgh, there being
now no coach to Stirling or Kinross, from Glasgow
direct. . . . Sir William has given me many interest-
ing plants; we have settled many points of interest.
He had our new Nuttallia all figured for the Supple-
ment to “ Flora Borealis Americana” as a new genus,
and we have recently found it among plants from the
Snake country, which, with Douglas’s and other Cali-
fornian plants, he is publishing as a supplement to
“ Beechey’s Voyage.” I begged him to adopt the
name Nuttallia. He offered at once to publish it as of
Torrey and Gray, but I would not consent to this, and
I am sure you would agree with me. He has in dif-
ferent ways a great share of Nuttall’s so far, — Pick-
eringia for instance (which is a shrubby Baptisia),
Kentrophyta, ete. I shall be kept here ten days
longer, I think; no one else abroad is so rich in North
American botany or takes so much interest in it. I
am requested to study all his Sandwich Island plants
CGncluding my own parcel here), and make an article
for the “ Annals of Natural History” while here. I
think I will, if on looking over the parcels I think I
can do the subject justice. Can’t Knieskern! safely
make the excursion to Sante Fé in the coming spring ?
If he can, and will work hard, he will make $1000
clear of expenses | All the collectors make money.
Hooker is very anxious about it. I hope to find the
1 Peter D. Knieskern, M. D., 1798-1871. “ Botanized over
pine-barrens of New Jersey wit th utmost assiduity and skill, a simple-
which he Temeet, and none in zeal, simplicity, and love of science for
its own sake.’’?’ — A. G.
Soren Rad
ET. 28.] TO JOHN TORREY. 91
fifty copies of “ Flora” at Wiley & Putnam’s on reach-
ing London. I hope you have seen the partner at
New York on the subject, and that the “ Flora” will
be advertised fully in London before I reach there.
But I must close. Don’t fail to write very often. Sir
William and Lady Hooker and all the family, old,
young, and middle-aged, all send their most affection-
ate regards. I sit over against your portrait at din-
ner. It is very like you. .. .
TO JOHN TORREY.
Kinross, Wednesday evening, January 2, 1839.
My journal will inform you of all my movements
and doings, and also of the arrival of your welcome
letter by the Liverpool, while I remained at Sir
William’s. I am much distressed at the thought of
your anticipated engagements with Princeton, and
wish very much that you could have felt yourself
warranted in delaying until after the expected meet-
ing of the regents of the Michigan university, which
was to take place on the 10th of December. While
there is the slightest hope remaining I do not like
to relinquish the thought that we may hereafter work
together and live near each other. The fear that this
may not be the case has of late rendered me much
more anxious to obtain books and specimens, in order
that I may get on by myself in case I shall be com-
pelled to work alone. I need not attempt to tell
you how much I have enjoyed my visit to Hooker.
He is truly one of Nature’s noblemen. We worked
very hard for twenty days, and I would have been
glad to have stayed as much longer; for as yet I have
looked into few books. All the collections of Carex
placed in Boott’s hands have been returned to Hooker,
92 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
and I assisted him in arranging them and _ selecting
for his herbarium; in the course of which I have
obtained specimens of nearly all the Northern and
Oregonian ones, including one or two which have
come in recently, of which I have, when there were
duplicates, specimens also for you. The return num-
bers of those sent you were in many cases strangely
misplaced, and Boott has often been sadly confounded.
He has studied the genus very critically, hypercriti-
cally I may say; for he makes new species where we
should think there were too many already. We went
over Hooker’s Grasses in the same way, and I have
obtained numerous specimens and much useful infor-
mation which we shall presently require. On Christ-
mas day Joseph Hooker selected from a large Van
Dieman’s Land collection a suite of specimens as far
as they have been studied (to Calyciflorz), in which
there is in almost every instance a specimen for each
of us. .
In fouling over the recent collections from the
Snake country, and Douglas’s Californian, I recog-
nized a great portion of Nuttall’s, 1 but by no means
all. There was a single specimen of Kentrophyta in
excellent fruit; another of Astrophia, with neither
flower or fruit, collected long ago by Scouler and
mixed in with a species of Hosackia, to which genus
I am not sure that it is not nearly allied. Nuttall has
made too many Hosackias! The copy of “ Flora,”
with my notes, has gone round to London, so that I
cannot now communicate many curious things noted
in the second part. But how did we overlook the
1 Thomas Nuttall, 1784-1859 ; a great traveler and explorer. Came
to the United States in 1807. His writings are intimately connected
with the development of North American botany.
Ee SB De Sih bg ih es BO Ts a be rt ks
——
STL es on Rie ae RR ee Nae a eee Pe te ee
Se eer ya Rr re tyne me:
ET. 28.] TO JOHN TORREY. 93
Hosackia crassifolia twice over! Iam glad you have
the fruit of Chapmannia. I am a little afraid of Sty-
losanthes, of which there is a sort of monograph by
Vogel in the current volume of the “ Linnza;” but no
plurifoliate ones appear. Hooker has a curious new
genus of Chenopodiacez, from the Rocky Mountains,
figured for the “ Icones,” which he wishes to call
rayia! I am quite content with a Pig-weed; and
this is a very queer one.
At Glasgow, although my stay was prolonged to
twenty days, I was unable in that time to accomplish
all I wished with Hooker; and you may be sure we
lost no time, and that I could spare very little to visit
those objects of interest passing by. I did not omit,
however, as you may well suppose, to visit the High
Church (the old Cathedral), where I spent an inter-
esting hour, having contrived to go there alone that
I might enjoy myself in my own way. From this I
visited the new cemetery, which occupies the summit
of a hill adjacent to and overlooking the Cathedral.
On the very summit, raised on a tall column, is a co-
lossal figure of old John Knox in the attitude of
preaching, but ever and anon he seems to cast a scowl-
ing look down upon the Cathedral, as if he were in-
clined to make another attempt to demolish its walls.
And well he might, for if what I hear be true, I fancy
he would find the preaching now heard within its
walls almost as destitute of savor as when the shrine
of the Virgin Mary occupied its place in the chapel
which bears her name. The Cathedral is now under-
going some repairs; the seats, ete., for the church
which occupied the nave are taken away, so that the
fine nave presents nearly the original appearance.
But the crypt, said to be the finest in the kingdom,
94 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
is now closed and the key in the possession of an
architect at Edinburgh, so that I could not obtain
admittance. It was in this place, perchance you
may recollect, that the first meeting of Rob Roy with
Osbaldistone took place. My Scotch reminiscences
have been greatly revived to-day. To-day I have for
the first time seen and tasted — only tasted — the
two Scotch national dishes, viz., singed sheep’s head
and a haggis!
I had arranged to leave Glasgow on the morning
after Christmas, when Sir William insisted on my
staying at least over Wednesday to sit for my por-
trait! I contrived, however, to sit on Tuesday (Christ-
mas day), when I was done in about four hours, in the
same style as Sir William’s other botanical portraits,
and with so much success that it was unanimously
proclaimed to be a most striking likeness ; in fact the
most successful of all the artist’s attempts are said to
be this and that of Dr. Torrey, by whose side, it seems,
I am destined to be suspended ! — a compliment with
which I may well feel highly gratified. I believe it is
a capital likeness.
I dined out only once at Glasgow, at the house of
Mr. Davidson, a very rich don who has made all his
money in business here.
Late in the day I went into town to secure a place
in the early coach for Stirling and also a bed for the
night, as well as to select some little Christmas pres-
ents for the Misses Hooker. In the evening Sir Wil-
liam had several friends to dinner, and soon after the
breaking up of the evening party I took my leave of
these kind friends with no small regret ; my contem-
plated visit of ten days has been prolonged to just twice
that number. And now, as we have fairly bid adieu
ET, 28.] JOURNAL. 95
to the old year, I must also bid good-by to you for
the present, wishing you, not as the mere compliment
of the season, but with all my heart and soul, —a
happy New Year. The last New Year I well remem-
ber; several of its predecessors also I have had the
pleasure of spending with you. I pray God we may
be preserved and have a happy meeting before another
new year comes.
JOURNAL.
Kinross, Wednesday Evening, January 2, 1839.
I left Glasgow at seven o’clock A. M. on the morn-
ing of the 26th December, on the top of a stage-coach
bound for Stirling, so famous in song and story, —
distant about thirty miles from Glasgow. I arrived
about half past ten, in the midst of a heavy rain.
On leaving Stirling for Perth, I took an inside
place, as the storm still continued, but it shortly
cleared up, and I rode on the outside nearly the whole
journey. The only place worth noticing, or rather
which I have time to notice, through which we passed
was Dumblane, which is just one of those dirty Scotch
villages which defy description. If “Jessie the flower
of Dumblane” lived in one of these comfortless and
wretched hovels Ill warrant her charms are much
overpraised in the song. Here I saw for the first
time a genuine ruin; that of the large and once im-
portant Cathedral, founded in 1142. During the
short-lived establishment of Episcopacy in Scotland I
think that the good Leighton was for a time rector
of Dumblane. Just beyond Dumblane we passed the
field of Sheriff-muir, and beyond this, at the little
village of Ardoch, I passed, without being aware at
the time, the finest and most entire Roman camp in
96 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
Britain ; we passed some fine country-seats on the
road; had a long way the distant Grampian Hills,
on which “my father fed his flocks,” in full view;
and somewhat late in a fine moonlight evening I ar-
rived at Perth. As the stage which passed Arlary
left Perth at nine o’clock in the morning, and I could
not afford to spend a day here, I of course saw little
of this famous town... . A pleasant ride brought
me to Arlary at eleven o’clock A. M., and Arnott was
by the roadside awaiting my arrival. I was sorry to
learn that he is not a general favorite among his
brother botanists ; but although most of them possess
greater advantages, he has but one superior in Great
Britain, and in most departments very few equals.
He received me with great kindness, and I have spent
a few days with him very pleasantly indeed. He is a
hearty, good fellow, and improves vastly on acquain-
tance. I was exceedingly pleased with Mrs. Arnott,
who is exceedingly amiable and lively. On Sunday it
stormed terribly, so that we were unable to leave the
house. On Tuesday I dined with Mr. and Mrs.
Arnott, Mr. Wemyss, the clergyman of the parish, an-
other clergyman, etc., at Mr. Barclay’s, Arnott’s
father-in-law, about six miles from Arlary. About
one o'clock to-day, taking leave of Mrs. A. I rode
with Arnott to Kinross, and leaving Arnott to write
some letters at the hotel in the mean time, I took a
boat to Loch Leven Castle, — the prison of the lovely
and ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots... .
On returning to the hotel I found that Arnott had
picked up the dominie of his parish, and had our din-
ner in readiness. The expected coach arrived soon
after, but was crowded. I am consequently obliged to
wait for the mail which passes about two o’clock in the
all os ae
ea eh sen Rat
See Sh A ee
KT. 28.] JOURNAL. 97
morning, and by which, if I am so fortunate as to
obtain a seat, I may expect to reach Edinburgh be-
fore daybreak.
WATERLOO — EpINBURGH,
vening, January 3, 1839.
This is my first day in Auld Reekie ; and my first
business, on sitting down by my quiet and comfortable
fireside, shall be to give you a brief account of this
day’s work. After taking a reasonable modicum of
tea I spent the whole of last evening at Kinross in
writing, until two o’clock, at which hour the mail-
coach punctually made its appearance; and there was
fortunately room inside. We drew up at the post
office at Edinburgh at half past six in the morning
(vaining as usual). I took possession of a very com-
fortable, even elegant room, very different from the
six feet by nine bedrooms of most hotels. This is the
finest hotel I have yet seen; the Adelphi at Liverpool
is not to be mentioned in comparison. I threw myself
on the bed and slept for an hour or two. On waking
I drew up the curtains of my windows, and had all at
once a magnificent view of this picturesque city, which
startled me. From descriptions and a few prints I
have somewhere seen I find I had formed a very cor-
rect view of this city, as far as it went. It is the finest
town I have seen or expect soon to see. It owes much
of its beauty to its peculiar site, and to the manner in
which the old town acts as a foil to the new. Imme-
diately after breakfast I sallied forth, walked down the
street, uncertain which of my letters of introduction I
should first attempt to deliver; decided for Greville ;1
Robe . Greville, M 1794-1866; author of Scottish Cryp-
togamic Flora Flora eae and Alge Britannice.
98 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
so I crossed the North Bridge, which is thrown not
over a river but over a part of the town, into the old
town, crossed High Street, passed the huge block
of buildings occupied by the university, plain and
heavy without, but the spacious court within very im-
posing; and a few minutes’ walk brought me to Dr.
Greville’s residence, which looks in front upon a large
public square, and on the other the green fields
extend up almost to the house, —a complete rus in
urbe. Dr. Greville received me very kindly, and
seemed well pleased to receive Dr. Torrey’s letter ;
made many affectionate inquiries, and urged me to
stay with him while I remained in town. I was pre-
determined to decline all invitations of this kind in
Edinburgh, but found I could give no reasons for
doing so that would not seem strange. Dr. Gre-
ville said he well knew I should be obliged to stay
either with him or Dr. Graham,! who would never
let me off ; so, as I thought Dr. Greville would prove
the most useful and edifying acquaintance, I ac-
cepted his invitation and promised to send my lug-
gage sometime to-morrow. We set out to call on
Professor Graham ; walked over into the New Town,
the squares, rows, terraces, and crescents all very fine ;
called at Professor G.’s, who was as usual out; left
Dr. Torrey’s letter and my own card. Left to myself
again, after promising to meet Dr. Greville at dinner
at the house of a friend of his, I directed my steps to
the Castle, which, crowning a high cliff much like that
of Stirling, nearly or quite perpendicular except on
one side, is visible from almost every part of the
city. . . . Walked far away to Inverleith Terrace to
rt Graham, a D., 1786-1845; professor of botany in the
enn of Edinburg’
ET. 28.] JOURNAL. 99
leave my letters for Mr. Nicoll;! returned, dressed for
dinner, passed an agreeable humdrum evening at a
small family party; returned to the hotel, sead two
American newspapers (little news), found a good fire
in my room, and sat down to make these desultory
notes. As to all the rest of what I have seen I may
have more to say another day. Good-night!
Sr. GeoRGE’s SquaRE, 12 m., January 4, 1839.
Before I retire to rest I must hastily and very
briefly record my doings to-day, just by way of keep-
ing in good habits; as Iam engaged to breakfast at
an early hour with Dr. Graham I must soon go to
bed. Rose at half past nine (recollect I had not slept
the previous night), a snowstorm. Sight-seeing
being out of the question, went to the university, just
in time to hear the latter part of Dr. Hope’s lecture
(Light Carburetted Hydrogen and Safety Lamp);
fine-studied and rather formal manner, — did not
wear his gown or ruffles at the wrist! Experiments
few but rather neat. In cutting off flame with wire
gauze he varied the experiment in a way I had not
previously seen, viz., by throwing a jet of ether upon
the gauze, which burnt below but did not kindle
above, —a very pretty effect. He looks to be not
above sixty-five, although he must be ten years over
that age. Next heard Professor Forbes,” a handsome
man of very elegant appearance ; a most elegant and
lucid lecturer ; delivered my note of introduction from
Professor Silliman; received me very kindly, but I
1 William Nicoll. Invented section-cutting of recent and fossil
woods in 1827.
2 James Forbes, 1809-1861; professor of natural philosophy in the
University of Edinburgh.
100 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [18-29,
was obliged to leave at once to hear a lecture from
Professor Wilson, the famous Christopher North, one
of the most extraordinary men living, very eccentric,
a gifted genius, and a man of the most wonderful ver-
satility of powers. The subject to-day was the Asso-
ciation of Ideas. The lecture was rather striking,
original in manner, with a few flights of that peculiar
eloquence which you would expect from Christopher
North. Next heard Dr. Monro (Anatomy); very
prosy ; the class behaved shockingly, even for medical
students! Lastly I heard Professor Jameson,’ a
stiff, ungainly, forbidding-looking man, who gave us
the most desperately dull, doleful lecture 1 ever heard.
It was just like a copious table of contents to a book,
— just about as interesting as reading a table of con-
tents for an hour would be; I may add just as in-
structive! Dined in a quiet way with Dr. Pardie, a
young physician to whom I brought a letter from
James Hogg; his wife is a cousin of James; went
from the table to the college to hear a botanical lecture
from Professor Graham ; returned to tea and spent the
evening. I found I had quite unexpectedly met with
prvbiable acquaintance, as Dr. and Mrs. Pardie were
active and ardent Christians, of the Baptist persua-
sion, and people of a very delightful spirit. They
were well acquainted with Mr. Cheever of Salem, who
spent some time in Edinburgh previous to his journey
to Palestine. I passed a very pleasant evening, and
promised to call on them again before leaving town.
Returned in the midst of a violent snowstorm to Dr.
Greville’s, where I am now domesticated, having sent
up my baggage from the hotel.
Robert Jameson, 1774-1854; professor of natural history in the
University of Edinburgh.
POLAT, RD CO aN OC SS
ET. 28.] JOURNAL. 101
Saturday evening. — Rose this morning at half past
seven; and at half past eight, according to engage-
ment, went over to the other side of the town with Dr.
Greville, to breakfast with Dr. Graham, and then visit
the Botanical Garden (deep snow). We looked about
the garden, or rather the greenhouses, until afternoon ;
much gratified with the splendid collections ; but the
Sabbath draws nigh, and I cannot go on to tell you
more about it now. Called on Mr. Nicoll on my re-
turn; made a provisional engagement to meet him at
breakfast on Monday and examine his sections of
woods. Ran about the streets; left a note at the
house of Arnott’s brother, to make arrangements (as
we have done) for visiting Parliament House, ete., on
Monday; returned to Greville’s, dressed for dinner,
and looked over books, ete., until Professor Graham
and Dr. Balfour! secretary of the Botanical Society,
arrived ; dined ; passed a pleasant evening; after family
worship had a little conversation with Dr. Greville,
retired to my room, and now, as I am at the bottom
of the page and my watch says ten minutes to twelve,
—tobed. Adieu,
Monday evening. — Two days have passed since I
have taken up my pen to communicate to you my
little diary. I still remain domesticated at Dr. Gre-
ville’s, where I am received with the greatest kindness,
and am as happy as I can be awayfrom home. I like
Dr. G. and family much, there is so much true Chris-
- tian feeling and simplicity. Dr. G. seems much to
regret that he was unable to meet Dr. Torrey in Edin-
burgh. Yesterday was the first Sabbath of the new
year, and I heard two sermons adapted to the season ;
1 John Hutton Balfour, M. D., 1808-1885; professor of botany in
Glasgow, and afterwards in the University of Edinburgh.
