1850 TO 1865 265 
send a copy of Contributions to the Stiftesbokasafn at Reykjavik, 
Iceland, at the instance of Daniel W. Fisk now at Copenhagen. Is 
this right? 
Don’t fear for my health, I never was so stout, and perhaps well, 
in my life. Although I work hard (from 5 A.M., till I fall asleep 
spontaneously P.M.) yet I take so much exercise as to keep me up. 
I have to visit all the printers, binders, lithographers, etc., in the city 
almost every day, walking from one extreme of the city to the other. 
As a good sign, I always have a ravenous appetite. And besides I 
talk a great deal about going out fishing, and doing other foolish 
things; and at any rate I hope to have a good run next summer. As 
to the nature of my business, I sometimes feel as if I were wasting 
time attending to these details; but then again I become reconciled 
in a measure, on knowing, as I do, that if I do not attend to them no 
one will, and I flatter myself that the publications of the Smithsonian 
Institution could not go on without me. Mr. Jewett has his hands 
full of the Library and catalogue matters. . . . It isa fact that 
I have scarcely done a single hour’s work of original investigation 
since my arrival; of aboriginal I will not speak, on account of that 
modesty which should characterize juveniles. Still, I trust a better 
day is coming, when I can do something, and no one would be more 
happy to see that time than Prof. Henry. No one could be kinder 
or more considerate than he, and I flatter myself that he considers 
his Asst. Secretary a prize in a small way. 
Are not you getting tired of this prosy letter, written when I 
should have been in bed an hour ago, but for your epistle. To come 
to an end, however, I will carefully follow all your directions about 
vessels, etc. and will indicate on a separate slip some additional 
desiderata. 
I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing Master Wizlizenus, 
though I understand from Mister W. that he is a wonderful individual, 
in fact something remarkable. Of the accuracy of this impression, 
coming from such a source, there can, of course, be no question. 
Mrs. W. is not yet allowed to see company, but is doing well. And 
now with inexpressible love to dear Mrs. M., and plenty of the same 
to yourself, goodbye, 
From your affectionate 
S. F. Barrp. 
