THE U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 329 



kind o' cattle that is ketched with mouldy corn." I should be a fool to give 

 up a life position to depend on worse than "princes' favors," the will of each 

 President and the whim of every Congress. Besides, Powell is doing very 

 well and should be kept in office. ... I am obliged to my friends for their 

 interest in my political or scientific promotion, but however I may lack 

 advancement I care nothing for it. 



I proposed to come out to Kentucky this recess, but it only lasts six days 

 this year and I am very tired after a long and hard winter, so I may not gain 

 the courage to start. I dread the scamper out and back with only two, or, at 

 most, three nights, to rest between. If I did not feel that Mother was after 

 all pretty well I would certainly venture any risks to see her, but I shall 

 have to come in May to bring her here and those days are not far off. . . . 

 We have had a beautiful winter, except for the iron-hearted cold and endless 

 north wind. . . . 



To the same : 



CAMBRIDGE, , 1885. 



It is contrary to law to send dynamite by mail, else I should feel it to be 

 my duty to enclose a cartridge of that vivifying material for the use of the 

 family to be taken in tonic doses. I have a great deal on hand to entangle 

 me, but I will come out with pleasure and bring Mother on. ... Only two 

 weeks more lectures, then comes "blue book" and blue devil time with the 

 examinations. We are going to Nantucket soon after you come warranted 

 warm and comfortable. 



To the same : 



CAMBRIDGE, June 23, 1886. 



I have been trying to escape from my multifarious duties here, but it now 

 seems impossible to do so until the next month. I only know how busy I am 

 when I try to break away from my affairs. On the first of July I am to be on 

 Mount Washington to give a lecture from that high pulpit. On the third 

 I am to go to Kingston, Canada, on a mining errand. On the fifth I hope 

 to be in Washington. On the sixth at White Sulphur Springs to do another 

 bit of mining work. On the seventh at Olympia or on train. On the eighth at 

 home with you all. Mother can then take her time to journey East with me. 

 We are all pretty well but waiting for the quiet that comes after the term. 



To his mother : 



CAMBRIDGE, March 20, 1887. 



Sophie and the children are good enough to write to you for me, thus 

 sparing me the grip of pen and you the trial of patience which comes when 



