Asa Gray correspondence files of the Gray Herbarium, 1838-1892 (inclusive). Correspondence with George Engelmann, 1857-1884. Botany Libraries, Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, Mass.

sort, that I first commenced to correct them — but I am not half through yet, and so I have kept the whole in my trunk!

I have come here after my Emory's Engravings, and was overjoyed to see them so far advanced, that I can bring along the 12 6 plates in July, when I return, and have to leave only 4, which can be finished in 2 months more.

{Auguste} Trécul is here again.

But I can get no letters nor hear a word from Washington. I have sent plates in January and do not know whether they have arrived, and my letters remain unanswered. So I have taken the liberty to write include a letter to Emory to Prof Henry, about 4 weeks ago and hope to get from him some definite news. —

Meanwhile I learn from Prof {Georg} Mettenius that through an application of Consul Flügel at Leipzig Prof Henry has consented to have the Bernhardi-Herbarium for Shaw shipped to the Smithsonian Institution which will obviate many difficulties.

I learn here that Agassiz has most magnificaent letters offers from the Europeans. He is not only to be a Professor, but is to reorganize and supervise the whole natural history study here, the Jardin des Plants, Museums, Professros etc, and besides that he is to be a Senator (for life) with 30000 fr. He must be very firm to visit; but I doubt whether his science, or his happines or his family's health can be benefitted by such a change — I doubt it. — this entre nous —

Your name was often mentioned here — Mad Vilmorin is doing the strawberries for DeCaisnes work, and has just published Fragaria grayana; the wild {Fragaria} virginiana which is described by Ehrhardt is not known in a wild state, so they say. — Gay in his amiable noisy manner attacked me most violently when he saw me yesterday that I had not sent the living St Louis plant. I put it on you! Hilgard wrote me that in November last he had sent living specimens

I learn here that Torrey has given up the engravings and Riocreux's drawings — because he has kept too long writing. Is it so?

Kreuznach July 18th 1858

My dear Gray

Your kind and welcome letter reached me a day or two ago at Frankfurt, where I am head over heels busy in packing up. I have just come over to this place to bid adieu to my venerable mother and to my sisters, and shall leave to morrow for Paris, and a week after for the Havre.

I am very sorry indeed that I could not get the time to see the Hookers again and to finish my studies at Kew; but it was impossible. Even as it is I feel that I am doing injustice to my friends and even to myself to work all day in arranging collections for distribution and in packing etc, while I might live with them and give them those hours, perhaps — ag — most probably — the last which we may spend together on earth —

[last page] Dietz Hotel — Is Torrey in N York or at his country seat? We hsall be very happy to see you all; shall stop in N York a few days, do battle with the Custom house officers and other pleasant work of that sort, and then I have to go to Washington, and try to arrange with the boundary office, which will be difficult enough, as Emory is in Utah!

And now farewell — and for a happy meeting on the other side of the pond! — I long to get home again, but shall get into an unpleasant and sad state of affairs there — the crisis — the floods — sickness — and the miserable state of political affairs!

but now adieu Ever yours G Engelmann

My respects to Mrs Gray.

But I am growing sentimental and that will not do it all — off with it!

And now about our friend Agassiz — once you named the Agassizia suavis for him! — I have heard some things at Paris especially at Gay's but am not fully posted. I can conceive that he is in a sore dilemma, or has been; and that, even if cool reasoning and or perhaps (what would be worse) other influence have induced him to decline, that that apparently splendid offer in the splendid (soidisant) capital of the world, at the head of Natural Sciences and in a prominent social and political place, would have flattered him exceeding= ly and is not easily forgotten — inde illae lacrymae!

But no more about it at present. Agassiz' daughter has been at Berlin, and they have been delighted with her. Braun writes me that she will return in a month.

I will add only that I hope, that Agassiz' refusal of the Paris offer will be properly appreciated in America and he will be enabled to forget what he looses in Europe.

It is the opinion of most of those who know Pairs, and know A. that that situation in Paris will kill most any man who will try to do his duty there, and that A would not be the man for it. —

All this "entre nous"

We shall leave on the Araga July 27 and hope to land at N York Aug 7, 8 or 9 — It would be very pretty to find youn there.

At all events I shall hurry to the Postoffice for a letter from you, and we shall probably stop at the Prescott house (now, or 2 years ago named

St Louis Sept 28 1858

My dear Gray

We are barely existing here, and that must account for my not writing sooner. A week or ten days in our expensive and noisy hotel, since then in an inferior boarding house (the city being crowded, and no room to be found) engaging and superintending the mechanics in repairing and fitting up my house, which is not finished yet, at the same time preparing for the resumption of my practice, having only the most necessary social intercourse, and thereby offending many touchy people ——— so you see I have to pay by two months of purgatory for my prolonged absence; by no means a pleasant beginning. Nevertheless I must say that my friends received me with the most hearty welcome, and patients are coming and calling on me, more than I like at present; so that my house and

[last page] is no working room in the whole building if it be not the basement.

The building is to be one large Hall with Galleries, and two smaller rooms one above the other, attached to it — these are the Herb. & Libr., — a basement under the whole. —

Mrs Engelmann sends her love to Mrs Gray; she will write to her, as soon as she feels more at home —

Georgie goes to school and seems to be quite satisfied and pleased with this new phase in his life.

Yours every truly G Engelmann

I have collected Aristida ramosissima in abundance — do you want specimens?

especially my office and my herbarium and library I am getting into much better order than before, so that work will be more pleasant and more expeditious, so I hope at least. —

I hope you havenot yet sent off the boxes, as I have not room for them yet; some time about the middle of October will do full well. I have been told to send them "by Pennsylvania Railroad, rail all through, Ohio & Mississippi R.R." directed to F. Reuss & Co. —

A few weeks ago they charged from New York $1.25 per 100 lb, while the express charges $5.—

Still, on consideration, it would probably be safer to send by Express, as I learn that these goods for the Pa. R.R. go from Boston to Philadelphia by schooner, and you have the trouble of sending them aboard etc etc. —

Send therefore by Express.

I hope you and Mrs Gray have returned now to Cambridge and feel both resstored by

your too short journey.

Mr Shaw is very busy in preparing his botanic garden; he has built a fine stone wall around 10 acres of fine sligthly sloping, ground; prepared cysterns wells, drainage etc etc — is building a greenhouse of considerable dimensions, (he has already several small ones) the garden itself is not nearly empty yet. He builds a fine entrance, porters or guardians' lodge etc — I suppose in imitation to English parks; he is puzzled about the superscription, which I found was to be Hort. Bot. Missouriensis.

I advised him to have it in English, Missouri botanical garden, or less pedantic — and not to abbreviate the principal words. — You see how trifles take occupy him (and us!). —

He has also prepared his plans for a Museum, library and Herbarium; of course according to the Kew plan — but unfortunately he has had the plan of the old Museum only, and worked and planned on that! — — the rooms 1 for a library, the 2d for Herbarium are too small, and there