Letters to a Friend 



I am not well enough to work, and I cannot 

 sit still; I have been reading and botanizing 

 for some weeks, and I find that for such work 

 I am very much disabled. I leave this city 

 for home to-morrow accompanied by Merrill 

 Moores, a little friend of mine eleven years of 

 age. We will go to Decatur, 111., thence north 

 ward through the wide prairies, botanizing a 

 few weeks by the way. We hope to spend a few 

 days in Madison, and I promise myself a great 

 deal of pleasure. 



I hope to go South towards the end of sum 

 mer, and as this will be a journey that I know 

 very little about, I hope to profit by your 

 counsel before setting out. 



I am very happy with the thought of so soon 

 seeing my Madison friends, and Madison, and 

 the plants of Madison, and yours. 



I am thankful that this affliction has drawn 

 me to the sweet fields rather than from them. 



Give my love to Allie and Henry and all my 

 friends. Yours most cordially, 



JOHN Mum. 

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