CHAPTER II.

EARLY UNDERTAKINGS.

1831-1838.

Dr. Gray’s autobiographical fragment closes abruptly, 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 correspondence, 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 scientific 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 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 herself and her own household, but for all who could possibly

come within her influence. It was a new experience 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 entered 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 permanent part of his character.

Dr. Torrey saw the ability of the young student, and writing to his

friend, Professor Henry, in February, 1835, to see if a place could not

be found for him at Princeton, says:--

“I wish we could find a place for my friend Gray in the college.... He

has no superior in botany, considering his 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

affections 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 publishing. 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[25] 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

American Rhynchosporæ, 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 occupied

with other duties in studies and dissections, the results of which

appeared in several elaborate contributions to the Annals. Dr. Gray’s

residence in the building and his position as librarian brought him into

frequent and pleasant intercourse with the members of the Lyceum, and in

this way began my own acquaintance with him. The interest which he

always 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 characteristic. He had

even then something of that hesitancy 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 speaking 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.,”[26] 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 of all within

hearing. He admitted that it was one of the best lessons in the art of

writing he ever had.

Dr. Gray, writing for the “New York World” an obituary notice of John

Carey, on his death in 1880, says of him, after a short sketch of his

life:--

“Mr. Carey was a man of marked gifts, accomplishments, and

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 scientific 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 1835.

TO JOHN TORREY.

BRIDGEWATER, ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y., January 1, 1831.

DEAR SIR,--I received your letter, through Professor 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. I

regret that the state of my herbarium will not admit 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 interesting plants which I may meet with. I send you

a few grasses; numbered; also a few mosses, etc. 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 receiving 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 specimens. I am particularly attached to the study of the

grasses, ferns, etc. 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 western part of this

State, also Ohio 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 endeavor to obtain them for you.

Respectfully yours,

ASA GRAY.

BRIDGEWATER, 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 valuable package of plants which was duly received a few

weeks afterwards. In the course of the ensuing summer, 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 collector, 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 grateful for any favors you may have in your power to confer upon

him. I shall be engaged the ensuing summer at Fairfield and at Salina,

where I hope to make some interesting collections in natural history. If

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.

lupulina but flowering later. Is it not a var. of C. lupulina? 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 medicine under circumstances which will altogether preclude

me from paying any further attention to natural history. My friends

advise me to spend a few years in a milder climate, our family being

predisposed to phthisis, although I am perfectly healthy and robust; and

such a course would be very agreeable 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 inclined to prefer Mexico, both on account of

the salubrity of its climate, and of its botanical and mineralogical

riches, which so far as I know have never been very thoroughly explored.

My object in troubling you with all this is merely to obtain some

information 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

commenced 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 whatever circumstances I

may be placed, it will be gratifying to me to continue a correspondence

which has, 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 1st of September 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

Calymene), a variety of bivalve and a few univalve shells, etc., both in

lime rock and greywacke. The celebrated locality of Trenton Falls you

are of course acquainted with. Would a suit of them be acceptable 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.

UTICA, January 2, 1833.

I received your letter of December 25, and have given the subject of

which you write a careful consideration. 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. I was 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 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, washing, 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 defrayed (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 comfortable

support. The disadvantages, the school is not incorporated and though

now flourishing may not continue 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. I am

confident my leisure time would be employed to greater advantage if I

was situated so as to have access to good libraries and extensive

collections.

At present I can be satisfied with a moderate income, 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 summer, 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

expenses.

If you still desire to make such arrangement, please 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, supposing

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 satisfactory 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

arrangement 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 I 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 received 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 Ranunculaceæ; it

is in 12mo.

As you mentioned that Beck has been very secret in all his proceedings,

it occurred to me that very possibly 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 descriptions and fine print. He

still keeps his Ranunculus lacustris, and has added a new species to

that genus, which he calls R. Clintonii, from Rome, Oneida County, N.

Y.; the same as published in fifth edition Eaton’s “Manual” under the

name of R. prostratus, 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, etc. I

feel 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, and 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 Scleria, etc.,

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 rapidly in science, in botany especially.

I succeeded, some days ago, in making the chlorochromic acid of Dr.

Thomson (of which you spoke to me when at your house), with chromate of

lead, instead of bichromate of potash, which I was unable to obtain. It

set alcohol, ether, spirits of turpentine, etc., 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.

UTICA, March 22, 1834.

