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obtain but with great difficulty if at all. The collection was begun many years ago by my father and my uncle. While the latter was secretary of [legislature?] at St.Petersburg and the collecting was continued while he served [in?] charge at Vienna and during the 14 years he was minister to Penn. Some of the specimens collected during that time are unique and of course could not be replaced or duplicated now. Messrs. [Bennett?] and Dr.[Leidy?] of Philadelphia know the collection well or Prof.[?] of the University of Pennsylvania.
Prof.Clarke of the Geological Survey spoke to me of the Collection a few days ago and said he would be glad [?] time to go through the collection and give an opinion on it as a professional mineralogist if desired. If you have no idea of providing a collection just yet or do not want this one please advise me as it will be placed in [process?] of disposition very shortly. If you wish any one examine it and [?] upon it for you every facility will be given to your agent.
Yours resp
Cecil Clay