CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. GRAY 



this place should still be my preference a feeling much 

 strengthened by my dread of public life, especially in a 

 strange place. But I have felt it very doubtful whether 

 anything towards a professorship here could be accom- 

 plished, as there are no funds here, and no source to look 

 to for funds, as far as now appears. I have therefore 

 replied that while I would not refuse a position here 

 properly endowed, and would be much pleased to con- 

 tinue in my old associations at this place, I could not, 

 without a certainty in prospect, set aside overtures from 

 Cambridge, where there is so much that is agreeable and 

 honorable, and all is so full of hope. Thus the matter 

 stands. I know you will fully appreciate the conflict in 

 my own mind. I have been much afraid that my appoint- 

 ment to a Cambridge professorship would produce ulti- 

 mate disappointment should it take place, because, as I 

 am frank to confess, I am no public speaker, and should 

 be dependent on written lectures altogether. This would 

 be a much less difficulty here, where I am better known. 

 I have written frankly my feelings on this subject, for 

 your own eyes alone, the purport of which you can state 

 to ' that other friend/ and to Agassiz, if it be not he." 



DANA TO ASA GRAY 



"NEW HAVEN, July 12, 1848. 



" In my last long letter to you I mentioned frankly the 

 state of my feelings as regards Harvard and Yale, and 

 announced that I had promised Silliman not to refuse a 

 well-founded professorship at this place if offered me. I 

 have had little expectation that anything would be done, 

 and this little has recently been on the rapid decrease, 

 and I have daily looked for a word that would decide 

 the matter Harvard-wise. But yesterday there was a 

 most unexpected offer of so generous a character that I 

 could not decline it, and therefore here I am and am to 

 be. I know that I need make no apologies under the 

 circumstances for drawing off from my partial engagement 

 to good friends at Cambridge and Boston, nor are re- 

 newed assurances needed to satisfy them of my warm 

 attachment and gratitude. Will you kindly explain to 

 them ?" 



297 