I thankfully acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st inst.,

and am delighted to learn that you contemplate giving a course of

botanical lectures before 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

drunken driver. The top of the coach, striking against a stone wall, was

broken in; but I escaped, narrowly indeed, without any injury excepting

a few rents in my clothes. At the end of the route, I had the

satisfaction of seeing the driver dismissed from his employment. On my

arrival at Bridgewater I found a child of my friend and former medical

preceptor,[27] 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 satisfaction 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.

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 ensuing 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 reason 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 intention to resign about a year hence; by which time, if ever, the

college will be able to place several professorships upon a substantial

foundation. Dr. H. has expressed to me a strong desire that I should be

considered a candidate for the place, and I strongly suspect 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 1st 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 advance it himself, and

the whole if funds are in the hands of the treasurer; if not, the whole

would be 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, etc. I urged the promise 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.

I can 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 disengaged 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 vacillation which results

from changing one’s plans when fully formed, that were it not for

certain ulterior advantages, 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.

An idea just this moment strikes me which, in its crude 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 youngsters 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 Gramineæ, 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.

A 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 Hepaticæ, and is

anxious to obtain our species, and especially original specimens of

those described by the late Mr. Schweinitz, etc. 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 particularly

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. 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 society, 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 penance 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.

HAMILTON COLLEGE, June 9, 1834.

Your letter of the 13th ult., with the bundle of books, was in due time

received. Yours of the 2d ult. was received at the same time. I can send

you no more copies of “Gramineæ,”[28] etc.; 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,[29] I

suppose), as well as the other subscribers, must wait until fall. I am

lecturing here to a small but quite intelligent 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 do not act in

concert with the faculty, and it is rumored 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. I have promised to make a visit to the

north in August. 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, etc.,

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 comparatively 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 farther south than Tom’s River; so that I have no

alternative but to hasten back to New York, and make a flying trip to

Tom’s River (or Howel Works at least) 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 arrangements 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, etc.? If you will give

me the necessary instructions, I promise you to spare no exertions to

carry them into effect.

I have nearly finished De Candolle’s “Théorie Elémentaire.” 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 preparing an American edition.

This immediate neighborhood is very poor for botanizing. Excepting

Cyperaceæ, 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 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 winter. 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 myself 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 scientific 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 summer.

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 profitably, and I am 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 moderate wishes would require no very

large sum, and I have no great desire to be rich.

Tell father I am 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 FATHER,--I have been waiting for some time to see what my plans for

the season would be, expecting as soon as that point was determined to

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 summer; prosecuting the

same studies and pursuits in 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 of 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.

NEW YORK, April 4, 1835.

DEAR SIR,--Your kind letter 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 Gramineæ and

Cyperaceæ,” 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,” comprising an attempt at a monography of the

genus Rhynchospora. A more perfect copy, with a copy of the 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 “Gramineæ and

Cyperaceæ,” 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,

Yours truly,

A. GRAY.

To WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER, LL. D.,

Regius Professor of Botany in the University at Glasgow.

TO JOHN TORREY.

SAUQUOIT, 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 improved already, although my bones ache prodigiously. I

have not yet botanized largely. When at Bridgewater I secured all I

could find of the new Carex; also C. chordorhiza, which, by the way,

Crawe has found in his region. I hope soon to collect more extensively,

but in this vicinity there are no plants of especial interest. I have

just now a mania for examining and preserving the roots and fruits of

our plants (I make notes of everything in a copy of your “Compendium”),

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 obtained, 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 production. A cross-section shows the same structure as the

rattan, i.e., the vascular and woody bundles are arranged equally

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 of 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 extended so as to include all subterranean,

nearly horizontal stems, or portions of the stem, which produce roots

from any part of their surface and buds from their extremity. It occurs

in a great part of herbaceous perennials, and can always in practice be

distinguished from the root, although it is still described as root in

all the books; witness, Hydrophyllum, Actæa, Caulophyllum, Trillium,

Convallaria, and so on to infinity.

I am not yet perfectly satisfied about our Actæas; 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

pedicels also, yet the leaves and the rhizomata are exactly alike. By

the way, while I was botanizing this afternoon, I met with great

quantities of Orchis spectabilis, 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 sufficient 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, 1835.

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. I 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

Fairfield 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.

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 scattered

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[30] (son of Wm. Williams), lies at my elbow. As to my book,[31]

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 seriously, and consulting with Dr. Hadley, who is my 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 can, 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 town. 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,

with love to mother 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 up 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 I am at Dr. Torrey’s a part of almost every

day. I have a very comfortable and quiet place, for which 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 scientific 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 influence, 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 know whenever any changes offer in my situation.

