114 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
or even of necessity, perhaps I should not have agreed so promptly— 
had you wanted an ice-cream or any indulgence of your palate, or 
a New Coat, or any article of Dandyism, I think likely I should 
not have complied, but advised your wearing your old Coat and Vest 
a little longer, but when the gratification is to feed the mind, and 
cloathe the intellect, helping you through the journey of life, 7 am 
not the one to refuse. 
Hoping, Dear Spencer, you may realize the value of this book, 
is the earnest desire of your affectionate Grandmother. 
From Spencer F. Baird to William M. Baird. 
Dear WILL, CaRLISLE, July 31. 1844. 
I have nothing very particular to say, but will endeavor to serve 
you up a small hash containing a variety of ingredients. ‘There is 
no news here of any account. The scarlet fever is about as usual 
in town, every few days we hear of a case, generally of no great 
intensity. There has been no death from it for some time. Mr Watts’ 
two little children are very ill with it, the baby is recovering however, 
Lulie is in statu quo. 
There have been a number of political meetings of different 
complexions in the vicinity, within the last few weeks. The first 
was a flag pole raising at Holly, at which all the Carlisle fellows 
got drunk. I suppose in emulation of the 140 foot pole, to see which 
could be elevated the most. There was then on Friday last, a meeting 
at Chambersburg, which was however pretty well drowned out, by 
the rain; on Saturday another at Petersburg which was well attended. 
The Locos*® have one to day at Chambersburg, which bids fair to 
be numerous. About 60 went from Carlisle in the cars. 
Uncle Ned has been to Cape May since last week. He expects 
to be back here to morrow. 
Uncle Penrose & his family leave Washington this week, and will 
come somewhere in this latitude, Middlesex, Bloomfield, or some such 
place, but will keep clear of Carlisle through fear of Scarlet fever. 
I walked over to Gettysburg last Monday week to meet Dr 
Morris, who was there lecturing to the students on Zoology & arrang- 
ing their cabinet. It was a very hot day, & I was covered with dust 
5 The so-called Loco-foco party, opposed to the Whigs. 
