p. 23

-23-

1827.

on Natural History and drawing plans of the locks.***

Dec. 16.*** I now contemplate going to school tomorrow.

Dec. 17. River very nearly as high as last spring. Reports from above say the water at Pittsburgh is six feet higher than ever before known. Did not commence school today on account of high water.

Dec. 18. Went to school, am to go when not at work on the canal.

This day is just one year since I commenced to go to school to Mann Butler of the Jefferson Seminary., Louisville.

Dec. 19. The flood wood at Louisville running on the south side of the river is supposed to be caused by the north winds, but it was today in the same direction as seen on the 10th of the month although we have had no other than a west wind all day. Am reading a book on Natural History.

Dec. 21. Rainy day, did not go to school.*** Mr. Goodwin, the secretary of the L&P canal, told me he had a thermometer that he would lend me this winter, -and I expect I shall get it before the beginning of the New Year and that I can commence a pretty complete meteorological table by that time.

Dec. 22. No rain today, we now expect dry and cold weather once more.

Dec. 23. The river is now 16 ft. above low water at Louisville.

Dec. 24. Spent my day in reading Natural History in Mr. Berthoud's book, and in solving some problems in perspective. My brother Pazzi goes to Mann Butler's school and last week he wrote the best piece of the whole school:::

Dec. 26. This morning I took a long tour to the south west on the hill or second bank of the river, in search of our cows. I came across an old rotten log which the hogs had lately been rooting and found some snail shells.*** My search for the cows led me to a swamp back in the woods, which now contains a considerable quantity of water, here I saw a pair of wild ducks and listened to