314 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. (1844, 
neglected to write home since my return. I have 
been very busy, of course, since the 8d of the 
month, when I reached Cambridge, in answering the 
heap of letters that had accumulated, and in other 
business. And I have but just found time to com- 
mence the preparation of my course of lectures before 
the Lowell Institute, which is to commence on the 
27th of February, and which will give me plenty of 
labor and anxiety until they are over. . 
T have laid in a good stock of health ‘end strength 
for the labors of the winter — which I am like to ued, 
for I have a great deal to do. Another year, if our 
lives are spared, I trust you will make me a visit here. 
I have just given notice that I shall wish to take pos- 
session of the Botanic Garden house (now rented to 
one of the professors) next autumn, where, if I can 
get a room or two furnished, I shall have a place to 
entertain you. Affectionate regards to mother and 
all the family. 
TO JOHN TORREY. 
CamBrinGE, February 17. 
My time of trial draws near. A week from Tues- 
day I begin. There has been a pretty brisk applica- 
tion for tickets. But I have yet very much to do. 
My two last lectures are not even blocked out upon 
paper. Many pictures are yet to be made, and I shall 
have a busy time indeed until they are all delivered. 
The end will be deliverance indeed. Yet strange as 
it may seem, my spirits are rather on the rise ; though 
I will not answer for them for ten days longer. 
I have written an introductory which, with a few 
more touches, I shall be satisfied with. And some of 
my lectures which have least illustrations — such 