TO JOHN TORREY.

NEW YORK, July 11, 1836.

DEAR DOCTOR,--Since your departure several memoranda of more or less

consequence have accumulated 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

$1.14-1/2), with the Hamburg seal, and the handwriting of our old

correspondent, Professor 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-Carolineæ Cæsar. academiæ

naturæ curiosorum! Hide your diminished head, and give way to the

Königliche Botanische Gesellschaft in Regensburg!--which being

interpreted means, I imagine, the Royal Botanical Society of Regensburg.

Now I know as little of Regensburg and the Regensburg people 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

evening.... On the same day last week I received a letter from

Dewey,[32] and another from Carey, and according 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

favorable 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 SIR,--I take the opportunity of acknowledging 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 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.

As 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 hurriedly indeed,

and placed them at your disposal. I did not possess sufficient means for

determining them in a satisfactory manner, and fear I have committed

errors in many cases. You will doubtless detect these at once, and if,

on the whole, you think proper to publish them in the “Companion to the

Botanical Magazine,” 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) resembling the one in the parcel, except in

having pubescent leaves. The latter is therefore improperly

characterized, and perhaps will prove to be a well-known species. I

shall hope to receive other and more complete specimens from Mr. Diell,

and if I am so fortunate will gladly share with so esteemed a

correspondent 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

“Gramineæ and Cyperaceæ” 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 assistance 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

highest esteem,

Your much obliged friend,

ASA GRAY.

October 10, 1836.

I also beg your acceptance of a copy of a little elementary 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.

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 “Cyperaceæ of North America” of

Dr. Torrey, in which I had occasion, in the revision of our

Rhynchosporæ, to make some important alterations 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 monograph

“Rhynchosporæ” were destroyed by fire soon after being printed, and when

reprinted, about a year since, I added a few observations, notes of

additional localities, etc. But owing to a want of careful revision 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 typographical corrections as

now occur to me. Would it not be proper to append a reprint of the

revision of Rhynchosporæ 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 moreover I

may soon have some favors to ask as to its disposal. Indeed, I know not

why I should not state that there is some probability that I may soon

visit the islands of the South Pacific Ocean as a botanist, in the

exploring expedition now fitting out under 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 advancement of the good cause of science,

may be so marred by improper appointments as to render it unadvisable

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 before a great while. Matters

are now in such a state that it becomes proper to inform you that I

shall probably be offered the situation of botanist to the scientific

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 scientific corps will consist of

several persons, in different departments of science, and the persons

who will probably be selected are mostly my personal friends: two of

them at least having been recommended at my suggestion. The quarters

offered us, and the accommodations, 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

satisfactory manner, you are willing and think it best that I should go.

I think it not unlikely that the appointments 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 Jackson, 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

Washington for a few days, for the distribution of duties among them. If

the place for which I ask is given 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 I had made 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 headquarters 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 expenses,

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.

TO JOHN F. TROWBRIDGE.

NEW YORK, November 9, 1837.

DEAR DOCTOR,--Your letter and that of Mrs. T., dated November 7, reached

me this afternoon, to which I 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 instance, 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 secretary 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 seasonable

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 impossible 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 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 probability 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 secretary 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 last week

or two. I will send them, with this, to-morrow: so look out for them. I

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, etc., are, and thinks he will be able to remove my

present dissatisfaction, and if not says I may have leave to withdraw,

but urges me not to insist upon resigning without coming on to

Washington. Dana and Couthony are also invited to come on, Pickering

being already there. Though this request reaches me in such a form that

I cannot claim my traveling expenses, 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 blockheads 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-morrow 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. G.

TO HIS FATHER.

NEW YORK, August 6, 1838.

I have resigned my place in the exploring expedition! 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.

BATAVIA, GENESEE COUNTY, N. Y.

Friday morning, August 10, 1838.

MY DEAR MRS. TORREY,--The place from which I write is a very pleasant

and flourishing country village; the shire-town of Genesee County,

forty-four miles from Buffalo and about thirty-four from Rochester. Here

is your humble servant and correspondent “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 remember, 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 1826, and near which place we found the

Scolopendrium. Riding all night we were at Auburn (a lovely village) by

daybreak, and, passing 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 considerable

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 case I could

expect to reach Detroit Saturday afternoon, making only four days from

New York.

I find myself much better this morning, though weak, and so unstable

about the epigastrium that I scarcely 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,[33] of West Point, on board 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 professorship of

chemistry, etc., was now established by law on the same footing with the

other professorships at West Point, and that the pay of all was

increased, so that it is now equivalent to that of a major of cavalry;

and more than this: he has been successful 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 unlikely, 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!

