permitting) to visit Boston again in the spring as last year but chemistry will be the subject. I have never been abroad & shall never go except upon particular invitation. Topics of property to a large amount by others, & public engagement rendered it necessary to make extra exertions in [?] & this professional road opened & I have walked on it. Hitherto I have reserved nothing of my earnings in this way, & cannot until after the Nantucket engagement is through. I am, it is true, in your & Webster’s diocese but I am not an intruder. I do not know how long my strength will hold out in this way. I hope for the sake of my family that it will last a little longer.

I have recently received for you a new Journal of “memoires geologiques & paleontologiques” by Boué. I have ventured to retain it a little while to look it over but will forward it to you soon. I suppose you have seen the so-called bird tracks on red sandstone near the ichthyolite locality. M^r James Deane of Greenfield sent me a plaster & cast & a description