102 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
one in the morning, in an Episcopal chapel (the one
to which this family belong) from Mr. Drummond,
the text being the latter clause of Hebrews viii. 13 ;
a most excellent, faithful, and godly sermon. In the
afternoon I occupied a seat Dr. Greville was so kind
as to secure for me in the Old Greyfriars (Scotch)
Church, which is so crowded that without this precau-
tion you can hardly expect to get into the church
when Dr. Guthrie preaches. He is the most striking
preacher I ever heard. I could not help comparing
him with Whitfield. The text was the first clause of
Eccles. ii. 11. I dare not attempt to give you any
idea of the discourse. I wish you‘could have heard
it. In this church-yard the remains of the early mar-
tyrs of Scotland repose, not far from the Grass-
market, where they were mostly offered up. I stood
upon the very spot to-day where they suffered. We
had a terrible wind all last night, which, with the rain,
carried off nearly all the snow. The morning was so
stormy that I could not fulfill my conditional engage-
ment to breakfast with Mr. Nicoll and look at his
curiosities. So I repaired to the university at ten;
heard Sir Charles Bell,! the professor of surgery, — a
decent lecturer, but not remarkable. At eleven I
heard the celebrated Dr. Chalmers, the professor of
divinity. The old man has a heavy, strongly-marked
Scotch countenance, which, however, brightens very
much when he is engaged in his discourse. His man-
ner is rather inelegant and his dialect broad Scotch
and peculiar. But the matter is so rich that he
carries all before him. Every word is full of thought,
1 Sir Charles Bell, 1774-1842; avery distinguished surgeon; author
of Anatomy of Expression and pois ow celebrated works. He accepted
the chair of surgery at Edinburg’
SE Ee ee ee ae
ET, 28.] JOURNAL. 103
and he occasionally rose to a very powerful eloquence.
He is much beloved, and is considered by all parties,
perhaps, as the strong man of Scotland. The subject
of his lecture this morning was the advantage (and
the abuse) of Scripture criticism. It was a treat to
hear him. He paid a high compliment, in the course
of his remarks, to our Moses Stuart.
The weather growing by this time more tolerable, |
walked about town, — visited the Parliament House,
the Library of the Writers to the Signet; passed
through the Grassmarket, returned here, looked at
plants with Dr. Greville; dined; received a parcel
from Sir William Hooker containing a few plants
I had accidentally left (a few he had given me). A
very kind letter informed me that he would be in
London about the same time with me (which I had
in part expected, and about which hangs a tale I
must write soon), and also a fine parcel of letters of
introduction for me, both to persons on the way to
London, and also on the Continent, —to Delessert,
De Candolle, Martius, Endlicher, Humboldt, ete.
Truly he is a kind man; he has laid me under lasting
obligations. He asks me to say to Dr. Torrey that
his Grace of Bedford is anxious to receive also the
Hudsonia ericoides from New Jersey, and he will be
greatly obliged if he will send a box of it to Woburn
early in the spring. Attended this evening a meet-
ing of the Royal Society, Dr. Abercrombie’ (author
of “Intellectual Powers,” etc.) in the chair. Dr. A.
is at the head of the profession here; is greatly es-
teemed, and is a most exemplary Christian. An inter-
esting paper was read by Professor Forbes, of whom
1 John ee M. D., 1781-1844; celebrated Scotch phy-
sician and au
104 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
I have spoken before; a man whom from his very
youthful appearance you could never have imagined as
the successful candidate to the professor’s chair against
Dr. Brewster. But Dr. Brewster is no favorite in
Edinburgh. Other distinguished men were there. I
was introduced to Professor Christison,! had some
pleasant conversation ; promised, if practicable, to
hear him lecture to-morrow at nine A. M., and look at
his museum of materia medica. We ad tea after
the adjournment, according to the usual custom here,
which is a very pleasant one. I only count upon two
days more in Edinburgh, and have yet much to do.
I am anxious to reach London, where I hope there are.
letters for me. Good-night. May God bless you all,
and keep you.
Metross, January 10, 1898, Thursday evening.
On the 8th inst., Tuesday, I went immediately
after breakfast to the university and heard Professor
Cliristison’s lecture, Materia Medica. He is an ex-
cellent lecturer. I spent a half hour with him, in
looking over his cabinet of preparations, which con-
tains a large number of fruits, ete., preserved in
strong brine instead of spirits. I acquired some use-
ful information concerning the best way to close the
jars, for which he has some very neat plans. Then
I heard Professor Forbes again; elegant as usual,
but he did not succeed very well in his experiments.
The next hour I hada rich treat. I heard another
lecture from Professor Wilson, on the Association of
Ideas, which on this occasion he noticed in a more
practical view than before. He recited, in his glow-
1 Sir Robert Christison, 1798-1882; professor of materia medica
in the University of Edinburgh,
GNI Nei ok
sialic
HT, 28.] JOURNAL. 105
ing manner, several passages from Virgil, and a long
one from Milton, and gave a long and most eloquent
analytic commentary upon each, far exceeding any-
thing of the kind I ever heard before. After visiting
the library of the university — a most magnificent
room — I set out for Holyrood House. . . . I bought
one or two poor prints, a cast of the seal-ring of
Mary, plucked a bit of holly from a bush standing
by the place by the altar before which Mary was
married to Bothwell, and reluctantly took my leave.
There was yet some time remaining, so I set out to
climb Arthur’s Seat, which rises abruptly behind Salis-
bury Crags to the height of eight or nine hundred
feet. I attained my wish, and had a beautiful view,
from the summit, of the city beneath my feet, and
the wide country around. I descended more rapidly
than I went up, though at some risk to my neck. Re-
turned to Dr. Greville’s, where I dined and spent all
the evening.
I had engaged yesterday to breakfast with Dr. Gra-
ham. I therefore set off early for that purpose ; after-
ward accompanied him to the Garden, examined the
grounds, etc., passed some time in the splendid palm-
house. I spent some portion of the morning also with
Mr. Nicoll, examining with the microscope his beauti-
ful collection of recent and fossil wood in thin slices ;
learned how to prepare them. Then arranged my
affairs to leave Edinburgh in the morning. In the
evening Dr. Greville and myself dined with Mr. Wil-
son (gentleman naturalist), the brother of the gifted
Professor Wilson ; himself almost equally gifted, but
with a more healthy tone of mind. He interested us
so much that our stay was prolonged until nearly the
“wee short hour ayont the twal,” when we parted,
106 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
after a pressing invitation to visit him at his country
residence in case I ever visited Scotland at a more
pleasant season. Taking leave of my kind friends the
Grevilles, I was early this morning on my way to Mel-
rose. I have been received with the utmost kindness,
not only by this agreeable and most excellent family,
but among all the acquaintance I have made in Ed-
inburgh. I had purchased for you a collection of
hymns, etc., edited by Dr. Greville and his pastor, Mr.
Drummond, with which I was very much pleased, and
doubt not you would like them much. But Dr. Gre-
ville saw it, and afterwards insisted on sending a much
handsomer copy to Dr. Torrey, which was accord-
ingly placed in my hands for him. Melrose is about
thirty-six miles from Edinburgh, on one of the routes
to Newcastle. We came upon the Tweed among a
rugged range of hills, at first a very small stream;
followed it along the sinuous valley for a long way,
until it became a pretty considerable river, for Great
Britain ; at length the valley grew wider, softer, and in
the proper season, doubtless very beautiful. A smaller
stream joined it at some distance before us, and as
its opening vale came into view, the driver — I beg his
pardon, coachman — pointed with his whip to the op-
posite side and said, “ Abbotsford ;” and true enough
the turrets of this quaint castellated house were distin-
guishable, in the midst of a grove mostly of Scott’s
own planting, near the banks of the Yarrow. We
soon after crossed the Tweed, at the place where
the White Lady frightened the sacristan in “ The
Monastery ;” the scene of which, you know, was laid
at Melrose and in the neighborhood. The fine old
ruin of Melrose Abbey now came into view, half
surrounded by a dirty little Scotch village. Here I
;
:
ct
AT. 28.] JOURNAL. 107
abandoned the coach until to-morrow, secured a gig,
and was soon on my way to Abbotsford. ... I walked
back from Abbotsford, noticing more particularly the
beauty of the valley, and the fine Eildon Hills which
rise behind Melrose, from whose summit, it is said, a
very beautiful prospect may be obtained. I then
spent the remainder of the afternoon about Melrose
Abbey, the most beautiful ruin I have ever seen or
expect to see; more beautiful than I had imagined,
and just in that state of dilapidation in which it ap-
pears to the greatest advantage as a ruin, for were it
entire it would be indeed magnificent. I feel now as
if I should never care to see another ruin of the kind ;
and therefore I shall not visit Dryburgh Abbey (where
Scott is buried), as I had intended ; although I suppose
we shall pass by nearly in sight of it to-morrow. I
wish I could bring you some sketch or print that
would give you some idea of Melrose, but I fear this
is impossible. The exquisite carvings in stone, espe-
cially, cannot be appreciated until they are seen. It is
said (I forget the lines) that Melrose should be seen
by moonlight, and this I can well imagine; but this
evening there is neither moonlight nor starlight.
DuruHamM, Saturday evening, January 12, 1839.
Soon leaving the Tweed we crossed a range of
hills, and came down into the fertile Teviotdale, so
famous in border story. Again leaving this valley,
we wound our way up the Jedwater, a tributary of
the Teviot, rising high up in the Cheviot Hills, just
on the line between England and Scotland. We
passed Jedburgh, a Scotch village of considerable size
and importance, dirty and comfortless of course. Here
is an old abbey, which I should have been loth to
108 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. (1839,
pass by had I not seen Melrose; thence we ascended
the Jed for many a weary mile, until we reached its
source high among the Cheviot Hills. Our course
was Literally “over the mountain and over the moor,”
or after a tedious ascent we crossed the boundary
line at an elevation of fifteen hundred feet above the
level of the sea. We were by this time thoroughly
drenched with mist and rain; the wind forbidding the
use of our umbrellas. We immediately commenced
our descent, and just at dusk stopped for a hasty din-
ner at Otterbourne, so famous in the history of the bor-
der warfare as the place of the memorable Chevy Chase.
It was too dark to see the cross erected to mark the
spot where Percy fell. Pass we over the ride from
this to Newcastle, as we saw nothing, though we passed
near some places of interest, —Chillingham, the resi-
dence of the Earl of Tankerville, for example, — and
arrived at Newcastle about nine o’clock in the even-
ing. In the morning I delivered notes of introduc-
tion from Hooker and Greville to George Wailes, Esq.,
one of the active members of the Newcastle Natural
History Society ; visited their fine building and really
splendid museum, especially rich in fossil remains
and also in the British birds; made arrangements
for correspondence and exchange with the Michi-
gan State Survey; was introduced to a botanist
or two; visited the castle built by Robert, brother of
William the Conqueror, if I recollect aright, which
has stood firmly for many a year, and may stand for
centuries more, or as long as the world standeth. . . .
Arrived at Durham at eight in the evening. I called
almost immediately upon Professor Johnston! and
1 James T. W. Johnston, 1796-1865; agricultural chemist; pro-
fessor at Durham. Lectured in the United States.
Bisa tea ce
Oe Oa ELSES ER 5a areal ea
ET. 28.) JOURNAL. 109
delivered Doctor Torrey’s letter and parcel, when we
recognized each other as fellow-passengers in the coach
from Neweastle, he being a Scotch gentleman, — look-
ing very like my friend Couthouy of the exploring
expedition, — whom I was far from imagining would
prove to be the professor in the Durham Univer-
sity; took my tea and spent the greater part of
the evening with him. He told me he was just about
to send a parcel to Doctor Torrey by a friend going
next week to America. I must embrace this oppor-
tunity to send my letters, now forming a somewhat
bulky parcel. .
Spent Mieticy with Professor Johnston in his lab-
oratory, witnessing the progress of some analyses of
resins, ete., in which he is now much engaged ; also went
through the old castle, now used for the university ;
dined with Professor Johnston at four clock; returned
to the hotel. . . . Took my tea with him, and he accom-
panied me at half past nine to the coach office, whence
I took coach for Leeds. I have little to say about
Durham University, promising as it is in some respects,
because they have adopted the monkish system of Ox-
ford and Cambridge to the fullest extent; the pro-
fessors and tutors except Johnston are all clergy-
men; the curriculum includes nothing but classies, a
little mathematics, and less logic; their professor of
natural philosophy never leebires: ; they give their
professor of chemistry, mineralogy, and geolog
just fifty pounds a year (nothing for his experiments),
and require no one to attend his lectures.
But now I must record some painful news, just
learned to-day, which has shocked me exceedingly,
but which you will have heard of long ere this reaches
you; viz.. the loss of the noble ship Pennsylvania,
110 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. (1839,
the death of Captain Smith, the first and second mate,
and some of the passengers, I hardly yet know how
many. I had grown much attached to this ship, and
thought highly of its officers, who had been kind to
re
Lonpon, January 17, 1839, Thursday evening.
This is dated at this modern Babylon, where I arrived
about nine o’clock last evening. I stopped at the
White Boar, Coventry Street, Piccadilly ; ; had a ia
night’s sleep; rose early this morning, and
breakfasted and was on my way to Dr. Boott’s! (24
Gower Street) before ten o’clock. I found Doctor B.
at home ; was kindly received and was introduced to his
wife, mother, children, and a brother from Boston who
is now with him; spent an hour or two with him;
heard that Hooker was in town. Though not a pub-
lie day went to the British Museum; inquired for
Brown (Mr. Brown, for he does not like to be called
Dr.), and was so fortunate as to find not only the man
himself I was so anxious to set my eyes on, but also
Hooker, Joseph Hooker, Bennett,? and Dr. Richard-
son.? Passed an hour or two. Brown invited Hooker
and me to breakfast with him on Saturday morning ;
went out with Hooker ; first to the Linnean Society ;
introduced to David Don,‘ a stout Scotchman, and
1 Francis Boott, 1792-1863. Born in Boston, United States. Early
removed to London, where he studied and practiced medicine a few
years. ‘‘ ey botanist, and in his later life devoted to the study of
Carices” [A. G.
2 John Joseph 1 Bennett, 1801-1876; keeper of the herbarium of
the British M ‘*One of the most learned and modest
men” [A. G.].
3 Sir John Richardson, M. D., 1787-1865. ‘‘ The well-known Are-
tie Paes cons zodlogist, and tutiniat ” TA. G.
David Don, 1795-1856; librarian of the Linnean Society ; pro-
je of botany in King’s College, London.
CL le
Pe ee ee ee ll
ae elie a
=
ET, £8.) JOURNAL. 111
looked through the rooms of the society. Don offered
to give me every possible facility in my pursuits, but
of course I said nothing to him about Pursh’s ! herba-
rium at Lambert’s, of which he was formerly curator ;
for since he married Lambert’s housekeeper, or cook,
I forget which, Lambert will not allow him to come
into the house. From here Hooker took me, — stop-
ping by the way at Philip’s, one of the most eminent
painters, whose gallery we saw,—to the house of
Lambert? himself, the queerest old mortal I ever set
eyes on. But Carey’s description of the man was so
accurate that I should have known him anywhere. I[
was of course invited to breakfast with him any morn-
ing at nine; he showed us his Cacti stuffed with plas-
ter of paris, among others a very curious one called
muff-cactus, which really looks just like a lady’s muff
and is not much smaller. Lambert’s specimens are
the only ones known, and he gave for them something
like a hundred guineas, — the old goose! A woman has
the care of his collections in place of Don. She stuffs
the cacti and seems quite as enthusiastic as old Lam-
bert himself. We went next to the Horticultural
Society’s rooms in Regent Street in hopes to find Mr.
Bentham ; but instead we met Lindley, who received
us very politely; he asked me to send him my address
the moment I was settled in lodgings. . . . Here I
parted from Hooker for the present, declining an invi-
tation to join him at the dinner of the Royal Society’s
Club, for which I was afterwards almost sorry, as I
should have met there Hallam, the historian, and
1 Frederic Pursh, 1774-1820. Emigrated to America, 1799. Trav-
— and collected much; settled later in Montreal, where he died.
2 Aylmer Bourke Lambert, 1762-1842; author of the Genus Pinus
and the Genus Cinchona. Owned a very large herbarium comprising
plants of Pursh, who published under his liberal patronage.
112 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
some other distinguished men, as also Brown, whose
peculiar dry wit is said to have abounded greatly.
Hooker seems as anxious to serve me and aid me here
in London as at his own home. He is the most noble
man I ever knew. Thence I took a cab and drove
into the City, through Temple Bar, down Fleet Street;
drove round St. Paul’s, to the office of Baring Bro-
thers & Company, who are to be my bankers and to
whom my letters here may now be addressed ; thence
to the office of Wiley & Putnam in Paternoster Row ;
did not see Mr. Wiley, but learned that the copies of
our “ Flora” had not arrived, which I am very sorry
for, and don’t know how to account for it; called at C.
Rich’s, but found no letters, which was a sad disap-
pointment indeed; thence back here to dinner. At
eight o'clock went to $ t House to attend a meet-
ing of the Royal Society, where again I met Hooker
and Dr. Richardson. Brown was also present, for the
first time in eight years. Royle} was in the chair, at
which the botanists present sneered much, as they evi-
dently think him too small a man to fill the seat occu-
pied by Newton, ete. I don’t know how he happened
to be one of the vice-presidents. I was introduced to
him after the meeting, as also to many others. J. E.
Gray, ? who was very polite, gave me and Joseph
Hooker tickets for Faraday’s lecture of to-morrow
evening, invited me to dine with him to-morrow, ete.
I was glad to make the acquaintance of Mr. Criff?
1 John Forbes Royle, M. D.; a surgeon in the East India Company.
Wrote on the botany of the Himalaya.
* John Edward Gray, 1800-1875 ; atin ot the zodlogical collee-
tions of the British Museum for many years. ‘‘Of persistent ardor,
indomitable energy, and great practical power” [A. G.].
3 William Clift, I-18; curator of the Hunterian Museum of
the Royal College of Surgeo:
2
ET. 28.] JOURNAL. 113
(or Clift) the curator of the Hunterian Museum, the
man who exposed Sir Edward Howe, who invited us
to come and see that museum. While we were con-
versing, a gentleman, whom Hooker did not at
the time recognize, addressed us, and after some
conversation with me asked me if I would like to
be introduced to Sir Astley Cooper, and see his mu-
seum. I answered of course that it would be a great
gratification, when he introduced himself as Bransby
Cooper, the nephew of Sir Astley,— of whom I have
heard formerly not a little,—gave me his address,
and Joseph Hooker and myself are to call on him on
Monday next. I was introduced also to Dr. Roget,}
but saw not so much of him as I could wish; so you
see I have met more distinguished men in one day
than I might elsewhere meet with perhaps in a
whole life. But I must break off; I am engaged to
breakfast in the morning with Hooker, to meet also
Dr. Richardson. .. .
Wurrt Bear, Piccaprxy, 18th January, 1839, Friday evening.
I am not yet in private lodgings, but hope to be so
to-morrow. You must not expect me to mention half
the things I see in a day here in this busy metropolis,
where as yet everything I have seen has been viewed
in the most desultory manner. I breakfasted with
Hooker and Richardson, who left me for a half hour
at the Adelaide Gallery, where I saw very many things
to interest me, which we will not stop to talk of now,
as I hope to be there again; among other things, a
live Gymnotus or Electrical Eel, which gives powerful
shocks, they say, for I did not choose to feel it myself.
1 Peter Mark Roget, M. D., 1779-1869; secretary of the Royal
Society, London. Wrote Animal and Vegetable Physiology, and the
well-known Thesaurus.
