274 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. _ (1840, 
consequences of loss of rest, I was never, perhaps, 
more perfectly in health, and a fortnight or so of 
botanizing will restore my strength. You kindly in- 
quire about my plans and prospects. These are so far 
favorable that they will give me (D. V.) another year 
of nearly undivided attention to the “ Flora.” Not long 
since I was officially informed that the opening of our 
university would be postponed another year, on ac- 
count of unfavorable times, and the preparations not 
being sufficiently advanced. So I am told that I can 
have my time nearly all to myself until next spring 
(1841) if I wish (which of course I do), but without 
any salary, which, indeed, I could not with any pro- 
priety take while I perform no duty. By very close 
economy I think I shall get on for the year to come, 
and be able to accomplish a good deal of botanical. 
work. I am going to pay the Michigan people a 
visit, and if they make good their promises made to 
me a year ago, as I have reason to think they will, 
their course towards me will have been liberal and 
honorable. I have good reason to hope they will 
eventually succeed in their plans. 
By the London packet of the 15th of June we hope 
to send you and other friends some copies of the 
“Flora,” parts 3 and 4. There are so many errors, so 
much bad printing, and so many things that we could 
now do much better, that I regret that any portion was 
published before my visit to Europe. Many of the 
most important corrections are given with additions, 
etc., in a supplement, but I hope we shall continue to 
improve as we go on. We can work to much greater 
advantage than before, from being much better sup- 
plied with books, as well as with specimens and in- 
formation. Yet often do I wish to be within reach of 
