206 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF SCHWEINITZ AND TORREY 
The copy of my Flora [89] I send you was damaged last night 
by the rain which penetrated my room. I have not another at 
hand, but you shall have a good one before long. 
Yours truly 
Jonn TORREY. 
SCHWEINITZ TO TORREY 
BETHLEHEM March 3d 1824 
My dearest Sir 
It is not surely to me that an apology is due for the interruption 
of our to me delightful correspondence for no less than two of 
your favors (of the 15th & 27th ult) are before me unanswered. 
They gave me the most lively pleasure I assure you—but so much 
the more I am grieved in being able to give you for the present 
so little satisfaction. Unexpected hindrances have ever since I 
completed my little Carex labors [71], such as I. have taken the 
liberty to trouble you with—almost entirely prevented me from 
paying any attention to my botanical studies & still do so in a great 
measure. The first & worst was my indisposition, which but 
for an extraordinary exertion, threatened to immerse me in the 
most dreadful of all states, complete Hypochondria.—You can judge 
of what I was approaching when I inform you—that a resort to 
Botany, which had ever been a sure cure & relaxation to my mind— 
not only failed of its wonted efficacy—but that I even at times was 
upon the point of sacrificing it to the Demon that was assailing 
me, & felt something of that mental derangement which I pre- 
sume is the precursor of suicide under other circumstances, prompt- 
ing me to destroy my collections—or at least to dispose of them 
out of my sight. I thank God, that by the help of some good 
Doses I was enabled to conquer & am quite restored to my senses 
as well as to my health. But I had not yet fully recovered when a 
press of the most urgent business came upon me, which altho’ it 
put me in a useful activity has utterly prevented me from taking 
up (except for a moment at a time) anything not in the absolute 
path of duty—nor am I yet entirely thro’—altho’ I begin to per- 
ceive soundings. 
Under such circumstances you will forgive if I am not yet able 
to satisfy all your requests. The package you announce in your 
last has not yet arrived—I shall however take measures immedi- 
