p. 2

435
[417]
1840.

I propose to write you a letter. ***

I feel very much obliged for your invitation to come over to your house and enjoy once more the pleasures of a good dinner. Now, not to disparage you goodly city, I think that you would rather profit by making me a visit in this respect. Our white fish is a delicacy you never dreamed of; we have several other species almost equally delicious for the table. Our prairie hens, the "Pinnated Grouse" of ornithologists, are beyond comparison with their domestic namesakes for tenderness and delicacy. Besides we have an abundance of venison, partridges, squirrels, &c., which can be had at almost any time. Wild turkeys are often brought to our market. The country is now so much improved and settled that we have an abundance of all the ordinary products of agriculture, except such as require a greater number of years than our settlement can boast of, such as apples, peaches, and other fruits. Our woods and commons however afford any quantity of crab apples, gooseberries, plums, blackberries, raspberries, currants (red and black), and a person may, at the proper season, satisfy the most voracious appetite with fine large strawberries without moving from his tracks, within reach of his arms, such is their abundance. Do come out here and enjoy some of our fine things!

I have been engaged for some time in writing one book and compiling another; so that I am about to turn author in earnest.

My lecture before the Lyceum was very interesting! At least my wife says so, and she knows!

The book I am writing is a Gazetteer [Gazetteer] of Wisconsin and the