114 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. _ [1839,
Thence we visited the Museum of the Zodlogical So-
ciety, for which Dr. Richardson not only procured us
free admittance, but procured for us an order to visit
the Zodlogical Gardens; made calls with Hooker,
whom Joseph and I left with the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer in Downing Street, while we passed by West-
minster Hall and Abbey down to Bentham’s, who has
a beautiful residence as retired as the country. Found
Bentham an exceedingly pleasant and amiable man ;
spent an hour or two, till Hooker came in; accepted
an invitation to dine with him to-morrow; went into
the City ; introduced to Richard Taylor,! at his print-
ing-office ; were all invited to breakfast on Tuesday
morning next; went to Longman’s famous bookstore
and warehouse ; one of the young Longmans politely
showed us over the building, showed us room after
room filled with solid literature, — a most surprising
quantity ; went by St. Paul’s again, saw the Bank, ete. ;
took an omnibus again to West End; passed by the
London University, ete. Joe Hooker and I went to
dine with J. E. Gray, who has taken it into his head
to show us no little attention; he has lately married
a rich wife, a widow, much older than himself; I was
quite pleased with her. Went to the Botanical So-
ciety, — poor concern ; and then to hear Faraday give
the first lecture of the season at the Royal Institution,
Mr. Gray having kindly offered us tickets. I was
unexpectedly introduced to Faraday just before the
lecture ; pleasant man, with a very quick and lively
expression of countenance. The lecture was on Elec-
trical Eels, ete.; most elegant lecturer he is ; brilliant
and rapid experimenter. I hope to hear him again.
? Richard Taylor; printer ; for many years secretary of the Linnzan
iety.
ET, 28.] JOURNAL. 115
Saturday evening, January 19.—I am now in
lodgings, No. 36 Northumberland Street, near North-
umberland House, Charing Cross, in the room just
vacated by Dr. Richardson ; sixteen shillings a week,
and a shilling for my breakfast when I choose to take
it here. It is half past eleven. I have just come in;
no fire, but fortunately my occupation for to-day is
soon told. Hooker, Joe, and I breakfasted with
Brown at his house, and stayed with him until four
o'clock in the afternoon! I have a good deal to say
about him, but not here. He is a eurious man in
other things besides botany. He has a few choice
paintings, and a few exquisite engravings he has
picked up on the Continent. I coveted them for you.
They are just what we should be delighted to have.
I dressed for dinner, then drove with my luggage to
my present lodgings, and then took up Hooker and
Joe for Bentham’s to dinner at half past six, where
we met Lindley and Mr. Brydges; the dinner was
just the beau ideal of taste and simple elegance. In
the drawing - room coffee was served up, and in a
half hour Assam tea. I am greatly pleased with
Bentham, and delighted with Mrs. B. But more of
this anon. We are to breakfast with him on Monday,
and then make up a party to Kew and the Horticul-
tural Gardens. The house he lives in, a pleasant place,
plain but tastefully furnished and arranged, was the
one where Jeremy Bentham lived. . . .
Tuesday evening, January 22.—I have to account
for myself for two days past, but fortunately this can
be done in general terms in few words. Were I to
enter very fully into particulars I should fill several
sheets. Yesterday Sir William Hooker, Joseph, and
I breakfasted according to appointment with Ben-
116 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
tham, and set out, although the day was rainy, for a
visit to the Horticultural Gardens at Chiswick. We
went in an omnibus, and I noticed on the way Apsley
House (Duke of Wellington), and the monument to
his Grace in Hyde Park, near his house (what is
the good of honors, indeed, if one cannot see them ?),
Holland House, which I saw from some distance,
ete. We found Lindley at the Gardens, and looked
through the grounds. They have very few hothouses
as yet, but have just dug the foundation of a very
splendid one, which is, however, to form one wing
merely of the general plan. We went to Kew, about
two miles farther, and looked through those fine old
grounds and gardens. The hothouses and the collec-
tions in them were much larger and more interesting
than I had anticipated. They are particularly rich in
New Holland and Cape plants. There is a new con-
servatory for large plants, a fine one certainly, which
cost six thousand pounds, and the roof was taken from
the greenhouse at Buckingham Palace, and therefore
cost nothing. It seems an extravagant job, and Mr.
Bentham feels sure a much better one of the same size
could be built for four thousand pounds. While here
we paid a visit to Francis Bauer,’ now eighty-five
years old, and much broken down, but still hard at
work, and making as beautiful drawings as ever (be-
yond comparison excellent), and as delicate micro-
scopical examinations. He has lately been working
at fossil Infusoria, and showed me figures of Bailey’s
plate in “Silliman’s Journal” which he had copied.
He was greatly pleased when I offered to send him
specimens of the things themselves. He showed me
the original red snow from arctic America, and also his
1 Francis Bauer; botanical artist to George III.
|
:
Er, 28.) JOURNAL. 117
splendid drawings. Returned to town, and dined with
Bentham.
This morning we breakfasted with Richard Taylor
in the City; and went afterwards to the College of
Surgeons, by appointment Hooker had made, to see
Professor Owen, and the fine museum of the college
under his charge (John Hunter’s originally) ; a mag-
nificent collection it is, in the finest possible order ;
and the arrangement and plan of the rooms is far,
very far better and prettier than any I have seen.
I shall make some memoranda about it. We there
met Mr. Darwin, the naturalist who accompanied
Captain King in the Beagle. I was glad to form the
acquaintance of such a profound scientific scholar as
Professor Owen, —the best comparative anatomist liy-
ing, still young, and one of the most mild, gentle,
childlike men I ever saw. He gave us a great deal
of most interesting information, and showed us per-
sonally throughout the whole museum. I am every
day under deeper obligations to Sir William Hooker,
to whom I owe the gratification of forming so many
acquaintances under such favorable circumstances.
Hooker stays over night often at his brother-in-law’s,
Sir Francis Palgrave, the great antiquarian and Saxon
scholar, Keeper of the Records, of whom I have read
so much in the “ British Review.” His eldest daugh-
ter, Maria, is spending the winter there. On Hooker’s
return on Monday he was so kind as to bring me an
invitation from Lady Palgrave to dine with them on
Saturday, which will be the last I shall see of Hooker,
as he is to set out on Monday for home. In the after-
noon we spent an interesting hour in looking through
the vast halls of the British Museum, ‘surtieciatle
through the sculpture, the Elgin marbles, Egyptian
118 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
antiquities, ete. These last are much more grand than
I had supposed. Indeed, I was struck with wonder.
I hope sometime to spend a day or two in looking
through these rich collections. Called on Lyell ‘hs
geologist.
We dined with Dr. Roget, the secretary of the
Royal Society, where we met Sir Francis Staunton, a
great Oriental scholar and traveler, Professor Royle,
Dr. Boott, and two others whose names I forget. But
best of all Dr. Boott brought me a letter from Dr.
Torrey, dated December 25 (Christmas), and I soon
contrived to get into a quiet corner to read it; right
glad I was to hear from home once more; I wi
answer it to-morrow. We left very early, as Hooker
was to go to Hampstead, where Sir Francis Palgrave
resides. Joe and I walked with him, till he should
find a stage; but as none overtook us and the night
was fine we walked the whole way, three or four miles,
and having left Sir William safe and sound, and seen
Sir Francis Palgrave for a moment, the remainder of
the family having retired to rest, Joe and I walked
back again to town. I confess I am a little tired, and
am quite willing to go to bed. A Dieu.
Wednesday, a anuary 23, 1839. — Breakfasted and
dined with Mr. Bentham, and studied plants with him
all day and a good portion of the evening, excepting
an hour or so in the morning when we walked out, and
Bentham took me through the splendid house of the
Athenzum Club, and we also visited the National Gal-
lery, and saw fine paintings in great numbers from
almost every artist ancient or modern. It is very
near my lodgings, and | intend to visit it again. Here
are some of West’s original pictures, and likewise the
paintings or sketches of Hogarth from which his well-
ET. 28.) JOURNAL. 119
known engravings were taken. They are much more
expressive than the prints. EE. would enjoy many of
them very much, and especially some of Wilkie’s of
- the same kind.
IT am to take my breakfast in my lodgings to-
morrow morning, which I have as yet done but once.
I sent yesterday my letter of introduction to William
Christy, who lives out of town, and received to-day a
most polite invitation to dine with him to-morrow,
and meet Hooker and Joe.
Thursday. — Breakfast at home. Call with Joe
Hooker on Bransby Cooper, and then on Sir Astley
Cooper; pleasantly received, saw some very curious
preparations ; spent the morning with Bentham, and
dined at Mr. Christy’s, Clapham Road, where I spent
an agreeable evening. Returning, wrote a letter to
Dr. Torrey to go by mail to-morrow to Bristol for the
Great Western.
Friday evening. —I breakfasted at my lodgings
this morning, and afterwards walked out with Sir
William and Joe Hooker to Regent’s Park; went to
the Coliseum to see the Panorama of London, and well
worth seeing it is. It will save me a visit to the top
of the dome of St. Paul’s, I think, for the Panorama
is said to be more perfect than nature. I will say no
more about it, as Dr. Torrey has seen it. The illusion
is perfect, were it not for some unseemly cracks in the
sky! We called on Dr. Boott; then went into the
City. Our object was to visit the museum at the India
House (where the poet Lamb spent so great a portion
of his life). I made the acquaintance of Dr. Hors-
field,! the curator, who also collected the best part of
1 Thomas Horsfield, M. D., 1774-1859. Born in rig ge
After sixteen years in Java, passed the rest of his life in London
120 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
the museum in Java and India. He is an American,
if you can so call a man who has not been in the
country since the year 1800. I was much interested
with the library, which contains a vast quantity of
Indian idols, sculptures, and antiquities, as well as
fine Chinese curiosities. It is immensely rich, also, in
Indian, Persian, and Arabic manuscripts; the finest
in the world in such things. Some of the Persian
Arabic) manuscripts are most beautifully illustrated,
or illuminated, and the writing is neater than you can
conceive. Here is preserved als an original petition
of the India Company to Oliver Osouenall, with the
answer in his own rough and strong handwriting. . . .
We dined at Lambert’s, where we found Robert Brown,
Mr. Ward,? who had been looking for me, and imme-
diately asked me to name a day to see his plants in
e Wardian cases, and an evening erelong to examine
some thirty or forty first-rate microscopes which he
has in his house; also Dr. Bostock, Mr. Benson, a
legal gentleman, a great scholar and author; and last,
not least, yet certainly almost the last person I should
have expected to see, Lady Charlotte Bury (formerly
Lady Charlotte Campbell), whom you will remember
as the author of that book on the secret history of
the court of George IV. and his Queen, of which we
read together, that summer, the deeply interesting re-
view by Brougham. Lady Bury is now supposed to
be sixty years old, and was for a long time considered
as the handsomest woman in Great Britain; she still
keeper of the museum of the East India Company. ee & Bennett
— part of his colleetions, Plante Javanice Rarior
1 I forgot to mention also some bricks from Babylon, pane with
arrowhead oe which were the most interesting relies of an-
tiquity I almost ever saw. — A. G.
? Nathaniel B. Ward, 1 791-1868 ; inventor of the Wardian case.
RT. 28.] JOURNAL. 121
looks well, though too embonpoint, and dresses like
a young lady, wide short sleeves. She is of a high
family, a sister of the present Duke of Argyll, and is
certainly talented; she is said to be quite poor. Her
daughters are married into families of rank, except
one (Miss Bury) who was with her mother at Lam-
bert’s, whom Sir William Hooker thought remarkably
handsome, but Idid not. As I have not a high respect
for Lady Bury’s character I did not throw myself into
her circle, and saw almost nothing of her the whole
evening. We came away early.
Saturday evening. —I paid a visit, this morning,
in company with Joe Hooker, to the Zodlogical Gar-
dens in Regent’s Park, where we saw all kinds of four-
footed beasts, and fowl, and creeping things. There
are four giraffes, but none quite so large as those we
saw in New York. There were a very fine orang-
outang, very gentle and amiable, a curious spider-
monkey, and other curious animals in great plenty.
The finest residences I have seen in London are those
which look upon Regent’s Park. Returning, we called
upon Lambert, Saturday being a kind of public day
with him, and there met that Nestor of botanists,
Mr. Menzies,! whom I found a most pleasant and
kind-hearted old man; he invited me very earnestly
to come down and see him, which I will try to do
some day. Meanwhile I expect to meet him on Tues-
day at Mr. Ward’s.
We just had time to go down into the City to call on
Mr. Putnam (publisher) and to learn that copies of
the “Flora” had arrived, but were not yet cleared
1 Archibald “agers eae pe the hha who accompanied
ee
Vancouver in voyne to the west coasts of North and South
erica. Hi are in the Edinburgh and Kew Herbariums.
122 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
from the custom-house; then took the Hampstead
coach to dine at Sir Francis Palgrave’s. Excepting
Hooker and Joe, I almost forget who the guests were.
I was not interested in any of them particularly. Sir
Francis was very agreeable ; his conversational powers
are almost equal to his erudition. His lady, who
looks very much like Lady Hooker, is, like all that
family, learned and accomplished. I was glad also to
meet Hooker’s eldest daughter.
The boys interested me much; I think I never saw
more intelligent lads. Sir Francis asked me to call
at the Chapter-House, Westminster Abbey, his office
as Keeper of the Records, and he would show me the
Domesday Book. How a sight of it would electrify
Dr. Barrett! He asked me at dinner the meaning of
the term locofoco as applied toa party in the United
States. I gave him the story of the meeting in Tam-
many Hall which gave rise to the designation, which
afforded much amusement.
Sunday evening, January 27.—I was better pre-
pared than last Sabbath, for I took pains to call yes-
terday at the office of the Religious Tract Society,
and found where Baptist Noel proeked, It is St
John’s Chapel, at considerable distance from here.
Nevertheless I attended there to-day, and have reason
to be glad that I did so, for I heard a most excellent
sermon in the morning, from Psalm ciii. 10-12. Mr.
Noel is a most simple, winning preacher, and his ser-
mon was the most thoroughly evangelical and earnest
I ever heard from an Episcopal pulpit. I wish
could give you some idea of it. I took notes for your
benefit as well as I could, and have written them out,
but they will give you a very imperfect idea of it.
The church, a large one, with double galleries around
£T, 28.] JOURNAL. 123
three sides, was crowded. This afternoon his assistant,
Mr. Garwood, preached, and there was room enough,
but we had a good sermon. This Mr. Garwood, you
may have seen by the papers, has lately been perse-
cuted a little by his bishop, for acting as secretary to
the London City Mission. Both he and Mr. Noel
are doing much good in raising the standard of piety
and active benevolence in the church they belong to.
I hope by next Sunday to inquire out Dr. Reed’s
church. I have not been out this evening, but have
employed myself in copying out my poor notes on
the morning sermon, which | trust soon to forward to
you.
Monday evening, January 28, 1839.—TI spent the
morning with Bentham, by appointment, with whom I
breakfasted and looked at Leguminosz until two P. M. ;
then joined Joe Hooker (took leave of Sir William
this morning, who has returned to Glasgow, via
Woburn) ; made calls, among others on Dr. Bostock,
who received me very politely; we then dined to-
gether at a chop-house; called on Dr. Boott, spent an
hour or two in his very pleasant family ; then attended
a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society, in
which al that interested me was a paper by Professor
Robinson of New York, on some interesting matters
of ancient geography connected with his travels in
Asia Minor. The paper was sent to the Geographical
Society by a learned German geographer ; it excited
much interest. . . .
London, January 24, 1839.—I have so far been
seeing men and things chiefly, but have had one
or two botanical sittings with Bentham, who is a thor-
oughly kind and good fellow. He immediately had
all the remaining parcels of Douglas’s Californian
124 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
and Oregon plants sent down to his house, and has
supplied me as well as he could; and a valuable par-
cel I shall have of them. . .
I have seen considerable of Brown, and like him
much better than I thought, although he is certainly
peculiar. The day we breakfasted with him we re-
mained until four Pp. M., and he offered to show anything
I wished at the British Museum. He showed us all
Bauer’s drawings in his possession (I have since seen
Francis Bauer). He has much more general infor-
mation than I supposed; is full of gossip, and has a
great deal of dry wit.
He is growing old fast, and I suspect works very
little now, and I fear there is not very much more
work now to be expected of him. He knows every-
thing! ...
I spent a good part of yesterday with Bentham, and
was to have met Hooker at the Geological Society in
the evening; but botany prevailed and I stayed with
Bentham, and was a little sorry afterwards, as I
should have seen at the society Whewell! Daubeny!
Chantry the sculptor, etc. — I have bought a colored
copy of Wallich’s “ Plante Asiaticee Rariores,”’ 3
vols. fol., very fine, for £15; the publishing price
was £36,— the present price by Henry Bohn, who
has bought up not only this but almost every other
expensive British work on natural history, is £26. It
is not yet come round from Edinburgh. I will soon
send it to you.... I have seen the “ Atakta Bo-
tanica”’ of Endlicher, where there is a plate of Un-
gnadia (not Ungnodia, as spelled in “ Companion
to the Botanical Magazine”), but no letter-press as
yet. . «=
January 30, Wednesday evening. . . . Yesterday
pais : si
Es acne ROCF
ET, 28.] JOURNAL. 125
morning Joe Hooker and myself breakfasted together,
and then paid a visit to Westminster Abbey, which
we examined in every part, from Poets’ Corner to
Henry VII.’s Chapel. .
As we left the Abbey Cw by the way, we were
most thoroughly chilled with our long stay), we went
into the Chapter House adidinteg. a very antique
building crammed with old records and musty manu-
scripts, and Sir Francis Palgrave kindly showed us
the famous Domesday Book, which is in a perfect
state of preservation; all the writing perfectly dis-
tinct, and so plainly executed that we could read it,
here and there, with moderate facility. He showed
us a copy of a treaty made with France by Cardinal
Wolsey, of which the immense seal appended was cut
in gold, and of the most elaborate workmanship. We
saw also the original papal bull sent to Henry VIIL.,
constituting him “ Defender of the Faith” ! We went
from this to Westminster Hall; saw the large room,
which is very fine; looked into the Court of Exche-
quer, and saw the Lord Chancellor and other judges
in their full-bottom wigs, most funny to behold, I
assure you; and the barristers with their queer horse-
hair wigs, frizzled on the top of their heads, but tied
up into nice and regular curls behind, which fall upon
their shoulders. The case of the Canadian prisoners
was then under consideration. We then rode in an
omnibus to the City and visited St. Paul’s Church,
which, grand as it is, does not show to advantage after
Westminster Abbey. The monumental statuary is
very fine; some of it I would mention, but the ex-
treme lateness of the hour obliges me discreetly to
break off and finish my account of the day hereafter.
Bon soir, or rather Bon jour !
126 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
Thursday evening. . . . To commence where I broke
off with Tuesday. We went to dine, by appointment,
with Mr. Ward, the plant-case man, at three P. M.,
which hour was appointed for the purpose of showing
us the plant-cases, ete., by daylight. Ward is one of
the most obliging men I ever knew. Iwas perhaps a
little disappointed in his plants, but this is the very
worst season of the year, particularly in London, and
his house, which is in the heart of the city, near Lon-
don Docks, is very badly situated as to light. But I
have learned something from him, and feel confident
that I shall be able to manage our plant-cases much
better hereafter. Menzies was there, and a truly kind-
hearted old man he is. I was to have returned in
time to spend the evening at Bentham’s, but owing to
the stormy weather I did not reach my lodgings till it
was too late. On Friday (a snowy day) I was out
rather late; went to Bentham’s, where I spent the
whole morning, dined with him and Mrs. Bentham,
three in all! — they have no children, and live in the
most cosy and quiet way you could imagine — and
spent the whole evening with him in labeling plants
which he selected for me from his duplicates. To-day,
Joseph Hooker having concluded to postpone till this
evening his departure for Glasgow, and having writ-
ten accordingly to Ward to meet us, we visited the
famous greenhouses and conservatories of Loddiges.
