26 LETTER-FILES OF S. W. JOHNSON 



ening influence hastened his intellectual expansion. 

 By the end of the year he had definitely decided that 

 he would follow Professor Norton's advice and go to 

 Germany for further study, especially under Liebig, 

 who had been the first to offer laboratory instruction 

 in chemistry and who ranked at that time as the great- 

 est master of agricultural chemistry in the world. 

 How to carry this plan into effect was a serious ques- 

 tion. Mr. Johnson's father would have helped him 

 most willingly to an education in the law or in medi- 

 cine, but was not inclined to aid in the way he wished. 

 The subject was debated from both sides in the family 

 letters. On July 10, 1850, Mr. Johnson wrote : 



Dear Pa and Sarah, — The 4th brought me Pa's answer to 

 my first two letters and last night the letter containing the 

 $20.00 safe — I was not particularly shocked at the thought 

 I could not prosecute my studies next Autumn and Winter, 

 although I had set my heart upon it. Even if I could do no 

 more for 6 mo. or a yr. at chem. — if I had better engage in 

 earning means — still I regret losing the opportunity of get- 

 ting a balance with so little trouble and $30.00 cheaper than 

 I can after this term. Prof. Silliman jr. will not be here for 

 at least a year and a half after he leaves in Oct. He spends 

 the winter in Louisville and in the spring he visits Europe, 

 with his Father. The balance costs $60., the freight etc., about 

 $10. — $20. according to circumstances. If I could send soon 

 it would probably not cost more than $68. as it would be 

 freighted with other articles. With a Balance on hand next 

 spring I could work to advantage at home, after doing some- 

 thing next fall and next winter to raise "the rocks" — if some- 

 body would chuck $75. in my pocket next Oct. I would order. 

 But ! ' ' 'tis as 'tis and can 't be much 'tisser. ' ' My last chance 

 must slide — let it go easy. — As ever, very sonily, Samuel. 



