. 53. J TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 515 



Martius is not a very remarkable botanist, but 

 good ; is a genial, philosophical soul (full of Plato, 

 etc.), a good explorer, has worked up the Palms, etc., 

 well, and is a wonderful man for the amount he 

 knows on a vast number of different subjects, - -phi- 

 lology, antiquities, philosophy, et id genus omne. 



May 3, [1864]. 



. . . Spring is opening here, but late. From this 

 to July 10, I am engaged in college every day in the 

 week. Also am watching the herbarium building go 

 up, the brick walls of which, if good weather, may be 

 all up this week, and the roof put on next week. 



Your circular letter to good Martius was very good, 

 especially in its original German. Thanks. . . . 



Never mind if " Sagittaria graminea, Michaux," is 

 applicable to only one form. You had best keep the 

 old name, the more so as that you propose, S. sim- 

 plicifolia, is " not always correct." We can't let you 

 change a name because you can improve it. Too 

 many can and would play at that game, and less dis- 

 creetly than you would, and then cite your example ! 



If Fendler gets tired of bush-clearing, and will come 

 to me this fall, I will give him $500 a year as curator, 

 lodgings, two rooms in gardener's house, which I have 

 reserved ; and let him have say three days in the 

 week for himself, if he wants them. 



The people are determined to support and reelect 

 their excellent President Lincoln (what a noble letter 

 that last of his), whether Fremont and the like make a 

 coalition with copperheads or not. It is all the same 

 to us. Lincoln will walk the course. God bless him ! 



Wright is coming home for a few months this sum- 

 mer. 