Miss Maria Hooker was with us, having come out
from Hampstead for the purpose. It is rather a long
ride to Hackney, but we were well repaid. The col-
lection of Orchidew is immense and very beautiful, but
a very small portion is now in flower. The palm-
house, ample and magnificent as it is, rather disap-
pointed me; it seemed not so much larger than that
ET. 28.] JOURNAL. 127
of the Edinburgh garden, and the plants are not in
such nice order, Loddiges was very kind to me.
Ward selected a few pretty plants for Miss Hooker.
I forgot for the moment that there was such a world
of waters between us, and was on the point of selecting
some for you know whom; I am not sure that I did
not bring some after all.
Loddiges took us to his house and showed his col-
lection of humming-birds, which is the finest in the
world, He had nearly 200 species, and usually sev-
eral specimens of a kind, very beautifully mounted
and arranged. You can’t imagine how beautiful they
are! They are his great pets, and I do not wonder.
I returned through the City, stopped a few moments
at the British Museum, dined with Joe Hooker at his
hotel near me, and shortly after saw him start for
Glasgow. I sent by him a copy of ‘ Outre Mer” to
Lady Hooker. At nine p. M. I went to the meeting of
the Royal Society, heard a paper read of the Hon.
Fox Talbot’s on the power of objects not only to sit
for, but to draw their own portraits, which has just
been making a great noise in France. Itis done by
the influence of the light of the sun upon paper pre-
pared by nitrate or chloride of silver. Talbot seems
to have found out all about it long ago, but the French
have published first. I will write the doctor more
particularly about it, and send the ‘“ Athenzeum ” con-
taining the account when it appears.
I have neglected to say that I received two days
ago a very kind note from Lindley inviting me to
come down to his place, dine with him on Sunday
next, stay all night, spend Monday at his herbarium,
and meet a few botanical friends at dinner, and re-
turn next morning. I declined of course the invita-
128 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
tion as far as it related to Sunday, but accepted it for
Monday, and offered to get down to Turnham Green
in time to breakfast with him. This morning I re-
ceived another note from him, pointing out the way in
which I may reach his house in time. I have also a
letter from Francis Bauer, inclosing some European
Infusoria, in return for a few of Bailey’s I gave him.
I will send a portion to Professor Bailey.
Friday evening, February 1.—I spent the earliest
part of the morning in my own room; then went
to Lambert’s, and commenced the examination of
Pursh’s plants. After dining in a simple way by
myself, I went to Bentham’s, by appointment, to
spend the evening in looking out duplicate plants. I
found him and Mrs. B. sitting cosily together in the _
study. We had a cup of tea and some chat, and then
fell to work until half past eleven, when I came away
walking as usual by Westminster sailings of which I
often get very good nocturnal view
Saturday evening, Februar 2. . . Brown has
been very kind to “i in his peculiar way. I have
seen him but twice since Hooker and I breakfasted
with him, but I hope soon to be at work at the British
Museum and to see more of him. He is very fond
of gossip at his own fireside, and amused us ex-
tremely with his dry wit, but in company he is silent
and reserved. I have found out also that it does not
do to ask him directly any question about plants. He
is, as old Menzies told us, the driest pump imaginable.
But although he will not bear direct squeezing, yet by
coaxing and very careful management any one he has
confidence in may get a good deal out of him. He
tells me that Petalanthera, Nutt., is a published
genus, and promises to give me all the information
ET. 28.] JOURNAL. 129
about it I desire. I asked him some question about
the manner in which the vessels of ferns uncoil. He
at onee remarked, “ They unroll like a ribbon”!
Quekett has been examining them, so has a botanist
in India; all are much interested in them. I placed
Bailey’s specimens afterwards in his hands and also
some of the Infusoria, which he expressed himself
much pleased with when I saw him at Lambert’s. By
the way, the Infusoria were sent by Bailey himself.
I delivered also the parcel for Lindley, and gave the
rest I had mostly to Dr. Roget, Mr. Lyell,! and
Francis Bauer, who were all very glad to get them.
I have saved a few for Mr. Ward’s microscopical party
which he is to give on Wednesday of week after next.
. I shall also order, for Sullivant, Hooker’s “ Icones
Plantarum,” which will be continued, as Hooker fur-
nishes all the matter for nothing and gives the plates,
finding paper and everything. Although there is not
so much detail as I could wish, yet it is becoming a
very valuable collection for a student of natural
orders. . ..
Monday evening. —I have seen the original Taxus
nucifera, of Thunberg, both leaves and fruit. Arno
should have paid more attention to it. It is very like
Torreya! and doubtless a congener, — and so Brown
insinuates. I will see more about it soon. A new
edition of Lindley’s “ Introduction to Botany ” is pre-
paring! Sullivant wants, I suppose, a microscope of
single lenses — a good working instrument —and an
achromatic. This last I think I shall procure for him
in London, where they produce more perfect instru-
ments than the French. Can you send Bentham the
Lindernias? He wishes much to examine them; send
good corollas.
1 Sir Charles Lyell, the geologist.
130 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
Arnott seems to think much more of Nees von
Esenbeck than anybody else. It is generally thought
he is in his iiss. and a sad, very sad splitter of
straws. . .
I had some thoughts of going to Paris via Leyden,
to see if I can coax anything . out of Blume, but he
seems to have behaved rather strangely to all the
English botanists I have yet met with. You ask
whom I liked best in Scotland: Hooker is all in all!
A new Antarctic expedition is planned; indeed is
settled upon nearly, to be commanded by James Ross.
But a part of the administration throw difficulties in
the way. If it goes Joseph Hooker is to be the nat-
uralist. . . . By the way, Corda’s “ Memoir on Im-
pregnation of Plants” turns out to be mere humbug,
and it seems there is little dependence to be placed
upon him. . .
Tell Bailey T am every day getting information
that will be valuable to him, in the microscopical way.
I have a new correspondent for him, Mr. Edwin J.
Quekett,! 50 Wellclose Square, London, an excellent
microscopist. I will write soon what he wants, and
he will send through me some microscopical objects.
P.S.—I have just had the offer of a chance to
examine Walter’s herbarium as much as I like !— to
take it into my possession for a week if I like! and
that after I had nearly given up all hopes of it.
February 5, eleven o’clock, evening. . . . I think
I mentioned in those letters how yesterday was spent,
viz., that I rose early, took stagecoach for Turnham
Green, near Chiswick, where Lindley resides, break-
fasted and spent the day. Lindley was certainly very
n J. Quekett, 1808-1847. Wrote much on the microscopic
Fatioeiay ‘of plants and animals.
:
i
‘a
AE ese Pad tea
ET, 28.) JOURNAL. 131
civil. Mrs. Lindley is a quiet lady of plain man-
ners and apparently very domestic habits. Miss
Drake, whose name appears as the artist in all of
Lindley’s plates almost, was present, and is, I judge, a
member of his family, and perhaps a relative of Mrs.
Lindley. I saw Lindley’s splendid “ Sertum Orchida-
cewn,” and a much more luxurious work, the “ Orchi-
dace of Mexico and Guatemala,’ by Bateman, a very
large-paper work 4 l’Audubon. We looked over
some families together in a desultory way, and I took
up the Lupines and compared ours carefully with
Lindley’s, which were named by Agardh, At dinner
met Dr. Quekett and Mr. Miers,! a traveler in Bra-
zil. On reaching my room I found a note from Bell,
the zodlogist (to whom I brought a letter from John
Carey, but left at his house, not being able to see him),
inviting me dine as his guest at the Linnean Club,
before the meeting of the Linnean Society. Fortu-
nately, as I do not like club-dinners, I had previously
accepted Bentham’s invitation to dine quietly with
him and Mrs. B. on that day, so I sent a note of
declinature. I have already told you of my failure,
by my own carelessness, of seeing the opening of Par-
liament, which I regret, as I should like to see the
peers in official costume, and the peeresses in full
dress.
It did not break my heart, but I returned to Ben-
tham’s and looked over plants until the hour approached
to take my place in the park to see the queen, and —
what is finer —her superb horses, with what success
I have already said ; thence to the Horticultural So-
ciety, where I received the welcome letters. After
1 John Miers, 1789-1879; a botanist who studied in South Amer-
ica and wrote many papers.
. 182 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [ 1839,
dispatching my parcel of letters I took a cab for
Bentham’s, as it was raining finely, where we dined in
his quiet, elegant way. I don’t think Dr. Torrey saw
enough of him, at least in his own house, to appreciate
him fully. .
You may wall infer from my being so much with
him that he is my favorite. . .
Wednesday evening. — After jreociichat to-day I went
to Lambert’s, thinking to finish nearly the examina-
tion of Pursh’s plants, but I found Lambert on the
point of going out, though the morning was unpleas-
ant. So I was obliged to retrace my steps; and as a
dernier ressort I went to the British Museum, and
commenced my examination of the Banksian Her-
barium. Brown was there most of the time, but did
very little except to read the newspaper and crack his
jokes. I broke off at four o’clock ; went down to the
City, called on Mr. Putnam, took a parcel of late
American newspapers away with me, dined, went up
to Dr. Boott’s, where I spent the evening so pleasantly
that eleven o’clock arrived before I thought of it. It
is now twelve. On my return here I found my parcel
had arrived from Edinburgh, the beautiful copy of
Wallich’s work, a very complete and pretty set of
British Alge from Dr. Greville, and some letters
of introduction for the Continent which he has obli-
gingly favored me with. I must write a letter of
thanks to-morrow. . .
Went to Ward’s _ see the tunnel. . We had
tea, Miss and Mrs. Ward regaled us ith. ‘iti and
both play extremely well; then Ward and I looked
over plants until nearly half past ten, when we had
supper, a very substantial one, and I took my leave,
arriving at my lodgings a little after twelve. . . .
ee
Nicaea SNR li eS rb Nec
ET. 28.] JOURNAL. 133
Sunday evening, February 10. . . . This morning
I attended one of the larger Methodist chapels, where
I heard an excellent sermon from 1 Pet. v. 7: “ Cast-
ing all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
A portion of the Episcopal service was read at the be-
ginning from the desk; but afterwards the clergy-
man ascended to the pulpit, when the singing and
prayers were in the ordinary manner. In the after-
noon I went to hear my old favorite Baptist Noel, who
was to preach a kind of charity sermon for the infant-
schools of St. Clement’s, Danes. I felt satisfied that
we should have a close and fervent sermon, and truly
I was not disappointed. . . . He preaches ex tempore,
but has the most perfect facility of language; the
words drop from his mouth without any apparent
effort, but he never repeats, and all seems equally im-
portant ; so unless I could write as fast as he speaks I
could give you no proper idea of his discourse. His
manner is so exceedingly placid that you wonder how
he fixes the attention of his auditors so perfectly.
There are many other clergymen who have the same
ardent piety, and the number I hope is increasing; so
that one cannot help expecting great things from this
communion, if it once gets free from the contaminat-
ing influence of the political power. These men all
preach continually to crowded houses, which is an-
other good sign, and proves that the people are ready
to hear sound doctrine. I hoped to have heard an-
other of the same stamp this evening, and went all the
way to St. Sepulcre’s, where Mr. Dale preaches in
the evening, but he was out of town... .
February 5, evening. — It is not long since I
closed a parcel of letters for you, and dispatched them
by mail to Liverpool, for the steamship Liverpool, by
134 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. £1839,
which I hope they will reach you early. I have since
attended a meeting of the Linnean Society, Mr. Fors-
ter in the chair. Lambert never comes now for fear
of meeting Don, and also because he is a little piqued,
perhaps at not being made president. Brown seldom
comes, as he would have to take the chair in Lambert’s
absence, and he fears he might annoy Lambert, for
Brown is extremely tender of other persons’ feelings.
I was most interested in the nominations to fill up the
five vacancies of the foreign associates. They were
~ Carus, Milne - Edwards, Dutrochet, Endlicher, and
Torrey. The nomination was signed by Bentham,
Brown, Boott, Forster, Owen, ete. I knew nothing
of it till just before the meeting, and I may be allowed
to say that I felt extremely gratified at such a very
handsome compliment paid to my best friend.
Lindley has given me to-day a copy of Griffith’s
most admirable paper in the last part of the ‘ Transac-
tions Linnean Society,” on the ovula of Santalum,
Loranthus, Viscum, etc., an anatomical paper of the
very highest order, —about forty pages, with eleven
fine plates. I am going to buy all the other papers on
Botany in the Linnean Transactions which I think
valuable. They can be had of Coxhead, who buys
sets and pulls them to pieces to sell separately. Let
me not forget to tell you that, after having made dili-
gent inquiry of Brown, Bentham, etc., I had nearly
given up all hopes of finding Walter’s! herbarium.
I spoke to Lindley yesterday, and he said he knew
the son of old Fraser, who would be most apt to know
something about it, and would give me his address,
by which I could find him if in town. But to-day,
1 Thomas Walter, d. 1788, in Carolina, U.S. Wrote Flora Caro-
liniana.
&T. 28.] JOURNAL. 135
just after the adjournment of the Horticultural So-
ciety, and while I was glancing over your kind letters,
Lindley came to say that he had found Walter’s
herbarium for me! He introduced me to Mr. Fra-
ser, to whom it belongs, though not immediately in
his possession, who offered to send it up for my exam-
ination to the Horticultural Society’s rooms, or any-
where I chose. I hope to get at it, with Bentham,
about Friday. I shall be anxious to let you know the
result. «+ +
Iam most clearly of the opinion that any person
who will make extensive collections of North American
plants, both Northern and Southern, and include also
a good collection from Santa Fé, the Platte country,
ete., have his sets named according to our work, and
who would devote four or five years to the business,
could, if he were really industrious and prudent, re-
alize $1000 per annum (clear). He should continue
my grass-book for one thing, giving loose sets only for
the present price, and while from time to time he sells
off collections as he can, should retain some fifty sets
in all the most interesting genera or small families,
get all the species, and publish them in monographic
sets. Knieskern could make, with the aid we would
gladly furnish, at least ten times as much money, as
long as he lives, as he ever will at physic, besides
being engaged in a much pleasanter way. I know
how all this should be managed now. Now for Dr.
Clapp. Tell him that Brown informs me that he does
not think jewel lenses can be depended upon as pos-
sessing any advantage over glass. He has an excel-
lent sapphire one, but that is a mere chance, and no
other has been made anything like it. They are now
almost never made, and appear to be going wholly out
136 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
of use. His other matters I will take in hand, but
he must not expect $20 to procure a doublet ~yth
inch focus, two micrometer glasses, and a case of fais
secting instruments. I have some engagements before
me with microscopical people, and when I get from
them all the information I can, I will set about these
affairs more understandingly. .
Saturday evening, February 9. —I have been en-
gaged nearly the whole day upon the herbarium you
so much wished to examine, viz., that of Walter. I
have not yet finished ‘it, and find the examination very
tedious, as the specimens are very often not labeled,
except with the genus in his “Flora,” so that I have
first to make out his own species, and then what they
are of succeeding authors.
The specimens are mostly mere bits, pasted down in
a huge folio volume. I suspect this was done by
Fraser, and the labels have sometimes been exchanged,
so that it requires no little patience. Some of the
things I most wished to see are not in the collection,
and ‘there are several in the collection which are not
mentioned in the “Flora.” You would laugh to see
what some of the things are that have puzzled us:
thus, for instance, his “ Cucubalus polypetalus” is
Saponaria officinalis! His “ Dianthus Carolinianus ”
is Frasera! in fruit. I will soon send you my notes
on the collection, or a copy of them. Bentham looked
over the Leguminose, Labiatz, ete., with me. I have
had two sittings at Pursh, but have not yet finished ;
I hope another day will do it, but am not certain.
I shall still require about three days more at the Brit-
ish Museum, two at the Linnean Society, and one at
Lindley’s. An evening or two at Bentham’s will suf-
fice to certify his Labiate, Scrophularinz, ete. I must
RT. 28,] JOURNAL. 137
also have a day with Brown, if I can get it at his own
house. I hope very nearly to finish this next week, if
life and health are continued.
February 12, 1839.—I am + tenet even another
day will not see the end of Lambert’s collection, and
I suspect a week is none too little for the British
Museum. Lady Charlotte Bury came into Lam-
bert’s and had a long chat with him; such a pair
of originals! She is to dine with Lambert on Sun-
day, but stipulated early, as she always made it a point
to read prayers to her servants on Sunday evening !
February 13, Wednesday evening, or rather one
o'clock, Thursday. — Rose and breakfasted at eight,
which is become my regular practice; started for
Lambert’s at ten, where I worked incessantly till five
P. M.; returned to my room; dressed; went to the
City, where I dined, and about eight o’clock arrived at
Ward’s, whose microscopical party this evening was
given chiefly on my account. Some eight or more
splendid microscopes were in active use when I ar-
rived ; and the greater portion of the chief microscopic
people were there. I was introduced to Stokes, Solly,
Powel, Bowerbank.! ... Also Mr. Quekett, whom
I knew before, and several amateurs, such as Boott,
Bennett, Bentham, Don, were present. It was a feast
to me, you may be sure, and I acquired some useful
knowledge, and saw some strange things: the infuso-
ria in flint ; queer fossil woods, which are all the rage
here, and are extremely curious ; fibrocellular tissue,
the most beautiful thing you can imagine. One of
the best of the microscopists, Mr. Bowerbank, gave me
one or two curious microscopical objects, whites he had
1 James Scott Bowerbank, aad Wrote on Sponges and the
Fossil Fruits of the London
138 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
mounted for himself, and made an appointment with
me and another friend to meet him on Monday even-
ing next, to examine his microscopes and curious ob-
jects more quietly and at large than could be done in
a crowd, and to prepare some specimens for me. Mr.
Reade, a gentleman who was invited, but was pre-
vented from attending, was so kind as to send me a
copy of his paper on the Infusoria and Seales of Fishes
found in Flint, with proof impressions which are far
superior to those in the “ Annals of Natural His-
ty ss
Tuesday evening, February 19.— Three days have
passed since I have written a line for you. This sus-
pension was occasioned by my late hours last night.
After spending the morning at the Horticultural So-
ciety, then going into the City, where I dined, then
going far out on the Mile-End Road to deliver a letter
intrusted to me by Mr. Scatcherd, then returning as
far as the Bank, I went again, partly by omnibus and
partly on my legs, almost as far in the northern out-
skirts of the town, to spend an evening with Mr.
Bowerbank, one of the best microscopists in London,
who owns the best-microscope. I found so much to
see that I did not get away until past twelve, and then
I had a walk before me almost the whole length of
London, —from New North Road to Charing Cross.
I had an opportunity of seeing, what was especially
promised me, the camera lucida applied to the micro-
scope; an invaluable invention for an awkward person
like me, as I am convinced I could with a very little
practice turn out very fair outline sketches of objects
I might be examining. I acquired much information
on various subjects; saw some most curious and unique
specimens of vegetable structure, and particularly
ET. 28,] JOURNAL. 139
of fossil fruits, of which Mr. Bowerbank possesses an
invaluable collection ; capsules, which we broke open,
and examined not only the seed, with its testa, raphe,
and funieulus, but even the pulp which surrounded it.
