RK-109

Philadelphia 31 August 1855

Dear Robert:

Your letter of 10 August was duly recd. but came during my absence for a short time from this city. - I have today sent the Birds eyes as near as I can according to your request and they will undoubtedly answer your purpose - I hope they will be in time. I enclose a Bill, with which you may do whatever you think proper, – the eyes I give to you, but if for any body else I would advise you to get the money and keep it towards paying postages &c for my account.

Spermophilus Franklinii would be very acceptable to our Academy, as well as almost any small quadrupeds from your country – either in skins or in spirits, – I should very much like to have particularly specimens of some squirrels that are found with you but not here, – also a specimen or two of Trichas agilis in spring plumage, –

Dr Brewer is one of the editors and proprietors of the Atlas newspaper, Boston, and an active member of the Boston Nat. Hist. Society – He is not connected with the Smithsonian Institution, - He is one of my most highly valued friends and a most excellent man

I will look up your letters on the Prairie Hen and return them in time – you must write that paper – you can give a more complete account of this bird than has ever been published. – There will be no difficulty in getting it printed in the Proceedings of our Academy and you shall have as many extra copies as you wish.

Passages constantly occur in your letters which remind me forcibly of my own boyhood, – I, too, was brought up a farmer and until I was 20 years of age, constantly worked in the fields, except a time that I was absent at school, and for several years when at your age, all my leisure was devoted to Nat. Hist. - it was for all, the happiest part of my life, though I had great difficulties – there were then few books to be had – my father was a farmer in Delaware County, Penna near Chester on the Delaware river – the place where Wm. Penn first landed and made a settlement of Quaker farmers. -

I hope to see you one of these days in this city & think you ought to try & see the cities, – Always glad to hear from you, –

very respectfully John Cassin