186 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



of course, to say the least, equally numerous, and therefore 

 there must have passed between us two hundred and fifty 

 letters in all ; they were usually full, and frequently long. 



FROM DR. MANTELL. 



CASTLE PLACE, LEWES, SUSSEX, ENGLAND, 

 February 10, 1833. 



MY DEAR SIR, Your kind present reached me in safety 

 in January, but the bustle of this season of the year has 

 left me not one moment's leisure till now, and I eagerly 

 embrace a few minutes' quiet to have the pleasure of a 

 tete-a-tete with you. First, let me again express how 

 deeply sensible we are of your kind and liberal exertions 

 to afford us gratification, and to assure you of the high 

 pleasure your communications, and those of your charming 

 family, give to me and mine. Although I fear you and I 

 shall never meet in this world, yet it is consolatory to re- 

 flect that there is a possibility our children may, and that 

 our scientific intercourse itself a sufficient reward 

 may yet lay the foundation of a friendship between those 

 who are dear to us, the benefits arising from which may 

 hereafter be of more value than we can utter, calculate, or 

 imagine. The Mastodon's tooth was to me of the highest 

 interest ; and so much do I value any relic of this kind, 

 that I candidly state there is nothing so much coveted by 

 me as teeth or bones of any of your extinct mammalia ; 

 and if you could procure for me, by exchange or purchase, 

 any bones or teeth of the Mastodon, without inconvenience 

 to yourself, I would gladly repay you, and should feel 

 greatly obliged by your kindness : of course I should not 

 like to expend any large sum without being previously 

 made acquainted with the nature of the specimens. The 

 tooth you have so generously given me is quite a treasure. 



And now, my dear sir, I have arrived at your own 



work, in which your friendship and kind feeling have led 

 you to give so excellent, but too flattering, notice of me 



