274 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. [1840, 



consequences of loss of rest, I was never, perhaps, 

 more perfectly in health, and a fortnight or so of 

 botanizing will restore my strength. You kindly in- 

 quire about my plans and prospects. These are so far 

 favorable that they will give me (D. V.) another year 

 of nearly undivided attention to the " Flora." Not long 

 since I was officially informed that the opening of our 

 university would be postponed another year, on ac- 

 count of unfavorable times, and the preparations not 

 being sufficiently advanced. So I am told that I can 

 have my time nearly all to myself until next spring 

 (1841) if I wish (which of course I do), but without 

 any salary, which, indeed, I could not with any pro- 

 priety take while I perform no duty. By very close 

 economy I think I shall get on for the year to come, 

 and be able to accomplish a good deal of botanical 

 work. I am going to pay the Michigan people a 

 visit, and if they make good their promises made to 

 me a year ago, as I have reason to think they will, 

 their course towards me will have been liberal and 

 honorable. I have good reason to hope they will 

 eventually succeed in their plans. 



By the London packet of the 15th of June we hope 

 to send you and other friends some copies of the 

 " Flora," parts 3 and 4. There are so many errors, so 

 much bad printing, and so many things that we could 

 now do much better, that I regret that any portion was 

 published before my visit to Europe. Many of the 

 most important corrections are given with additions, 

 etc., in a supplement, but I hope we shall continue to 

 improve as we go on. We can work to much greater 

 advantage than before, from being much better sup- 

 plied with books, as well as with specimens and in- 

 formation. Yet often do I wish to be within reach of 



