LETTER TO HIS BROTHER. 59 



expensive way. The kinds I want are [here 

 follows the list]. ... It will interest you to 

 know that I am working with a young Dr. 

 Born upon an anatomy and natural history 

 of the fresh-water fishes of Europe. We have 

 already gathered a great deal of material, and 

 I think by the spring, or in the course of 

 the summer, we shall be able to publish the 

 first number. This will bring in a little ready 

 money for a short journey in the vacation. 



I earnestly advise you to while away your 

 leisure hours with study. Read much, but 

 only good and useful books. I promised to 

 send you something ; do not think, because I 

 have not done so yet, that I have forgotten 

 it. On the contrary, the difficulty of choos- 

 ing is the cause of the delay ; but I will 

 make farther inquiry as to what will suit 

 you best and you shall have my list. Mean- 

 time remember to read Say, and if you have 

 not already begun it, do not put it off. Re- 

 member that statistical and political knowl- 

 edge alone distinguishes the true merchant 

 from the mere tradesman, and guides him in 

 his undertakings. ... A merchant familiar 

 with the products of a country, its resources, 

 its commercial and political relations with 

 other countries, is much less likely to enter 