I looked at many of his specimens of recent and fossil
wood, at his unrivaled cabinet of British fossils, and
when our party broke up, there was still so much left
that we made an appointment for another evening.
... Mr. Bentham, Mr. Brydges, and I went to the
Linnean Society ; the president, the Bishop of Nor-
wich, was in the chair,—an amiable old gentleman.
Boott, Yarrell, Ward, Royle, Forster, et multis aliis,
were present. Mr. Forster! invited Dr. Boott and
me to fix a day to visit him at his residence, some
miles in the country, and dine with him. He is
greatly esteemed, and is said to be one of the most
kind-hearted and benevolent of men. I am now en-
gaged, I believe, for every day and evening of this
week, and half of next, and am busy enough, I assure
you. .
Friday evening, February 22.—I ought hardly to
use the date of Friday evening, as it is close upon one
o'clock of Saturday morning. But I must not neglect
my journal, and shall therefore give you a few hasty
lines ere I prepare for rest. I passed yesterday morn-
ing at the British Museum, that is, until near three
o'clock. I then hurried to my lodgings, snatched a
hasty dinner by the way, and went to the House of
Commons, Mr. Bentham having, through Dr. Romily,
the speaker’s clerk, procured me an order of admit-
tance within the body of the house, where I had the
finest opportunity for hearing and seeing. There was
. age gig 1765-1849. Made vice-president of the Linnzan
Society in
140 = FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
nothing very important brought before the house, yet
on different subjects nearly all the leading officers of
the administration took the floor, Mr. Rice, the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, Lord John Russell, who is
evidently a man of most ready talent and tact, Lord
Palmerston, Lord Morpeth, the new member of the
cabinet, ete. I was exceedingly amused by the man-
ner in which Lord John Russell worsted a Colonel
Sibthorpe, an opposition member, who moved cer-
tain resolutions relative to Lord Durham’s expenses,
couched in an offensive manner, and made a still more
objectionable speech. Lord J. Russell, in very placid
manner, set him out in such a ridiculous light, that
the gallant colonel first lost his temper completely,
and then lost his point, being obliged to withdraw his
own resolutions. I heard also, for a moment, Sir
Robert Peel, Dr. Lushington, Mr. Hume, and others
too tedious to enumerate. As to general decorum, or
the manner in which members often treat each other
in debate, I don’t think we have much to learn. . . .
I spent this morning at the British Museum ; dined
with Mr. Putnam at a chop-house, and went to spend
the evening at Mr. Quekett’s. I found, instead of
having the evening alone as I expected and wished,
that he had invited several friends, most of whom I
knew. Still, after tea the microscopes were produced,
and I had the opportunity of examining very many
curious things.
it they don’t get out of my head in the mean time
I will try to mention some of them to Dr. Torrey
when I go on with my letter to him. As eating is a
very important matter here, we had a magnificent
supper at half past ten, and it was near twelve when I
left, with a walk of four miles before me. . . .
ET. 28.] JOURNAL. 141
Saturday evening. — This has been a busy and some-
what interesting day with me. I rose early, went
down to Bentham’s to breakfast, stayed until eleven
o'clock, and then went up to Brown’s house to spend
the morning, according to previous appointment.
We talked profound botanical matters, and Brown
not only amused and interested me, but gave me
much valuable information. He talks of visiting
America, possibly next summer, and I have promised
to plan him a route. I left him about four o'clock,
returned to my lodgings, dressed hastily, took a Ken-
sington omnibus, and reached old Mr. Menzies’ little
place at five. Mr. Ward, who was to meet us, was
not there. We left at half past ten, and walked all
the way back, about four miles. So here I am safe
again. I read over the doctor’s short letter again.
I am trying to imagine how Herbert looks now. He
has probably centered very much since I parted from
him. I have a very especial love for that little fel-
low.! I must find time to write to the girls, yet fear
I shall scarcely be able until I have left London. Tell
them I think of them daily even if I cannot write
them. As to M’s French letter, it is not due until I
get to France; but that will, I trust, be soon. Adieu.
Good-night.
Sunday, February 24. I was fortunate this morn-
ing in being able to hear a man I had heard spoken
of, and of whom I had formed a high opinion: the
Rev. Thomas Dale, Vicar of St. Bride’s, who also
preaches in the evening at St. Sepulcre’s. He
preached from the first part of Luke vii. 47: “ Her
sins, which are many, are forgiven ; for she loved
1 Herbert Gray Torrey, born just before Dr. Gray sailed, was his
odson,
142 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
much.” The discourse was truly evangelical and im-
pressive. He is the best preacher I a heard in
England next to Mr. Noel, and is more eloquent and
striking in manner than he, but has not the gentle
pathos ae sweetness of Noel.
Tuesday evening, February 26. . Met Mr. Put-
nam! at half past four. We had ‘peered before-
hand that he should attempt to procure some orders
for admittance to the House of Lords, and that we
should go down together. I found he had been suc-
cessful, having sent his clerk with notes to some half
dozen peers in order to make sure, and he thus ob-
tained more orders than he wanted. For me I found
he had addressed a note in my name to the Bishop
of London, who very promptly sent me an order of
admittance.
We set out accordingly. The room which is occu-
pied by the House of Lords temporarily, until the
New Houses of Parliament are built, is inferior in
size and accommodation to that of the Commons;
indeed there is nothing about it at all remarkable.
There was no business of very absorbing interest be-
fore the House this evening, and it adjourned as
early as eight. Still I had the good fortune to hear
nearly all those speak that I particularly cared for
except Wellington (who is sick) and Earl Durham. I
heard a long speech from Brougham and a very good
one, except that he took occasion to trumpet his own
good works. There was some fine sparring between
an Irish lord I do not remember, Lord Roden, Lord
Westmeath, and Lord Normanby, the late viceroy of
Ireland, a young man apparently, and a man of talent,
1 Mr. George P. Putnam; the American publisher and bookseller,
at this time established in London.
ET, 28.] JOURNAL. 143
Melbourne, and Minto; the lord chancellor, Denman
the chief justice, Sir James Scarlett, old Lord Hol-
land, ete., also spoke. The word “lengthy,” which
was not long since called an Americanism, seems to be
pretty well naturalized, as Brougham used it several
times, and Scarlett more than once. Lord Palmer-
ston the other evening used the word “ disculpate ”’
instead of “ exculpate,” which I fancy is rather modern
English. .. .
Friday evening, 12 o’clock, March 1.— I have just
returned from a most pleasant evening and day, as I
may say, spent at Mr. Forster’s beautiful residence on
the border of Epping Forest, Essex ( Woodford), about
ten miles from here. He is an old man, a banker, one
of the oldest vice-presidents of the Linnean Society,
one of the most kind-hearted men, exceedingly be-
loved. He lives in an elegant but very unostentatious
way, in a most beautiful part of the country, the very
perfection of English scenery. He is said to be ex-
tremely benevolent, and to do a world of good. .
Saturday evening. — Immediately after breakfast
this morning I went down to Bentham, whom I had
not seen for a week; spent two or three hours there,
returned again to my lodgings, went to the City, took
an early dinner with Mr. Putnam, and then we went
together in an omnibus to Hackney ; saw Loddiges’
extensive collections of fine plants again, lovely Orchi-
dew. The Camellias, of which he has a large house
filled with magnificent trees, were not yet in bloom.
.. . We walked across this eastern part of the city
down to the Tower, entered the gates and walked over
the grounds. It was too late to get entrance to the
armory or any of the interesting places, as the light
was beginning to fail. I went back to Mr. Ward’s, at
144 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. (1839,
Well-close Square, according to promise, to name some
plants for him, but Dr. Valentine,’ a most ingenious
vegetable anatomist and microscopist, being in town
(had previously met him at Lindley’s), Mr. Ward had
foregone his own advantage and invited Valentine and
Quekett to meet me with their microscopes, so that
the evening was very instructive to me, which I had
not anticipated. Mr. Ward seems to have taken a
fancy to me, for I can hardly imagine that he takes
so much pains to oblige every one, absorbed as he is
also in medical practice. He presented me with a
beautiful botanical digger of fine polished steel, with a
leathern sheath, which I suspect he has had made on
purpose for me; though I don’t know why he should
have thought of it. Mrs. Ward was inquiring about
the Abbotts and their works, one of which she had,
which makes her wish for more. I am often asked
about Mr. Abbott, whose works seem much more
generally known here than those of any other Ameri-
ean religious author. I must find some for Mrs.
Ward.
Sunday evening, March 3.—I went this morning to
hear, perhaps tee the last time, Baptist Noel. The
sermon was from the last three verses of the same
psalm (Ps. ciii.) from which he has preached on the
former occasions when I have heard him in his own
church ; and truly a good sermon it was. I have
told you that the chapel is a large one. Yet it is
so well filled that I have always had some difficulty
in getting a seat, and to-day I actually stood near the
pulpit during the whole service and sermon. But it
1 William Valentine, a very promising young botanist, who wrote
Neemep Bo on the structure of mosses. Went early to Tasmania,
where
ee ears ree LL EE &xea«a— Se
BT, 28.] JOURNAL. 145
is worth while submitting to some inconvenience. In
the afternoon I walked up to Tottenham Court Road,
and looked up the chapel built by Whitfield, the
scene of his useful labors in London. If you read, as
I think you did, Philip’s “ Life of Whitfield,” you
must take some interest in this place! I found the
chapel a large but outlandish building, with an in-
scription over one of the entrances, stating that the
building was erected by George Whitfield. Within
is a tablet to the memory of Mrs. Whitfield, who is
buried here, and a monumental inscription to Whit-
field himself (which I regret I did not copy), mention-
ing the date of his death at Newburyport, near Boston.
The preacher this afternoon (for I believe there is
more than one who officiates here) was the Rev. Mr.
Wight, who gave an impressive, practical sermon from
the concluding clause of the last verse of Romans viii. :
“* The love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
It was, I think, rather above his audience, which I am
sorry to say was exceedingly small. Indeed I hope it
is generally better filled, but I should not have ex-
pected so great a falling off in the attendance of plain
unfashionable people in the afternoon. These Whit-
fieldians are, one would think, farther separated from
the Established Church than Wesleyans (which was
certainly not the case in Whitfield’s time, who refused
to take any steps to establish a sect apart from the
Church of England) ; for in the Wesleyan chapel I at-
tended the liturgy was read, but here we had none
of it. Only last summer I read a biography of Whit-
field with much attention ; and it was very interesting
to worship in this chapel of his. It recalls more in-
teresting associations than Westminster Abbey or any
1 Pulled down in 1891.
146 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. _ [1839,
vast and splendid cathedral. But I must bid you
good-night, purposing to rise early and have an hour
or so before the pressing business of the day is com-
menced to write another sheet to you and our good
Dr. Torrey, to whom I have so much to say, if I could
ever find time for it.
Friday. — I have been to-day at the British Mu-
seum, studying from the specimens of Plukenet,
Catesby, Miller, ete., etc., the authority for old Lin-
nan species in Ilex, Prinos, Eupatorium, ete. It is
slow and tedious work, and I shall not have time to do
so much of it as I could wish. Brown told me to-day
about Petalanthera. It is Cevallis, Lagasea, Hortus
Matritensis, and very probably his species, even C.
sinuata. It came from New Spain. You will see Lind-
ley is all astray about the genus, and no one knows its
affinities even, but Brown. Lagasca himself refers it
to Boraginer. It is true Loasew, I was this even-
ing at Bentham’s, and found he had a specimen of C.
sinuata from Hooker, collected by Brydges in Mexico,
I think. I have asked Brown to give us some notes
on the subject, a generic character, ete., that we may
publish a little from his own pen. Iam to spend a
day with him next week, and I will try to get some-
thing out of him. He hinted to me some days ago
that he knew something about Cyrilla, but I could
not get it out of him. I'll try again. He tells me
he has a character to distinguish true Rhexia, which
has escaped Don, De Candolle, ete. We must find it
out. Bentham has given me his ‘ Scrophularize Indi-
ce,” and the three last parts of his “ Labiate;” I
have bought the rest (£1 2s. 6d.), and last evening we
looked over his North American specimens, and the
notes in his copy. He gave me also, the other day, the
|
|
ET. 28.] JOURNAL. 147
only published part of the “ Plante Hugeliane ” and
a few other pamphlets. He is a liberal soul.
I have got so far behind in my botanical news that
I despair of bringing up arrears, and must leave
very much to tell you in propria persona, if we meet
again. I faney I have not very much new to learn
on the Continent about microscopes and modes of
working. I have seen much of all the best people
here, last not least Valentine, who lives in the coun-
try, from whom I have derived much useful know-
ledge. He works to some account, which can’t be
said of most here, who, though they have the best in-
struments in the world, don’t turn them to any im-
portant account. As to Sullivant, tell him to have
great patience. I can get him-a capital simple micro-
scope by Ross for six guineas, but I want to get as
useful a one for him cheaper, so I shall wait till I
have been on the Continent, I think. My plan is to
purchase at Paris for him, where the low powers are
good as can be, and supply a lens or two here. . . .
Chapmannia (!) exists in Bartram’s old collection
here, which you saw at British Museum, and some
other very lately published things.
I bought a copy of “ Flora” for Bennett the other
day, thinking it worth while to offer him something,
as I was taking up much of his time. To-day he
gave me a copy of the published part of the ‘“ Plan-
te Javanice Rariores,’ (£2 10s., plain, is the pub-
lishing price), an invaluable work, containing very
many notes and observations on various genera, etc.,
both by Brown and himself, which it is quite necessary
we should see. The notes I have made for the last few
days are not now before me, so that I cannot now give
you any remarks. There is no one thing of very con-
148 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
siderable importance, but much small matter. By the
way, let me say that Bennett thinks that Brown thinks
Romanzovia to be hydrophyllaceous! Bentham would
give something to know this, but I shall keep it to
myself. I have made out the remainder of Pursh’s
doubtful Arenarias and Stellarias from the Banks
herbarium. The parcel of Solidagos, ete., sent to care
of Mr. Putnam, I am glad to say, came to hand. It
did not arrive until last week, however. .. .
Monday evening, twelve o’clock. . . . As I sit down
to tell you what I have been about to-day, my thoughts
cross the wide wave that separates us, and brings me
back to 30 MacDougal Street, and to the time when,
returning from town, I used to present myself before
you, give an account of my proceedings, tell you per-
haps some news about that ill-fated expedition of
which you were so sick of hearing; how it would cer-
tainly sail in a month, or something just as likely.
When thinking of this long separation, I console
myself with the idea that it is better than if I had
gone there. In that case I should now have been your
antipodes. Now there are only some four or five hours
of shadow between us. And, sluggard as you call me
at home, I am up in the morning two or three hours
before you. ‘Tell that to the gials for a wonder! I
left my room this morning at eleven, walked to Port-
land Place, called on the American minister, who
being unwell I was furnished by the secretary of le-
gation with what I desired, namely, a passport. This
I left, as the manner is, at the office of the French
embassy, that his majesty Louis Philippe may have
fitting notice of the honor that is to be done him, for
the king of the French is, it seems, rather particular
about such matters, and it is a pity not to oblige him,
zr. 28.} TO JOHN TORREY. 149
especially as you can’t help yourself. This being
done I went on to the Linnzan Society, and by work-
ing at the full stretch of my powers contrived to get
hcceih the Linnean herbarium (skipping a few
genera now and then) about six o'clock. Returned
home pretty well fatigued, took some tea and toast,
called upon Bentham, whom I found writing letters of
introduction for me. I have them now before me.
They are addressed to Seringe at Lyons; Requien,
Avignon ; Lady Bentham (B.’s mother) at Montpellier,
with request to make me acquainted with Dunal and
Delile ; Moretti at Pavia; Visiani at Padua; Tomasini
at Triest; Unger at Gratz; Endlicher at Vienna ;
Martius and Schultes at Munich; Reichenbach at
Dresden; Poppig at Leipsic. These, with what I
have already from Hooker, Arnott, Greville, Boott,
ete., with a few that I expect at Paris, leave me little
to wish for in this respect. About ten o’clock went to
Mrs. Stevenson’s party. It was not a very large one,
and in no way especially remarkable. I found there
of course the Bootts (three sizes, viz., Mrs. Boott the
grandmother, Mrs. Boott the mother, and Miss Boott
the daughter) and so of course I was upon good foot-
ing. Our minister lives in neat but by no means
splendid style, quite enough so for a republican ;
and Mrs. S. is very lady-like and prepossessing in
appearance. Mr. Stevenson did not make his appear-
ance. Of course, I did not stay long.
TO JOHN TORREY.
Poor Hunneman died yesterday, after a short ill-
ness. I have spent much time evenings with Mr.
Valentine, whom I like extremely. Excepting only
Brown, he is the best microscopical observer in Great
150 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
Britain. He cares little, however, for proper system-
atic botany, for which I am sorry. He has shown me
some curious things.
I have learned from Brown the character he ob-
served in our species of Rhexia, that is, the true genus
Rhexia: the unilocularity of the anthers. .. .
Tuesday evening, March 12.— After a_ hard
day’s work I finished on Monday evening with the
Linnean herbarium, which [ found more interesting
than I expected and more satisfactory, as it is in
really good state, carefully taken care of, ete. I had
some very good notes to make. I assure you I feel
much gratified to have studied this collection, which,
with the Gronovian, enables us to start fair as to Lin-
nan species. Do you know that Acer saccharinum,
Linn., is A. eriocarpum (spee. Kalm)! Look at Lin-
neus “ Species Plantarum ” (which you have not, un-
fortunately, though it is the most necessary of books ;
you will receive it at the same time as this letter or
nearly) and you will find that the description is all
drawn from Eriocarpum.
I took what time I could to-day for the Gronovian
plants and a few of Plukenet’s, ete., but was unable
to finish; will go to-morrow, for I shall work to the
last moment.
T have been tempted to buy a collection of Hart-
weg’s* very fine Mexican plants, which being col-
lected far in the interior of north Mexico are very
North American, and quite necessary, I think, for us.
They will reach you with the other parcels. Be care-
ful about the little labels with the numbers stuck on.
Bentham will publish them presently. . . .
1 Theodore Hartweg, died in 1871. Explored in Mexico and Cali-
fornia, 1836 to 1847; later director of the Grand -ducal Gardens,
Swetzingen, Baden.
ET, 28.] TO JOHN TORREY. 151
Professor Royle, as the agent of India people, I be-
lieve, offers me seeds from Himalaya Mountains,
received, and still to be received, from the government
collectors, in exchange for those of useful and inter-
esting North American plants, which they are desirous
of introducing into India. But as I can’t attend to
it until another season, he kindly offers to send to you
a portion of the seeds just received, and to ask you to
distribute them in such way as will be most useful, and
ask those you give them to (say Downing, Hogg, Dr.
Wray, Dr. Boykin, etc., and some one in the valley of
the Mississippi or Arkansas) to collect seeds of trees,
etc. (you can suggest what would be most desirable),
and send them to London, whence they will be sent
in the mails overland to India. As I fear I shall not
see Royle again I shall write him a note, telling him,
as I promised, how to send to you.
