RK-207

ReadAboutContentsHelp

Pages

page_0001
Needs Review

page_0001

[circled] 19

Home Sunday Morning Nov. 23d '56

Dear Bob

Yours, without date, came yesterday. You are right, to pay most attention to chemistry, anatomy and physiology, surgery, materia medica &c. - about in the order named - and while you are in Chicago, if you intend to be a physician, at all, you must make the lectures, at the college, your chief, if not sole object. And yet, if you can have quiet, at night,- and will per=tinaciously avoid all outside influences, - I do not doubt your being able, (by a systematic and orderly disposi=tion of your time) to work on your Tret =ise[double underline] without much prejudice to your medical studies. And it really seems a pity to abandon the work, when half accomplished, and lose this opportunity to secure both money and fame[double underline]. What and these

Last edit 5 months ago by The Grove National Historic Landmark
page_0002
Needs Review

page_0002

[circled] 20

then, on the other hand, it can not cost us, much, if any, less than one dollar per day, to keep you in Chicago, - and the purpose, for which you are there, can alone justify the expense, just now, when we are so greatly embar=rassed, if not harrassed for mo=ney.

I would, therefore, counsel thus, attend all the lectures, that you can; read up, when you must, to keep up with the course – so as not to leave any links open, or breaks in the course of demonstrations. But do not attempt to learn every thing[double underline] this winter. Get as much general knowledge as you can – Get fair=ly started off, and now, and leave the minutiae – the theorizing, and all the little technical particulars, until next course.

Do this, and then you may be able to devote a certain number of evenings – each week – to your Natural History subject – Say, Saturday and Sunday, or Friday Saturday and Sunday evenings

Last edit 5 months ago by The Grove National Historic Landmark
page_0003
Needs Review

page_0003

circled] 21 [partially circled] 3 [circled, partial] 8

You might devote Satur Friday night, without much, and Saturday and Sunday nights with=out any considerable detriment to your medical studies. But any other time would be sure to interfere, seriously, with any thing like a profitable use of your time and expensive opportunity to get a thorough knowledge of the ground works of your profession. Because you can not readily lay by the subjects of the daily lectures to take up the pen, and work, to advantage, on your Essay, - unless you can have a clear space before you – and that you can have, only, on two nights (and perhaps one day) of the week. and then you could again re=sume the (but slightly broken) thread of your regular daily business, on each Monday morning; and forget your Natural History, in its turn, - to take it up after four or five days, and so on – always provided, your health permits; and you can secure the uninterrupted use of these two or three evenings, per week – But, after all, you may per=haps, finish up the Rodents[double underline] now, and get time allowed you, after the lectures close, to

Last edit 5 months ago by The Grove National Historic Landmark
page_0004
Needs Review

page_0004

[circled, partial] 2

to write on the other mammals, in time for winter. I think I will write to Professor Baird or Mr Brown, by and by, & by, and see if some extra time can not be allowed.

I like this paper

A letter from Mr Lapham – He speaks highly of you, - notices your election as Cor. member of Mass. Nat. His. Society – and expresses himself much delighted with the box on Insects. He has sent his Catalogue of Ill. Plants” to Col. Stone of Chicago, who is to show it to the Historical Society[double underline], and let them print it, if I dont want it. But I do want it, and wish you to tell Col. Stone so, if you chance to meet him. I would not miss having it for a good deal – By the way, if the Chicago Historical Society has not received a volume of our Transactions, present one in my name – You will find copies in the P. F. Office –

Ask Byrd if my old boots, cap and over-shoes are in the office. it seems they are not at “Auntie’s” – Betts writes that “black & gray Fox, Squir=rels, in Michigan invariably store [illegible] up corn, when they can get it”

Last edit 5 months ago by The Grove National Historic Landmark
page_0005
Needs Review

page_0005

[circled] 23 [partially circled] 5

And now, my Dear Son, you are to understand, that worldly old pruden=tial ideas, are at the bottom of my advice to you, in this letter – My feelings and my paternal pride in you[double underline], coun=sel more liberally and hopefully[double underline] – It would grieve me – it would disappoint me, sadly, - to have you abandon the treatise on the mammals of the prairies – for I think there is fame[double underline] in the enterprise. But Bob, will fame “boil the pot” – or keep you dry and warm, with a full purse, and an independent spirit? – Ah, that’s it – Fame is great – Great among the great[double underline] & good[triple underline], and learned – but a good balance with your Banker, is a greater virtue, under all circumstances, and with every class of people, in this practical, every day uneducated[double underline] world of ours. Still, you are young, and you can afford to give a little more time to the ambition of the few - and so, “go ahead” if you wish it

Last edit 5 months ago by The Grove National Historic Landmark
Displaying pages 1 - 5 of 6 in total