CLEVELAND, OHIO, August. 12, 1838,--

the 4th day of my pilgrimage.

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 sunset; stopped at a hotel not very munch smaller than the Astor

House, with accommodations scarcely inferior. 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 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

promenade-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 passengers 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: but time would not permit, and I

consoled myself with the comfortable reflection that the dry and sterile

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 covered 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,

destined 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 brought with them the heretical doctrines and measures which

caused the expulsion of the Western Reserve synod last year. But the

evening is advancing, 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 McGuffey of Cincinnati College, who is quite

a celebrated man in this State.

Detroit, Tuesday noon.--I improve the first moment 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 botanizing, 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 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 beautifully

situated. As soon as I thought your friend, C. W. Whipple,[34] 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 knew him. 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 extensive 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. We ascended into the

cupola which crowns the building, 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

principals 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 introduced 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 consequence will be held.

I was introduced to Chancellor Farnsworth (who wrote me from the

committee), Major Kearsley, Judge Brooks (Whipple’s father-in-law) and

others. We all went to the examination, 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 several, some

of them valuable. I was struck with a portrait of St. Peter, a stout

Paddy-looking fellow with a heavy black beard and mustachios,

bare-footed, lugging a pair of keys as large as he could grasp! We

expect nearly all hands to go to Ann Arbor on Friday. 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,

etc., which satisfied me, but I wait for more information before I

attempt to write you about the matter.

I am, so far, pleased on the whole with the prospects 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 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 I 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!

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.

DETROIT, August 16, 1838.

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 yesterday

morning, and as it was a rainy day I spent near the whole time at his

house. He is a very energetic 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. I am now going round to

his office to read the newspapers, as a mail from New York must have

arrived this morning.

Thursday evening.--I 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 university and

everything about the matter we could think of. I obtained all the

information he could afford me about what they were doing, and

contemplated doing. I told him fully what I wished to do, and in

everything I believe we understood each other and agreed wonderfully.

This is important, 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 buildings, etc., to him, and he carried it over

considerable opposition. As I know it is just what will please the

doctor I mention it here. It is to have the professor’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, laboratory, etc., but to contain no students and

no families; to have two lateral buildings for students and the tutors

who have the immediate charge of them. Then to build professors’ houses

on the other side of the quadrangle, fronting the main building, 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 because it will

release him from the drudgery of professional 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 evening; 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 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, but 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 meeting 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

reason 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 Torrey, and perhaps one or two others. Whipple expressed a

desire to attempt to secure Professor Douglass[35] for the department of

engineering, etc. 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. I do 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 lecture to prepare to-morrow. I am afraid that these long

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 I will return as fast as

steamboats and railroads will carry me.

ANN ARBOR, 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 Farnsworth. 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 little, 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 chancellor. 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 completed) by stagecoach. I left Detroit at nine A.M. (after going

to the post office and being much disappointed 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 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 attempt 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 desirable 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

satisfaction 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

gentlemen and ladies, married and unmarried. It having been ascertained

that I was unmarried, it was suggested 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,” etc.,--a

very good sermon. In the afternoon his farewell discourse was from Acts

xx. 32, and did honor to his heart. (The stage is ready.) At twilight I

in fancy transported myself to 30 MacDougal 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. This morning I have been

botanizing, and have cured for the doctor some specimens (clusters of

Eshcol) of this goodly land. So be prepared for a very favorable report.

My pen is abominable, and I have not another moment.

(DETROIT), 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 letter; 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.

I am 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 juvenile 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, staying 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 appointment, would be at Detroit, and it is possible

that a very few days would enable us to settle almost everything about

the arrangement of the grounds, the internal 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 professorship

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, etc., 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 influence 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 solicitous 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 different 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 meeting after Mr. Davis arrives.

Before that time I suspect we shall not be able to secure the quorum

necessary for the transaction of this and other matters of business. I

hope also to secure an appropriation for the library, and philosophical

and chemical apparatus. 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 DOCTOR,--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

contingencies, 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, 1838.

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 nights, I

am not yet quite ready. I hope to get everything 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,

Good-by,

A. G.

TO HIS MOTHER.

SHIP PENNSYLVANIA, 9th November, 1838.

MY DEAR MOTHER,--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 voyage. I shall write at once from Liverpool.

Good-by again to all. Letters are called for. Good-by; remember me in

your prayers.

Your affectionate son,

A. GRAY.