I saw Dr. Sims’ herbarium, at King’s College. I
want to look at it to certify a few early “ Botanical
Magazine”’ plants.
Brown came to the museum this morning with a
copy of a curious late paper of Schleiden (which I
had seen before) on the Development of the Embryo,
with a parcel of his own notes on the same subject
made in 1810, 1812, 1815, ete., which did not alto-
gether correspond. Brown thinks much of Schleiden
as an observer. He read me many of his old notes,
and the subject took him to speak of his discoveries
with regard to the embryos of Pinus. To explain
to me as he went on he drew the diagram on the
inelosed slip of paper, and pointed out to me how to
observe in our species of Pinus. This will refresh
my memory as to all he told me, so pray keep it
safely. There is much very curious matter now afloat
152 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. (1839,
about the process of impregnation and the early de-
velopment of embryo, which I am accumulating, as
much as I can, for future use. Pray tell Dr. Perrine
that the gardeners and botanists here insist by accla-
mation almost that there is no such thing as acclima-
tion in the vegetable kingdom.
What a pickle the Laienn Ascyrum is in! I wish
I had room to tell you.
TO MRS. TORREY.
Tuesday morning, two o’clock A. m., March 14, 1859.
I have just finished packing up, being about to start
for Boulogne in steamboat at nine o’clock this morning,
and I must now hastily close my letters. This, or
rather yesterday, has been a busy day with me. I
started in the morning to have a look at a few more
things of Pursh’s at Lambert’s, but he kept me longer
than I liked. He found somewhere a small parcel of
plants collected by Eschscholz in Kotzebue’s voyage,
who sent them to Lambert. Lambert gave me all the
North American ones, few to be sure, but interesting.
From Lambert’s I returned by way of the Horticul-
tural Society, to bid good-by to Lindley and Bentham,
but the latter insists upon coming up in the morning
to my lodgings to see me off. I have made a fortu-
nate acquisition for him. He told me he saw, a few
days ago, at an auction some copies of Richard’s fine
work on the Conifers, but an engagement at the time
prevented him from staying to buy a copy of the work
for himself, which he imagined would be sold cheap.
Mr. Putnam found out who bought up these copies,
and obtained one at nearly the price at which they were
sold. I shall have the pleasure of presenting it to
Bentham this morning when he calls. I went to the
ET, 28.] TO THE MISSES TORREY. 153
British Museum, worked hard until four o’clock ; but
was not able quite to finish, so I left my copy of
Gronovius, in which I was making notes, with Mr.
Bennett to keep for me until my return in the autumn,
and took leave of Brown and Bennett. Went to Dr.
Boott’s; saw Mrs. and Miss Boott, who insisted upon
giving me a note of introduction to a friend of theirs
in Florence ; went to the City, dined with Putnam,
down to Well-close Square, took my tea, and bid
good-by to Ward and family, and Mr. Quekett. . . .
TO THE MISSES TORREY.
Paris, March 18, 1839, Monday evening.
T am now at the Hotel de ’Empereur Joseph IL,
Rue Tournon, prés du Palais du Luxembourg. Here I
have been established for about half an hour, and my
first business shall be to fill this sheet for you. I sup-
pose I must begin at the beginning and tell you how
I came here. Voila. Ileft London at nine o’clock
in the morning of the 14th inst. (Thursday), stop-
ping on my way to the steamboat which was to
take me to Boulogne, to leave a parcel of letters at Mr.
Putnam’s office, to be forwarded to dear friends at
home. It was a nasty, rainy morning; and our boat
was, as indeed I expected, not very oamiortable. The
cabin was well enough, but much too small for the
accommodation of some fifty or sixty persons, and
there was no covering to the deck, nor any deck-cabin,
except two dirty little places for the poorer passengers,
who were not allowed the use of ours; so we had our
choice the whole day between the soaking in the rain
upon the deck and the close atmosphere of the crowded
cabin. Of course I was vibrating between the two
dilemmas the whole day, but took as much pains as I
154 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
could to keep dry. The only thing I saw worthy of
notice as we went down the Thames was Greenwich
Hospital, of which I will perhaps send a print. I
should add also chalk cliffs, for I never before saw
rocks and hills of chalk. In the afternoon, as we had
fairly got into the Channel, a thick fog came on. The
captain lost his way and seemed in fear that he
should run the boat upon the Sands, so he
dropped anchor about five in the afternoon. We
were to have arrived at Boulogne at nine that
evening. But as I saw there was no great chance
of our moving for some time, I set about making
amends for my loss of sleep the previous night. I took
possession of two thirds of a hard sofa, and, wrapped
in my cloak, was soon in a comfortable doze. I awoke
late in the evening ; and such a sight as there was be-
fore me! It seems that there were no accommodations
for sleeping on board, or next to none, and the passen-
gers, men, women, and children, were indiscriminately
but thickly strewn over the sofas, chairs, and even
over the whole floor, with portmanteaus, great-coats,
and whatever they could find for pillows, attempting
to secure such rest as they could, — some sixty persons
or more crowded into a space not larger than the cabin
of one of our ferry-boats. .
But I was too drowsy to dad it much, and soon fell
asleep again, but awoke in the morning with swollen
eyes and complaining bones. The boat was moving
again, and it was raining as hard as ever. The
tant coast of France soon came in view, and at half
past ten we were landed at Boulogne. We were es-
corted to the custom-house; what baggage we had
brought in our hands was closely examined by the offi-
cers, an ill-looking, vagabond set; our passports were
xr. 28.] TO THE MISSES TORREY. 155
taken from us and provisional ones given, which per-
mitted us to go on to Paris, and for which we each had
to pay two francs; we were then allowed to go toa
hotel and get our breakfast, a privilege which most of
us were not slow to avail ourselves of. I made a hearty
meal of cold roast beef, café au lait, excellent bread,
and delicious butter. The two last I have found ever
since I have been in France. I gave my keys to the
comiissionaire of the hotel to get my luggage through
the custom-house, and, my vilkée being taken in the
diligence for Paris at two o’clock, having nothing
hie: to do, I went to the custom-house to see the exam-
ination of the luggage. Lazy custom-house officers
and gendarmes were lounging about, while heavy carts
loaded with baggage were drawn up from the boat by
women ! —and this while it was raining hard, and the
poor creatures were without hats or bonnets, and
had only a handkerchief or a bit of cloth tied over
their heads. So much for this self-styled most refined
and polite nation! I noticed the poor things when
their task was done and they were waiting to convey
the trunks, ete., from the custom-house to the various
hotels. Some were chatting in groups, apparently quite
content with their lot; a few were sleeping, and many,
with the characteristic industry of their sex, produced
their knitting-work from their pockets and were busily
employed at a more appropriate and feminine employ-
ment. I was amused at the strictness with which three
exceedingly unpleasant-looking fellows searched all our
baggage, that of the ladies not less than that of the
men. Little parcels were opened, dirty linen was over-
hauled and most minutely inspected ; the whole scene
would have made a fit subject for the pencil of Ho-
garth. My traveling-bag was examined from top to
156 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
bottom, and I began to fear that my trunk, which I had
packed with care, would be sadly deranged, but they
contented themselves with cutting open a packet of
seeds I was taking from the Horticultural Society to
De Candolle, and with seizing as a great prize my
rather formidable parcel of letters of introduction.
This was near causing me to be detained until the next
diligence ; but the commissionaire succeeded in getting
them sent up to the inspector in another part of the
town, upon whom we called, when after due explana-
tion had been made, and one or two of the letters
read, they were formally delivered back to me.
I can tell you what a French diligence is like. It
is just like one of the railroad cars (about three apart-
ments) of the Harlem railroad, for example, mounted
on coach wheels; the horses are small, lean, shaggy,
and ugly; some seven of these beasts are fastened,
three abreast and one for a leader, with ropes to the
said diligence; but how such beasts contrive to draw
such a cumbrous vehicle, loaded with seventeen per-
sons and their baggage, besides a driver and conduc-
tor, I don’t well understand, although the beasts are
changed every five or six miles; but somehow we got
over the ground pretty fast, and came to Paris, over
one hundred and forty miles, in a little less than
thirty hours, although it rained all the first day and
part of the second, and the roads extremely muddy.
We arrived just before nightfall at Montreuil, a fine
old fortified French town situated on the summit of a
hill and overlooking a broad valley, which in summer
must be quite beautiful; here we dined, and were
charged four franes each for dinner, besides sous to
the garcon. I slept pretty well in the night, during
which we passed Abbéville, where there is said to be
ET. 28.] TO THE MISSES TORREY. 157
a fine church. We breakfasted at the queer old town
of Beauvais, where there is a fine cathedral, of which
I had a pretty good view. My breakfast (déjeuner
a la fourchette, which is the next thing to a dinner)
cost three and a half franes, for on this route you
meet with very English charges. I wished to say
something about the country, but have not room. Suf-
fice it to say that we passed through the town of St.
Denis late in the afternoon, where I did not even get
a glimpse of the very ancient cathedral, and arrived
at Paris just before nightfall. After dinner, in com-
pany with a fellow-passenger, a young Englishman, I
gratified a long-felt curiosity by strolling through the
Palais Royal and some of the principal streets of Paris.
On Sunday I attended church in the morning (after a
vain attempt to find the American Chapel) at the Rev.
Mr. Sayer’s English Episcopal Chapel, where I heard
a good sermon ; and in the evening at the Methodist
Chapel, where the Rev. Mr. Toase preached a truly ex-
cellent discourse from Jeremiah viii. 13. All the shops
were open just as on any other day, and the gardens
and parks were all crowded. This morning I went
down to the Jardin des Plantes, stopping by the way
to see the ancient church of Notre-Dame, where I heard
a portion of the Catholic service chanted. oie
last, after looking at many other buildings sin iets
of curiosity, about which I will tell you more presently,
I reached the garden, found Decaisne, who could
speak no English, and I almost no French; so he took
me to Adrien de Jussieu, who makes out to speak very
tolerable English, and to understand me pretty well.
I left soon to call on Mr. Webb, ! who is an English-
1 Philip Barker Migs 1793-1854 ; a “ distinguished English bota-
nist residing in Pari vast and varied knowledge. He =i
one of the largest ecb, bequeathed to the Duke of Tuscan
A. G.
158 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
man, for whom I had a letter from Hooker; thence
after looking in vain for “appartements garnis” in
Rue de l’Odéon, Place de ’Odéon, ete., I secured my
lodgings here, where I shall be obliged to hear nothing
but French, and where I hope I may catch some of
the language, and after dining at the ordinary at the
Hotel de Lille, where English is spoken, I transferred
myself to my present quarters. But my sheet is full.
I will give you another very soon. Till then, mes
cheéres petites sceurs, adieu.
Wednesday evening, March 20. —I must continue
my letter to you on a large sheet of thin French paper,
else I shall have a larger bill of postage to pay than
will be altogether convenient when I send to Havre.
I did not write last evening; I had no fire in my room,
and after running about all day over streets paved
with little square blocks of stone, which it is very
fatiguing to walk over, I came home fairly tired, and
went to bed soon after nine o’clock. Except calling
on M. Delessert, for whom I had a letter and a small
parcel from Hooker, and whom I did not find at home,
I spent the whole day in looking about the town, see-
ing sights, ete. My first call was at the Louvre, a
large and splendid palace, where I spent an hour or
two in the vast gallery of paintings, which fill a very
large salon and a long gallery, I suppose five hundred
or six hundred feet long, connecting the Louvre with
the palace of the Tuileries. . . .
To-day I have been wholly occupied at the Jardin
des Plantes. Fortunately for me Jussieu speaks a
little English, so I can get on with him pretty well.
But you would have been amused at the attempts
which M. Decaisne and M. Gaudichaud! and myself
1 Beaupré Charles Gaudichand, 1780-1854; French botanist. Went
v
z= reer
BY. 28.) TO THE MISSES TORREY. 159
made to understand each other. Still more amused
would you have been to see how I managed to make
a bargain with a bookseller for a few books I wished
to purchase. IJ feel the want of French sadly, and
have no time for study.
Thursday evening. —I have been again occupied
the whole day at the Jardin des Plantes, and went at
six o'clock to dine with Mr. Webb to meet M. Gay.!
Webb had taken care to ask an English student also,
who speaks French much better than he does English,
who sat between Gay and myself and interpreted when
it became necessary. But Gay speaks a little of what
will pass for English, mixed here and there with
French, so that I got on very well indeed.
Gaudichaud was also there, a very interesting man
if one could talk with him. We were kept rather late,
so that it is now past twelve, so I must bid you good-
night.
Monday evening. . . . At three o’clock I went to
the Institute. I found that the room was already
crowded. I inquired for Jussieu and Brongniart, the
only members I could think of that I knew, but they
were not there and therefore I could not get in. After
some time Jussieu came in. But it was then too late,
so I lost the object for which I had given up half the
day. Jussieu, however, took me into the library, which
is worth seeing. I employed the remaining hour or
so in pinvhaeiap some prints of remarkable buildings,
ete., in Paris, and I was also tempted to buy a few
engravings from some of the great masters. After
dinner I went to Mr. Webb’s, where I looked at plants
round the world in the Bonite, and published the Botany of the ex-
pedition.
1 Jaeques Gay, died 1863. Born in Switzerland, and a pupil of
Gaudin.
160 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
for a few hours. He gave me also some autographs
of celebrated botanists, and a few old botanical
books. ...
Friday evening, March 29. ... The Garden of
Plants was nearly on my way home ; so I stopped there,
worked for an hour (till five o'clock), went home
(home, indeed !), took my dinner, found myself most
thoroughly tired as well as hungry, having had no
breakfast but a small roll of bread I obtained near
the cemetery; had a fire kindled in my room, and
commenced writing to you. Just now the little daugh-
ter of the concierge, a little girl of six or seven, who
often waits upon me, has brought me a cup of coffee,
which I have enjoyed greatly, and now feel much re-
stored. French children are all pretty and graceful,
and I am making the little girl’s acquaintance as fast
as I can; for it is difficult for me to understand her
(it seems odd to hear such a little thing speak
French), and in answer to some of my attempts to
speak French to her, she answers, “ Je n’entends pas
anglais, monsieur.’
What great lies the French newspapers tell! Yes-
terday morning the paper I was reading at my break-
fast stated that one of the gardeners who had charge
of the bears at the Jardin des Plantes descended into
the inclosure for some purpose, and was seized by the
bears, killed immediately, and almost eaten up before
help was obtained. So when I arrived at the garden
I of course spoke to Decaisne about it, who was
greatly surprised, for it seems the story was entirely
a fabrication.
I see I have at length filled this large sheet, so I
must say adieu for the present, but hope to-morrow
evening to begin another. Ever I remain,
Your attached,
Oo wmonr eng EE EEE hy
a ee ee
ET. 28.] - TO MRS. TORREY. 161
TO MRS. TORREY.
Wednesday evening. . . . There is little danger of
my being spoiled in Paris by being overpolished. In
London one must take care to be always comme il
faut. There I took pains to keep myself rather spruce,
which I have continued here from the mere force of
habit!!! But gentlemen in Paris dress anyhow ; they
don’t pay half the attention to the matter it receives
in England; with the ladies it is perhaps different,
but here I scarcely ever see ladies except in the
streets or shops and restaurants! At the houses of
botanists I have only seen Mme. Gay, a very plain
and good-natured Swiss lady. As to parlez-vous-ing,
it is not such an easy matter, I assure you. You would
laugh most heartily to see me in the botanic gallery
of the Jardin des Plantes, endeavoring to carry on
a conversation with Gaudichaud or Decaisne; the
former of whom can scarcely read English, and the
latter can speak only a dozen words. I get out, with
no little difficulty, a few sentences of such French as
has not been heard since the days of King Pepin, I
am sure; and when that fails me I write in English,
which Decaisne can read, and make him write in
French in return, or else for short sentences speak
very slowly and distinctly. From my ignorance of
the language I am obliged to take great pains when I
wish to purchase anything from the shops ; for it is
customary to put on an additional price to English
customers. Fortunately my complexion and the style
of my countenance are so far French that before I
speak I am generally taken for a native, and I some-
times manage to make purchases without saying a
word beyond a monosyllable. So I have to be very
careful to avoid being cheated; but I am every day
acquiring more knowledge and experience.
162 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
I have been seized with a mania for collecting
prints on a small scale, and shall send home some
very good ones, —to adorn my parlor and study at
Michigan, of course! There are astonishing quanti-
ties to be found here. I am endeavoring to get all
the portraits of botanists I can, and from this I have
been led to pick up ancient ones, which show the early
state of the art or old-fashioned costumes, ete., and
also a few choice engravings from the old masters; but
most of these I can obtain better in Italy or Germany.
Tell Dr, Torrey not to be alarmed, for I shall not
spend much money upon them.
As a general thing Paris is not very beautiful. But
there are some magnificent sights, I assure you. At
odds and ends of time I have already seen. most of the
ordinary sights which attract the attention of travelers,
but must leave all account of them for the journal from
Paris, which so far is addressed to the girls, though I
fear it will scarcely interest them or any one else. . . .
Decaisne has given me separate copies of his
papers. He is now publishing a most splendid (bo-
tanically speaking) memoir upon the order Lardi-
zabalex, in which I see he has found out some things
which have been known to Brown only, for a long time.
He will give us copies, I dare say. He is one of the
best botanists here. I like Gaudichaud also very
much.
I iniee _ finished the examination of Michaux’s
herbarium, which has proved worth looking over. I
shall write the doctor more particularly, indeed have
already begun a letter for him. Mr. Webb showed me
last evening a letter from Hooker, which contains a
good deal of botanical intelligence for himself and me.
The British Antarctic expedition, he says, is to sail
/
ET. 28.] TO THE MISSES TORREY. 163
positively in August, and Joseph is to go. I wonder
if they will be two years or so in getting off! ...
TO THE MISSES TORREY.
Paris, April 1, 1839, Monday evening.
My pear Girts, — It is rather late, and I have no
fire in my room, to which I have just now returned,
but it is nearly comfortable without one, and so we
will have a few words together before I sleep. My
last and long sheet was closed, I think, on Friday
evening. On Saturday my morning was spent as
usual at the Jardin des Plantes; returning from
whence I looked along the shops and so on to the
Pont du Louvre, which I crossed ; passed through the
Palais Royal at the most busy season, when it is all
lighted up splendidly, and dined at the Restaurant
Dotieet at half past seven. Iam patiently exploring
CI should say eating) my way through the mazes of
French cookery, and am trying to select from the
complicated bill of fare the more peculiar and national
dishes, some of which are excellent, others so-so, or
very poor. . .
To-day I lave been again at the Garden, working
as hard as possible, since a have so little time remain-
ing. I dined at half past six at one of the famous
restaurants, just to see how it was managed, and re-
turning spent the early part of the evening with Mr.
Webb, who lives near me.
On my way from the Garden, I stopped at another
church, I believe the only remaining one of large size
and much interest which I had not already seen. . . .
It is called St. Severin, and is very old, having been
built in the year 1210.
This is the first of April, and a fine spring day it
164 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
has been, though the season is little more advanced than
at New Yuck. In two weeks I must be again upon
the wing, and shall soon meet the summer. a want to
see the south of France and sunny Italy. Adieu.
