SOLON ROBINSON, 1843 363 



upon and patterned after, if such occasions are given to 

 bring them to light. I look upon these great family din- 

 ners as one of the very best features in our agricultural 

 shows. These are shows of human nature. They ought 

 to be fostered and encouraged. 



Addresses, conversations, toasts and sentiments, at 

 such a time, make deep impressions upon the mind. And 

 if you wish me "and others of my prairie friends to be 

 with you and partake of the good things" at your next 

 State Fair, you must get up a public dinner after our 

 fashion. Try it; it will go well and do good. 



Your friend, 



Solon Robinson. 



Lake Co. H., la., Jan. 25, 1843. 



Solon Robinson to Dr. Knapp. 



[Chicago Prairie Farmer, 3:87-88; Apr., 1843] 



[March 21, 1843] 

 My Worthy Friend: I might make many excuses 

 why I have not answered your letter addressed to me in 

 the February number of the Prairie Farmer. 1 I have 

 often set a time for doing it, but more pressing business 

 has prevented. Among other things I have had to im- 

 prove this "6 weeks sleding in March," and when one has 

 been out all day in such weather as we have had up here, 

 next door neighbor to the North Pole, he is quite unfitted 

 for writing in the evening. To day I took up the paper 

 to begin, and sat down and wrote a couple of temperance 

 hymns — for so ran my mood — probably in consequence of 

 having been deeply engaged in that cause at a meeting 

 yesterday. And now having begun, I glance my eye into 

 the very next column, and there behold myself and all my 



1 Dr. M. L. Knapp, Waynesville, De Witt County, Illinois. Ac- 

 tive in Union Agricultural Society. Contributor to the Union 

 Agriculturist under the pseudonym "Incog.," and contributor to 

 Prairie Farmer and the Cultivator. The letter mentioned was 

 written after meeting Robinson at the Aurora fair, in October. 

 Prairie Farmer, 3:42-43. 



