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GLIMPSES OF HOME LIFE 



To get rid of the flies and mosquitoes, the ship sailed out 

 on the ocean away from the island, where the winds were 

 blowing strong; and as soon as a fly or mosquito showed 

 itself on deck where the wind could reach it, the wind 

 carried it off ; and so in one day they were all drowned 

 in the ocean. We were real glad to be rid of them. 



" So you find the geological hammer good also ' for 

 driving nails.' Your papa is very kind to give you all the 

 nails you want. You tell me that you have again begun 

 to collect stamps : and here is a lot from Aunt Amy for 

 your collection." 



Here are two letters, of a still later date, addressed to 

 his eldest son, who was then absent, with his wife, on a 

 rest-tour. 



TO EDWARD S. DANA, IN ALGIERS 

 A Birthday Celebrated 



" NEW HAVEN, Feb. 12, 1894. 



' Your most gratifying birthday greeting reached here 

 Saturday, the loth, which is a wonderfully close hit con- 

 sidering your distance off. The day has now come, and 

 I find myself in good condition. The morning's mail has 

 brought in the package of photogravures, which we have 

 all enjoyed very much, and another of your always ex- 

 cellent letters. . . . You see I keep plodding on. 

 Williams takes off all Journal work, and does well his 

 editorial duty. Geology controls the most of my thoughts, 

 night and day ; and yet they are often with you and your 

 good wife in your African home, rejoicing that the climate 

 and the beauties of the border of the tropics are giving 

 you happiness and real improvement. Then starts up the 

 wish that you were well now and back again. It is a 

 satisfaction for me to know that you have not been as far 

 down as I was in 1859-60, when conversation with any 

 one was a burden. An evening with Des Cloizeaux, in 

 Paris, on my first arrival there in '59, was a severe trial to 

 me, and a backward stroke. 



' 12 h. 20'. After all, even Biskra is only a few hours 

 off, for a message from you has just come in, gladdening 



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