Tuesday evening, April 2. — I intended to have had
time this evening to write several letters, but Decaisne
has been with me, and did not leave until almost
twelve, we had so much to talk about. I have been
the morning at the Garden; have worked very
hard, indeed, and have nearly finished there. To-
morrow is like to be a broken day, as I have made an
engagement to see Dr. Montagne! and his microscope
at twelve o’clock, which will take an hour or two out
of the very best part of the day. I will try to turn
the fragments of the day to some account. But now
good-night.
“ To each, to all, a fair good-
o
night,
And pleasing dreams, and slumbers light.’’
Monday evening, April 8. . Saturday was a little
more diversified. I went at aio o’clock in the morn-
ing to Professor Richard’s,? who lives near me, exam-
a some plants of Michaux, then took my breakfast,
went to the Garden for three or four hours, but returned
at two o’clock to see the Chamber of Peers in session,
M. Gay having provided me with a ticket of admit-
tance, which procured me a very good seat. The mem-
bers all wear a kind of court dress, the military peers
swords, and those who have them display the insignia
of the order of the Legion of Honor, and so forth.
Several new peers were admitted, but before they
1 Jean F. Camille Montagne, 1784-1865; surgeon in the French
army. Retired in 1830, and devoted himself to cryptogamic botany.
? Achille Richard, 1794-1852 ; professor of botany in the Ecole de
Médecine, Paris; son of L. Claude Richard.
St
a i eae
ET, 28.] TO THE MISSES TORREY. 165
were introduced, a number of peers made some remarks
which could not have been very flattering to them, the
creation of a new batch just at this time having given
much dissatisfaction to the old ones. Among others,
I heard a little speech from the famous Marshal Soult.
Lord Brougham, who is now in Paris, was present. I
recognized him across the room by his homely face,
which he is in the habit of twitching and contorting
incessantly, as if it pained him. He seemed to listen
with much attention.
In the evening I paid a visit to Mr. Spach,! looked
over plants and so forth until ten o’clock, returned
shivering with cold, for the weather here is like March
in New York. I am now sitting by a large fire, and
yet I am shivering.
Tuesday evening, April 9.— In the morning went
to hear Mirbel? lecture at the Sorbonne; he speaks
so distinctly that I understood him tolerably well in
general. The lecture-room is old and incommodious,
rather better, to be sure, than the accommodation for
the students of the university in the olden time, when
they used to sit upon straw spread in the streets,
but certainly not very fine. I went afterward to the
Ecole de Médecine; heard the professor of anatomy
for a few minutes ; came away, saw two or three books
that I wanted in a stall belonging to a shop, priced
them ; found the price much higher than I intended
to give, so I named the price I would give ; was amused
with the perseverance of the very genteel madame,
who reduced her price down to within seven francs o
1 Edouard Spach, 1801-1879; native of Strasburg, many years
keeper of the herbarium at the Jardin des Plantes.
? Charles Francois Brisseau Mirbel, 1776-1854; one of the most
distinguished vegetable anatomists of the age. His earliest publica-
tion in 1801,
166 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
my offer, and then labored hard to make me take
them. I advanced one france, but utterly refused to
give a soumore. ‘“ Vous n’étes pas raisonnable,” says
madame. “Je suis trés raisonnable,” I replied, “ mais
votre prix n’est pas raisonnable.” So I left the shop,
madame very coolly replacing the books on the shelf,
with one eye turned toward me to see if I would re-
lent. I had got some distance down the street when
the boy came running after me, to say that I might
have the books, “ mais ils sont tres bon marché.” So
much for the way you are obliged to make bargains
here. Went to the Garden, returned to dine here,
paid a little visit to Mr. Webb, and must write the
remainder of the evening.
Thursday evening, April 11.—My approaching de-
arture makes it a very busy time for me. Let me
recollect what I did yesterday. 1 went first to Baron
Delessert’s; studied in his magnificent library until
about one o’clock ; then visited my banker, who is near,
drew some money ; then to a bookseller to arrange some
matters about our “ Flora” (which I failed to do) ;
went to the Bibliotheque du Roi, where they have
miles of books and acres of manuscripts, but as it was
not a public day, I did not see half that I wished. I
have made arrangements, however, for a future day.
I went next to the post office, and took a place in the
malle-post (which is very much quicker than the dili-
gence) for Lyons, to go on Monday; so that the
time of my departure is pretty well fixed. I next
went to learn the time of the departure of the car-
riages for Sevres and Versailles, which places I intend
to visit to-morrow. Then I met Chevalier, the opti-
cian, by appointment, to consult about microscopes
or an hour or two. ... Called on M. Gay, with
ET. 28.] TO THE MISSES TORREY. 167
whom I found M. Boissier, a Swiss botanist whom I
had often seen at the Garden, and also August St.
Hilaire,! who returned but a few days since from
Montpellier.
On reaching my room at half past ten, I found a
note from Mr. Webb, saying that M. Spach had a
message for me from Mirbel, and asking me to call if
I had time; went immediately, but was too late ;
Webb had gone to bed. Returned, arranged ac-
counts, etc., and went to bed myself.
To-day I have been, if possible, still more busy ; at
least I have accomplished more, though I made a bad
beginning. The concierge promised to call me at
eight, but I awoke myself at nine. Consequently it
was past ten before I made my first call, which was
upon Mr. Webb, to know when I was to see Mirbel.
I called next upon Dr. Montagne to get a letter to the
chief curator of the Bibliotheque du Roi, which should
afford me the opportunity of seeing this, the largest
library in the world, on a private day, namely, Mon-
day, the only public day while I stay being Friday,
when I have something else to do. Eh bien. I went
next to the Louvre, and saw the other and best half of
that most magnificent gallery, my passport giving me
aready admittance. . . . Suffice it to say I saw very
much to admire — some things that I greatly admired
— very much I did not allow myself time enough to be-
come interested in, as well as many works of the old
fellows that one likes to say he has setn.... Again in
a cabriolet to the Ecole de Médecine ; looked through
the museum, which was to-day open to the public ; saw
1 —— de St. Hilaire, ecg Accompanied the Duke fi
Luxembourg on his voyage to Brazil, where he spent six years, an
published a Flora of Brazil, 1825, cenit many other works.
168 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
for a moment the examination of a batch of candi-
dates for a vacant professorship by concours; also
the examination of students in the same way ; then I
visited the Musée Dupuytren, —a sergical museum of
great extent; then went to the [le St. Louis (oppo-
site the Garden) to call on M. de St. Hilaire; not at
home, so I saved a little time. Next to the Garden ;
looked on my way at the animals, the hyenas, lions,
giraffe, monkeys, etc., besides a few large snakes ; then
ealled at Mirbel’s rooms, who took a great deal of
trouble to show me most curious things in vegetable
anatomy, but of this I will write to your good papa,
who will care much more for it than you. After this
I saw Decaisne for a few minutes at the botanical
gallery ; took one of the young lads with me; saw the
mineralogical cabinet and that of fossils, which occupy
a new and most beautifully arranged gallery. Here
I saw many of the famous things I have heard so
much of. In the vestibule to this gallery they are
preparing a pedestal for a fine and large statue of
Cuvier. I went next to Jussieu’s house, talked with
him for a few minutes, and bid him good-by. On
my way home stopped at Ballitre’s, the bookseller, to
transact some business; home; dined at half past
seven ; went to Webb’s, where I like to go of an even-
ing, as I get a good cup of tea (no common thing in
Paris), which, after such a day’s work, was very grate-
ful, I assure you; remained until half past nine; re-
turned here, todk up my pen, and voici the result ;
and if I do not write plainly and neatly, it is no great
wonder, and I trust you will excuse it, for I have
other writing to do also this evening. Besides, I must
rise at seven, as I expect another very busy day. On
my return this evening, 1 found a polite note from
ae —_——
ee ™ iia
ET, 28.] JOURNAL. 169
Delessert ! accompanying a magnificent present, no
less than a copy of three volumes of the “ Icones Se-
lect.” An invitation for Saturday evening from M.
and Mme. Delessert came with it. Iam alenedy en-
gaged to dinner, at half past six, for the same day.
JOURNAL.
Saturday morning, half past seven. — [ After an ac-
count of a visit to Versailles, he goes on:] Now bid-
ding adieu to all this most interesting ground, I took
up my march, on foot and alone, for St. Germain,
distant about four miles. From the heights of Lou-
veciennes I obtained the first view of the Seine and
the lovely and broad valley through which it winds.
Here I passed the remains of an elevated and striking
aqueduct which conveyed water to a royal chateau
which formerly stood in the neighborhood, and also,
I believe, to the village of Marly, through which I
passed a little farther on. Then descending rapidly,
I reached again the banks of the Seine, the terrace
of St. Germain being directly before me. It was
now three o’clock. The steep hill was to be ascended
by a winding road, and being somewhat leg-weary,
I stopped a passing countryman’s cart; the lad who
was driving readily gave me a seat by his side, and
thus I rode into St. Germain. The lad was quite in-
telligent, and answered all my questions (when he
understood me) very readily. He set me down close
by the chateau. I gave him ten sous for his trouble,
and we parted on good terms with each other. The
chateau of St. Germain, which was a chief royal resi-
dence before Versailles was built, is more interesting
1 Baron Benjamin Delessert, 1773-1847 ; neh financier and
philanthropist. Associated with De ees in ae publication of
the Icones Selecte.
170 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
to us as the place where the Stuarts kept their petty
court so many years. Itis now converted into a mili-
tary penitentiary, and I was not anxious to examine
the interior, as I am informed scarce any of the
original apartments or furniture remain. The exte-
rior is striking, quite of the old style, built of the
same red bricks as the central portion of Versailles.
What is most worth seeing here is the terrace, a beau-
tiful park, extending for almost two miles along the
brow of the high ridge, with the most beautiful view
from it of the valley beneath and before you, the hills
that bound your view, and the numerous villages scat-
tered here and there. D. F. L. von Schlechtendal, 1784-1866. University of Halle.
— of the Linnea and Botanische Zeitung.
® Christian Schkuhr, 1741-1811. History of Carices, 1802.
268 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
TO WILLIAM J. HOOKER.
Lonpon, September 13.
My pear Frrenp, — The “ penny postage system”
not being yet in operation, [ embrace an opportunity
that offers to send you a line in Pamphlin’s par-
cels. I am again in London, you see; indeed I have
been here about a week. But it is only to-day that I
have had intelligence of your return to Scotland. I
had some hopes that I should find you in London on
my arrival, or that you would return here from
Chatham, and that I should have the gratification of
seeing you once more. I received your welcome letter
of August 14th, at Berlin, for which I thank you much.
I wish my friends at home were half as prompt cor-
respondents. While on the Continent I have received
precious few letters.
I have been much interested at Berlin, and worked
hard. The herbarium of Willdenow is larger and in
better condition than I supposed, and the gen-
eral herbarium is very interesting and rich. Klotzsch!
is very industrious, and has got the whole collection in
much better order than most of the herbaria on the
Continent. I am under great obligations to Dr.
Klotzsch, who not only afforded me every facility at
the Herbarium, but most cheerfully aided me in every
possible way, and during a transient illness (for I
was confined to my room for a week or so, and to my
bed for a few days) he procured for me the best med-
ical advice, and took a great deal of trouble on my
account.
I lost some time by this, but fortunately I had nearly
finished my work at the Herbarium, and afterwards
1 Dr. J. H. Klotzsch, 1805-1860; keeper of the Royal Herbarium
at Berlin.
7. 28.] TO WILLIAM J. HOOKER. 269
I had a few days to finish, and to look at Kunth’s!
herbarium, with which I was rather disappointed.
Kunth was extremely polite and attentive to me. He
is at work upon the third volume of his “ Enumeratio,”
but I fear it will not be very well done. I saw Ehren-
berg? frequently, and Link? once or twice, but nearly
all my time was spent at Schonberg, where the Bo-
tanie Garden and Herbarium are stuabed: which is
nearly a half hour’s ride from the city. The garden
is much the finest, in Germany, and the government
annually expends very large sums upon it. The build-
ing exclusively devoted to the herbarium is very com-
modious, though Klotzsch begins to complain that he
has not sufficient room. It is so far from town that
there are no loungers there, and one may study per-
feetly undisturbed. I brought a few things for you
from Klotzsch and Link, which Pamphlin is to send
to-morrow.
Having lost some time by illness I did not go to
Rostock, a most out-of-the-world place, although I
suppose I shall hereafter regret that I did not see
Lamarck’s herbarium.
I spent several days at Hamburg, saw Lehmann, his
herbarium, and the botanic garden; and took steam-
boat for London. Since my return I have been busily
occupied in the city, completing some purchases for
1 Karl Sigismund Kunth, 1788-1850. Appointed professor of bot-
any at Berlin, 1819. Author of Enumeratio Plantarum and other well-
known descriptive :
* Christian Gottfried ee 1794-1876. Berlin. Student of
the microscope, and author of works on the lower forms of plants and
animals.
8 Heinrich Friedrich Link, 1767-1851. Professor at Breslau, then
at Berlin. Wrote Anatomy of Plants and Elements of Botanical Phil-
hy.
270 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839,
the Michigan University, and shall be mostly thus
employed ae ing the remainder of my stay. .
19th Bentenaee, —I saw Dr. Richardson ‘ithe day
before yesterday, who informed me that the Erebus
was still lying at Chatham, and (what I was not
aware of) that I could reach Chatham in three or
four hours. So I arranged at once to go down and
see Joseph before he started, but the next day I
learned that the vessels had dropped down from that
rt.
I expect to sail in the Toronto from Portsmouth on
the Ist October. ... I have yet very much to do.
Yesterday I dined with Dr. Lindley and visited the
Garden. One wing of the conservatory is erected
and nearly covered with glass. It is entirely glass
and iron, about 130 feet long, and will be very fine.
. Believe me, my very dear friend, most truly
yours,
A. Gray.
New York, 5th November, 1839.
My pear Fatuer, — Through the favors of a kind
Providence, my journey is safely brought to a close.
I am happy to inform you that I reached New York
last evening in the ship Toronto, after a passage of
thirty-five days. I left London on the last of Sep-
tember, and Portsmouth on the Ist ult. The steam-
ship Great Western, which left on the 19th of last
month, reached New York two days before us! Our
voyage was a rather pleasant one, although we had
nearly forty passengers. It was rather rough, but no
very hard gales. I was sea-sick but a single day, and
then but slightly. I have brought with me nearly the
full amount of my purchases of “books for the Michi-
ET, 28.] TO HIS FATHER. 271
gan library, a large collection. I am waiting to hear
from Detroit to know whether it will be necessary for
me to go up there this fall. I hope I shall not be
obliged to make this journey until spring. I shall
not come up to see you until I hear from Michigan,
when I can take Sauquoit in my way if it be neces-
sary to go to Michigan. I am now busy in getting
my boxes and parcels through the custom-house, which
is a tedious business. I hope I shall be allowed to
remain here during the winter, as I have a great deal
to do here.
I find here a letter from my friend Dana, of the Ex-
ploring Expedition, dated Valparaiso. He seems not
very well satisfied with his situation. I have not
heard from any of you for a full year. Perhaps one
of my sisters will favor me with a letter now that I
am so near. Love to all.
CHAPTER IV.
A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME.
1840-1850.
On Dr. Gray’s return from Europe, the University
of Michigan not yet needing his services, he settled
in New York to work on the “Flora of North
America.” !
In 1841 he made his first journey to the mountains
of North Carolina, of which he wrote an account in the
“American Journal of Science ” in the form of a
letter to Sir William Hooker.
The country west of the Mississippi was just now
opened to exploration, and for some years continued
to afford an immense amount of new material to the
botanist. Dr. Gray, and his friends Dr. Torrey and
Dr. Engelmann especially, interested themselves in
sending collectors with the various expeditions, ex-
plorations, boundary surveys, etc., and were kept very
hard at work in studying and distributing the several
collections as they came in. The difficulties of com-
munication were great, postage was very dear, and
the post-office rule that sheets, no matter of what
size, could be sent as one letter, while the addition of
1A Flora of North America; containing abridged — of
Do
and Asa Gray. New York. Svo; vol. i., 1838-1 840, pp. xvi, 711;
vol. ii., 1841-1843, pp. 504.
zr. 29.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 273
any separate inclosure was utterly forbidden, added
difficulties almost insurmountable to the transmission
of any specimen. Even as late as 1850 the large
parcels from St. Louis were sent by steamboat to New
Orleans and then by sailing vessel to New York or
Boston. :
Foreign communication was not much better, as Dr.
Gray writes to Sir William Hooker in March, 1840:
“TI have been waiting during the winter to write by
some of the steamships, but they have disappointed
us, and, though long expected, none reached us until
the arrival of the Great Western a week or more
since, which brought us fifty-six days’ later intelli-
gence from Europe.”
TO W. J. HOOKER.
New York, May 30, 1840.
I have been tolerably industrious for some years,
but have never labored as I have done this winter
and spring. But I look now for a little respite, which
I greatly need. I have this afternoon written the de-
scription of the last plant we have to give in the Ist
volume of the “ Flora” (a new cucurbitaceous genus,
of which more anon); have prepared the last sheet
for the press, —that is, of the work proper, which
reaches to page 656 instead of 550, as intended ; and
have before me proofs of the supplement extending to
page 672; what is yet to come will make up the
volume to 720 pages! It has extended beyond all
calculations or bounds, but we could not stop short. I
hope to have done with the proofs early next week,
when I expect to go immediately into the country and
recruit for three or four weeks, for I am quite fagged
out. Except, however, mere fatigue and the usual
274 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. _ (1840,
consequences of loss of rest, I was never, perhaps,
more perfectly in health, and a fortnight or so of
botanizing will restore my strength. You kindly in-
quire about my plans and prospects. These are so far
favorable that they will give me (D. V.) another year
of nearly undivided attention to the “ Flora.” Not long
since I was officially informed that the opening of our
university would be postponed another year, on ac-
count of unfavorable times, and the preparations not
being sufficiently advanced. So I am told that I can
have my time nearly all to myself until next spring
(1841) if I wish (which of course I do), but without
any salary, which, indeed, I could not with any pro-
priety take while I perform no duty. By very close
economy I think I shall get on for the year to come,
and be able to accomplish a good deal of botanical.
work. I am going to pay the Michigan people a
visit, and if they make good their promises made to
me a year ago, as I have reason to think they will,
their course towards me will have been liberal and
honorable. I have good reason to hope they will
eventually succeed in their plans.
By the London packet of the 15th of June we hope
to send you and other friends some copies of the
“Flora,” parts 3 and 4. There are so many errors, so
much bad printing, and so many things that we could
now do much better, that I regret that any portion was
published before my visit to Europe. Many of the
most important corrections are given with additions,
etc., in a supplement, but I hope we shall continue to
improve as we go on. We can work to much greater
advantage than before, from being much better sup-
plied with books, as well as with specimens and in-
formation. Yet often do I wish to be within reach of
BT. 29.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 275
your herbarium and library. Long accustomed to
these advantages, you can scarcely appreciate the diffi-
culties we often find. I was to-day wishing for a
look at your Cucurbitacez ; we have, as you know,
but few of the order.
