ET. 69.) TO R. W. CHURCH, 693 
I wait with great interest your volume on Phyto- 
graphy. You will see that in my new “Text-Book” 
we are quite in accord. I agree with you about new 
and useless terms, and the execrable taste of the 
Germans. 
I am very strong, and can eo a mountain as 
well as ever, only I lose breath except I move slowly 
in the ascent. 
Memory rather fails; otherwise I have at near 
sixty-nine all my faculties in fair condition. 
It has happened that I have visited Europe every 
eleven years. According to that you should see me 
next year! I cannot promise; but I am always 
affectionately yours, Asa Gray. 
TO R. W. CHURCH. 
November 11, 1879. 
I forgot to ask if you, or your friend Lord Blach- 
a knew Arthur James Balfour, M. P., author of 
“A Defense of Philosophie Doubt,” published re- 
cently by Maemillan ? 
It is the most masterly essay I have seen of late 
years, and I should like to know who the man is, and 
what you think of his book. 
I have been drawn into promising, in an unguarded. 
moment, to give two lectures to the theological class 
of Yale College (our oldest university after Povaed) 
some time in the course of the winter, on Science and 
Religion; a topic which calls for wise speaking. I 
am not very hopeful, but still I have an idea I may 
do some good. I wish you were in reach, that we 
might talk over the subject... . 
