TRAVELLING IN KENTUCKY 279 



shaded and full of fireflies and bats. A negro band over the way is tortur- 

 ing a tune, starting bravely but getting thrown every time, quarreling, but 

 returning to the charge. The house is as large as the Revere and really fine 



in its sturdy stone strength. Old Col. T is dead, some friends have 



moved away, others have gone to the still place on the hill, so I feel like an 

 old man. I am pretty well but dreadfully tired and homesick. . . . 



Sunday Evening. 



... So far I have made a decent headway with my work, getting things 

 in reasonable train. I am inclined to think that the work is not above my 

 powers, provided new sources of chafe do not disclose themselves. . . . 



NEWPORT, Aug. 30. 



. . . I am still here, but go to-morrow to see the Governor again and to get 

 some information unobtainable by letter. I feel better to-day than for some 

 days and think I can live along here provided you and the little ones come 

 soon. Remember my hammer, and please pack Herbert Spencer's works. 



Tell M to come along to Grayson Springs; he will have already done so, 



if he is not a fool. If you can, start on Monday. Fee the car servants well 

 and make them assist at the transfers. I would come for you but I fear the 

 journey would use me up. 



RIVERTON, KY., Oct. 21, 1873. 



. . . The steamboat left me here at 2 p. M. in fair condition. The boat 

 had no staterooms but piled the passengers into two-storied cots in one 

 common room. A cargo of pigs down stairs sang a duet with the snorers 



above. However withal I am pretty well. I found C waiting for me, 



which has saved me some running about. ... I shall write again to-morrow 

 to tell you just what my plans are, if I am so fortunate as to know them my- 

 self. Be assured I shall do my best to get home Saturday night. . . . 



Mouth of the Cumberland River, '73. 



... I came here this morning and got a little rest from the questions 

 of the public have been at it all day again. We have had a charming day 

 full of spring balm. I like the people not industrious, but decent and law- 

 abiding in their way; they treat me kindly and considerately. ... I am 

 pretty well and not very tired. I have shut out the populace, and fortunately 

 there is a murder trial on hand which diverts attention from "bating" the 

 state geologists, which has become a favorite amusement in the state. One 

 of the worthy citizens goes with me to-morrow to Marion and Princeton, so I 

 have good company. 



I was congratulating myself on the quiet evening when in came (without 