I shall not be able to visit Florida or any part of
the Southern States this summer; indeed, I fear I
shall be debarred from any botanical journeys for some
years. I must direct all my time and strength to our
“ Flora.” I hope we may complete another volume
by the spring of next year. The way seems to be
opening for increased facilities in sending a botanical
collector to the Rocky Mountains. Our government is
about to establish a line of military outposts quite up
to the source of the Platte, in the principal pass of
the mountains; and in a few years I doubt not we
shall have small colonies in Oregon ; but I know not
when we shall be able to send a collector. I would
like vastly to go after Grayia myself, but that cannot
be at present. Nuttall has been giving a course of
botanical lectures in Boston; and still remains there,
I believe. My attempts to find Wilson’s poem have
not yet been successful. I shall esteem it a piece of
good fortune if I succeed. I have engaged a friend
of mine, a bookseller, also to search for it ; and when
I visit Philadelphia I shall inquire of some old people
who knew Wilson. May God bless you, my dear
friend; kindest regards and affectionate sympathies
to Lady Hooker. Faithfully your attached
A. Gray.
276 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. [1840,
TO ALPHONSE DE CANDOLLE.
New York, September 15, 1840.
My pear Frienp. ... I had not forgotten our
conversation on the subject of geographical botany.
On my return I found I had a copy, a mere proof, of
the little article I spoke of, and was about to offer it
to you, but on examination it appeared to me much
less important than I had supposed and perhaps led
you to expect. But as it may be of some little use, I
now beg you to accept it. I have added, here and
there, the scientific names when the popular names
only were mentioned.
The question you suggest as to the effect of the de-
struction of the forests on the climate is very inter-
esting, and I think still unanswered. I fear it will be
next to impossible to obtain data, even in this country,
for its satisfactory determination. There are very
few thermometrical observations on record of suffi-
cient extent or exactness, except for the last eight or
ten years. For a year or two I shall not be able to
pay any attention to these subjects except to collect
materials. But I am very desirous to afford you any
aid in my power, and will attend to any suggestions
you make, obtain any data which come in my way, or
secure the services of our botanical correspondents
scattered throughout our extended country. Pray tell
me how I can aid you. The annual reports of the
regents of the University of the State of New York
are documents submitted annually to our legislature,
and printed at their expense for public use. They
relate chiefly to the condition of our colleges and
higher schools, but for six or perhaps nine years past
have also embodied the results of the meteorological
observations made throughout the State under their
.
.
.
ET. 29.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 2TT
instructions. The “ Reports” are not on sale, and the
earlier numbers are not to be obtained except by some
lucky chance. .
The 3d and 4th atts of our “ Flora,” of which you
speak so favorably, were sent to you through Baron
Delessert, as I have already apprised you. By the
time this work is completed we shall have settled
somewhat accurately the geographical range of our
plants, and have laid a good foundation for the com-
parison of our flora with that of other regions, etc.
We shall soon begin to print the “ Composite,’”’ and
I trust in early spring we may see the second volume
nearly or quite completed. Pray send me sometimes
loose sheets of your articles or notices (those of your
father and yourself) in the “ Bibliothéque Univer-
selle.” I will sometimes translate them, if you do not
object, or otherwise notice them, for the ‘“ American
Journal of Science and Arts.”
TO W. J. HOOKER.
New Yors, 15th January, 1841.
The dedication of the “ Flora” we felt to be both
a privilege and a duty; its favorable reception on your
part gives us real pleasure.
I hope I have not offended Link by overstating his
age. Iam pretty sure I was so informed by Klotzsch
who ought to know. You will now and then see some
little articles or notices of mine in “ Silliman’s Jour-
nal.” I prepare these notices merely to awaken and
deepen the interest of our scattered botanists and
lovers of plants, most of whom see that journal, and
few of whom have any other means of knowing what
is going on in the botanical world. We have, how-
ever, a few promising fellows who take the “Journal
278 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. [1841,
of Botany” or something of the kind. Should I
have anything to communicate of interest to any other
than our local botanists, I shall publish of course un-
der my own name. You will receive with this a little
notice of some European herbaria, which, common-
place as it must be on your side of the water, is useful
to our own people. I have been as brief as I could,
and have taken the pains to drop the first person sin-
gular. I am not sure but I have already sent you a
copy through Mr. Pamphlin. Poor Rafinesque,! you
know, perhaps, is dead; and I have attempted the
somewhat ungracious task of giving some account of
his botanical writings, which I will send you when
printed.
I find that Townsend, Nuttall’s companion, pub-
lished, while I was abroad, an account of their jour-
ney. I have never seen a copy, and am told it is out
of print; but I must try to find a copy for you.
Townsend being poor, Nuttall waived his intention of
publishing in his favor. I have heard that Townsend
wishes to make a journey as collector of birds, plants,
ete. I wish he would go to the southern Rocky
Mountains, and trace them into New Spain. Nuttall
has brought home the Grayia. Have you ever received
any more of Nuttall’s plants, or has Boott? He is
selling them to different persons for ten dollars per °
hundred ; just such specimens as you received through
Boott, or sometimes much better and more copious ones.
I have some of his Composite in my hands, which Webb
has ordered. He has a considerable number of Oregon
1 S. Constantine Rafinesque-Schmaltz, d. 1840. A Sicilian by birth.
First arrived in the United States, 1802, for three years; returned
in 1815, and explored ve Alleghanies and Southern States. “ An
orem Page certainly gifted personage, connected with the natural
history of this country i the last thirty-five years ’’ [A.G.].
7, 30.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 279
and Californian Composite which Douglas did not get
(and he failed to meet with many of Douglas’s), and
others in the States; as Pyrrocoma with rays. Nuttall
ought to send all these to you. . . . I know with con-
siderable accuracy what plants (Composite) are de-
siderata with you; and | will take the liberty of
writing at once to Nuttall, and asking for such in
your name. I shall ask for about one hundred Com-
positze, and will extend the order to other plants if
you desire it. He has, however, distributed nothing
beyond Composite. Pray let me know at once if 1
have done rightly in this. . . .
mong Drummond’s Louisiana plants is the rarest
of all United States Composite, Stokesia cyanea. It
was pointed out tome by Arnott (J anuary, 1839), but
I have just examined Greene’s specimens. » as
New York, 20th May, 1841.
I have diligently labored about four months at As-
ter, in which, as I have after all not satisfied myself,
I can scarcely hope to satisfy others; but I do think
I have laid a foundation for the student of the species
in their wild state. We had very copious materials,
but could have done little in comparison without the
aid of your collection, for which we cannot be too
grateful. Jam now occupied with Solidago, which is
difficult enough, no doubt, but not to be compared
with Aster in this respect, partly because there are
fewer species, and the synonymy much less involved,
but chietly because there are few in cultivation.
We rejoice to hear that Joseph and the Antarctic
Expedition are getting on so well. :
No further tidings of the steamship President! We
have not until now surrendered all hope. One of the
280 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. _ [1841,
passengers, a stranger to me, but an acquaintance of a
friend of mine, had charge of a small aga for you,
consisting chiefly of proof sheets.
October 15, 1841.
I will send by the next London packet (Que-
bee) and write more at leisure. I have to-day sent
on board that ship a box for Pamphlin, containing a
parcel of plants for you (all of any consequence of
my small Carolina collection with some others). Few
as they are, I trust it will give me a pleasure I seldom
can enjoy — that of adding something to your her-
barium. Mr. Brydges likes also for you the proofs of
a gossiping article on the botany of the southern
Alleghanies, ete., which I have taken the liberty to
address to you, and hope it will meet your approval.
I shall send you clean copies, as soon as they are
printed. The article will not appear here until the Ist
of January. I send you also some ripe seeds of
Diphylleia for your garden. I have live roots in
the care of a culiteabos: If they live shall send you
one in the spring.
I must not Sonpet to mention that my package also
comprises a set of Ohio Mosses from my friend Sulli-
vant, of whom I have often spoken, and of whom as a
botanist we have high hopes, as he has an independence
(for this country), talent, and much zeal. If not too
much trouble, I join with him in requesting you to
name them according to the numbers, by which you
will do him great service, as he designs to study and
collect American Musci especially.
7. 31.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 281
TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.
New York, November 30, 1841.
Dear Doctor, — Don’t hesitate about sending me
anything for fear I may already have it. Very many
plants pass through my hands while I am describing,
but my own herbarium is not very rich; and dupli-
cates will not oppress me. Mr. Carey does not keep
European plants except those identical, or supposed
identical, with North American species. Browne,
however, does, and I dare say would be glad to have
any you can give him. They are the gentlemen men-
tioned in the “ Flora.” .. .
Eupatorium Engelmannianum, sp. nov. Am. Bor.,
semina misit Engelmann. Can this be it, think
you? If so pray help me to it; and to anything else
you can, as I mean to give addenda et corrigenda to
the Composite at the end of the order, if I ever get
through this formidable job. No wonder seven years’
labor at them ruined De Candolle’s health. You know
he is dead? He died the 9th or 10th of September
Idet. 2. .
I send you my article in the January number of
“ Silliman’s Journal” with a little one by Sullivant,
—by mail. I am extremely busy this winter, but I
hope always to answer your letters promptly, and to
attend to your desires as well as I can, whence I beg
you to continue your useful correspondence.
March 50, 1842.
It is not a great while since I got all the copy
ready for the number of the “ Flora” now printing,
— during which I could do little else. Immediately
this was done I completed an arrangement with my
publishers for preparing a handsomely got up Intro-
282 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. [1842,
duction or Text-Book of Botany, for schools, lectures,
private students (medical, etc.), which must be out
on the 1st of May next. Owing to illness I have as
yet written almost nothing, and besides have to super-
intend all the drawings, as they must be made by
a person unacquainted with botany; and at the same
time I have to correct the proofs of about thirteen
sheets yet of the ‘ Flora,” so that I am almost dis-
tracted when I think how I am to accomplish it here,
where I have to see personally to almost every detail.
But I must do it, as I hope to lay the foundation for
a popular and — what is of consequence to me—a
profitable work.
TO W. J. HOOKER.
New York, 30th March, 1842.
The last steamship left Boston so soon after I re-
ceieved your kind letter that I was unable to answer
it by that conveyance. I intended to send this by the
Columbia steamer of the 2d prox.; but I learn that
having broken her shaft in the outward voyage she
is to sail back to England; when it comes to canvas
I have more confidence in our old liners, and there-
fore send by New York packet.
Have you not seen or heard of Nuttall yet? He
sailed for England on Christmas last, to take posses-
sion of property left him by some deceased relatives.
I should not feel a residence in Michigan as a ban-
ishment. Iam fond of a country life. But at pres-
ent I see almost no hopes of usefulness there. Like
all our new, and some of our old States, they have
squandered the means they once possessed and encum-
bered themselves almost irretrievably with debt. On
my return from Europe in the autumn of 1839, I
BY. 31.) TO W.J. HOOKER. 283
received a letter stating that they had nothing yet for
me to do, and permitting me to spend the winter in
New York. In the spring of 1840, a committee of the
regents wrote to me, to relinquish the provisional
salary (of fifteen hundred dollars, on which I had
been placed) for one year from that date, they relin-
quishing my services for that period and allowing me
to devote my time to the “ Flora,” ete. I at once ac-
cepted their proposal; but although another year has
now elapsed since the expiration of the period to
which they proposed to limit this agreement, not a
word have I heard officially or unofficially from Michi-
gan. I have quietly awaited the result, ready at any
moment to obey their call; but having no income for
the last two years, I have been greatly embarrassed,
and have struggled through great difficulties, I
scarcely know how. Notwithstanding, I have thought
until recently that I ought not to seek any other situa-
tion. I shall now write to Michigan immediately,
inquiring whether, in their present condition, they are
ready to fulfill their engagements with me, or whether
they would prefer to accept my resignation, which I
shall offer. I expect, and on the whole hope, they
will accept it.
In December, or nearly the Ist of January last, a
friend of mine here, who had some casual conversa-
tion with the President of Harvard University, wished
me to let my name be known as a candidate for the
vacant chair of natural history there. After reflecting
for a week or two, I wrote to B. D. Greene ! for some
1 Benjamin D. Greene, 1798-1862. First studied law; then medi-
cine in Seotland and Paris. Devoted himself to botany. “ His very
valuable herbarium and botanical library were bequeathed to the
Boston Natural History Society. He was always a most liberal and
wise patron of science ” [ A. G.].
284 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. [1842,
information on the subject, saying.that, if freed from
other engagements, I would like the botanical part of
the professorship, but not the zodlogy: and that the
former, with the charge and the renovation of the
Botanic Garden, would be quite enough for one.
In January I made a flying visit to Boston, where I
had never been, and knew no one personally but
Greene, to whom, and to Professor Bigelow,! I ex-
pressed my views; but we none of us expected that
anything would be done at present. I incidentally
learned, however, not long since, that the men of sci-
ence would generally be well pleased to have me at
Boston, and that some with whom I had almost no
acquaintance were using their influence to that end.
I was never more surprised, however, than this very
evening, when I received from President Quincy an
official letter, offering me the professorship provi-
sionally, with a small salary, to be sure, for the present,
but with only the duties of the botanical portion.
The president states that the endowment is $30,000,
yielding an income of $1,500, which, however, not
being adequate to constitute a full professor’s salary
on a permanent foundation, the corporation deem it
both their duty and the interest of the professorship
to continue for a few years, in a modified form, the
policy they have hitherto pursued, and by applying
one third of the income annually to the augmentation
of the capital, enable themselves to place the profes-
sor of natural history, at no distant period, on an
equal footing with the other professors of the univer-
sity. “To this end they propose to limit your duties,
in case you are willing to accept the professorship, to
1 Jacob Bigelow, M. D., 1787-1879; an eminent Boston physician;
author of the Florula Losiaibinats, 1814.
zr, 31.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 285
instruction and lecturing in botany, and to the super-
intendence generally of the Botanic Garden (which
they wish to renovate); limiting for the present your
annual salary to one thousand dollars ;” thus enabling
me, as the communication proceeds to say, to devote
all my time at present to my favorite pursuit, and to
go on with the labors I have in hand. I have reason
to hope, also, that by the time they are ready to give
me the full salary, the zodlogical part will be separated
from the professorship, with a distinct endowment.
The Botanic Garden has an endowment of $20,000.
If I should take this place, I should hope to see it
better endowed before long, and should immediately
set about the introduction of all the hardy trees and ~
shrubs, — and indeed to enrich it as fast as possible
with all the American and other plants that could be
procured. In that case, separated from yourself by
only fourteen to eighteen days’ navigation, I could
hope to be a useful correspondent to you at Kew,
and to show my gratitude for your continued kindness
‘to me. I must here conclude, by stating that the
president’s letter to me is to be deemed confidential,
in case I do not accept the offer. I must therefore
beg you to consider this letter likewise confidential,
until you hear further from me, which you may ex-
pect to do as soon as anything is settled in regard to
this matter. I am the less reluctant to leave New
York since our good friend Dr. Torrey is at Prince-
ton, New Jersey (only four hours from New York),
renting his house in town, where for the present
he will only remain during the winter. We have
worked so long together that I shall feel the separa-
tion greatly.
286 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. _ [1842,
New York, 30th May, 1842.
I have the pleasure to inform you that having ac-
cepted the offer from Harvard University of which I
apprised you in my letter of April 1, I was appointed
to the professorship on the 30th of April last. The in-
cessant occupation of this month has prevented me
from writing to you sooner, and still prevents me send-
ing anything beyond this hasty note. I hope in a week
or so to have my new text-book finished, when I shall
visit Cambridge to make the necessary arrangements
for my removal thither. I hope hereafter to be a use-
ful correspondent to you, in the way of supplying you
with seeds and living plants of our own country, and
-when I see what can be done with our Garden I shall
probably ask you to aid us. I wish to visit the moun-
tains of Carolina again, in autumn, to procure roots
and seeds. . . .
In the spring of 1842, as his last letter intimated,
Dr. Gray was appointed to the Fisher professorship
of natural history in Harvard College. He was then
thirty-one years old. He removed to Cambridge in
July, taking lodgings near the colleges at Deacon
unroe’s, on what is now James Street.
Before Dr. Gray came to Cambridge he had been
elected into the American Academy (November 10,
1841). He threw himself with the greatest interest
into its work. Scarcely any winter storm kept him
from its meetings ; all other engagements had to give
way. And when new life began in its publications,
many of his most important papers appeared in its
volumes.
He was also influential in establishing a scientific
club consisting of members of the college faculty an
#7. 31.] TO JOHN TORREY. 287
other friends in Cambridge. Of this, too, he was a most
aithful member. The dln’ met twice a month at the
houses of the different members in turn, and the one
at whose house it met was expected to bring forward
some subject, generally from his specialty, which later
was discussed and criticised. Many of the new inter-
ests in science were here first presented by Dr. Gray.
ong the founders and early members were,
Charles Beck, Francis Bowen, Admiral Davis, Epes
S. Dixwell, Edward Everett, President Felton, Asa
Gray, Simon Greenleaf, Thaddeus Mason Harris,
Joseph Lovering, Benjamin Peirce, Josiah Quincy,
Jared Sparks, Daniel Treadwell, James Walker, Jo-
seph E. Worcester, the lexicographer, and Morrill
Wyman, M. D. Later, among those no longer living,
were added at different times Louis Agassiz, Thomas
Hill, Joel Parker, Emory Washburn, and Joseph Win-
lock. The club is still in existence.
TO JOHN TORREY.
Boston, Monday, 25th July, 1842.
My pear Doctor, — Having time before the mail
closes to write a hurried letter, I hasten to let you
know that I have this morning secured lodgings at
Cambridge, at a retired house, off the main road,
about halfway between the colleges and the Garden.
For $3.00 per week, I have two rooms, one pretty large,
one moderate (of which I shall make a bedroom), a
small nearly dark bedroom which I shall shelve and
use for my herbarium, and three closets, furnished
decently (but not extravagantly !!), in a house where
there can at most be only one other lodger, and he
must ascend by a different staircase from mine, — the
rooms and bed linen, ete., to be kept in order.
288 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. [1842,
I am to board at an adjacent house, to which I have
access by a private gate through the garden. The latter
house belongs to Mrs. Peck (widow of my predeces-
sor), who boards there, and who I see has bestirred
herself to contrive and effect this arrangement. I am
to take possession next Monday. Meanwhile I am
Mr. Greene’s guest here, where I have the house for
the most part to myself. I arrived here Friday morn-
ing, just in time to miss the president, who had just
started for Portland, and has not yet returned. I
have seen Bigelow, Emerson,! ete., and have been look-
ing about among the libraries here, and endeavoring
to arrange matters so as to procure just, and only such,
books for the college as are wanting. I am pleased
to find a complete copy of * Linnea” at the library of
the American Academy.
I passed last Sunday all alone in Greene’s house.
Mr. Emerson met me coming from Park Street
Church, and on telling him that I was of Orthodox
faith, he said he was very glad of it, although not
altogether of that way himself.
have been only twice to Cambridge, whence I
have just returned, and where you may address your
letters. But I can do little there until the president
returns, by which time, however, I must trust to have
my list of books ready. I have just written to Mr.
Wiley to send on my boxes, and hope next week to
get nearly in working order. I now think of remain-
ing here (studying Composite, ete.) through the month
of August, and then visiting Mt. Washington, if I can
get money and a companion (I shall ask Oakes), and
in September going (via New York?) to western New
1 George B. Emerson, 1797-1881 ; an eminent teacher in Boston,
Mass. ; author of Trees and Shrubs of Massachusetts.
Rs ~