314 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



I do not think Prof. Henry will object to this. Others are in favor 

 of erecting a grand crystal palace between the Smithsonian and 

 Monument to hold National Museum, Library, and Patent Office, 

 and numerous other plans are talked of. I don't much care how they 

 manage it, so that / can have charge of the Nat. Hist, collections. 

 They are at work diligently finishing the interior of the Main Smith- 

 sonian building. 



Most affectionately yours, 



S. F. BAIRD. 



From John Cassin to Spencer F. Baird. 



PHILADELPHIA, 24 Dec. 1853. 

 DEAR PROFESSOR: 



Why should not I write a letter to you of a character entirely 

 friendly or complimentary, or any other, if I felt myself so called? 



No matter this is a letter not about business of any sort, but 

 entirely friendly and fraternal, the essential object as far as I see 

 any being to wish you a happy Christmas and many of them Pro- 

 fessor and that yesterday thinking over the matter of sending you 

 some small affair by way of remembrance I sent what I did by Adams 

 Express-hope it will prove acceptable there is not the quantity I 

 intended to have sent, not intending to put you on short allowance, 

 but I suddenly recollected that I was no judge of quality. 



A good many Christmases have now passed, Professor, since 

 you and I have been cronies more than will again probably and 

 yet ye're a' the same to me professor rather more so. 



So it goes one has in this world many acquaintances, but few 

 friends and those few afford to any man, who is at all considerable 

 of a man in the exercise of the friendly feelings and duties, grati- 

 fication of the highest and most ennobling character One cannot 

 overestimate long tried and faithful friends. 



So, professor, wishing you again and all yours a happy Christ- 

 mas and many for ourselves, hoping it may never be worse with 



us I am ,, 



Yours as ever 



JOHN CASSIN 



