226. THE CORRESPONDENCE OF SCHWEINITZ AND TORREY 
husband by this time will be better able to appreciate them. The 
purpose (viz. that which my duty imposes) of my whole journey, 
makes it indispensable that I should be at Herrnhut in Upper 
Lusatia, Saxony, by the 30th day of May next, while certain 
events, in themselves highly desirable, but most unfortunately 
ill timed, to be expected in my family will forbid my leaving home 
earlier than to allow me to arrive at New York 2 or three days 
before the 1st April on which day it is evidently necessary for 
me to embark if I wish to have any reasonable hope left of reaching 
my place of destination in time. You see, my dear Sir, that 
under such circumstances all my hopes of having the pleasure of 
seeing you, which next to the safe arrival of a little girl in my 
ouse, I most ardently desire of all things, will depend on the 
possibility of your calling for me at Mr. Mortimer’s on one of the 
two or three days before the 1st of April—if I succeed in this hope, 
I shall take it as an omen faustissimum that I shall be further 
able to propitiate the Sea & Wind Gods & the tremendous host 
of Infernals usually styled Postmasters in Germany in such a 
manner as to complete my Journey in time to have an odd week 
for seeing more of Paris (where I have never been) than can be 
seen thro’ the coach windows of a Diligence. 
You will, however, be able to judge from the above how little 
time I can in the best event devote, outward bound, to science &c.— 
& that Linneaus, Descandolles, Persoon, & all the semi & demigods 
of Botany holding council ten miles out of my direct route, could 
hardly justify a deviation of that length. Nevertheless, if I can 
take charge of anything for you, which does not absolutely require 
personal delivery, it will give me the most sensible pleasure. - 
I have proposed to Mr. Halsey—as I have not a moment’s time 
now to devote to Botany (I don’t know whether you are aware that 
notwithstanding my want of abilities & qualifications I am clothed 
swith some 15 or 20 different official capacities, all of which re- 
quire some management when about to be suspended for 9 months) 
tho’ without much hope that it will be of material use as regards the 
proposed publication of my Carices [71], on account of the lateness 
of the Idea, to bring with me to New York my whole collection of 
Carices European & American for his and your use during my ab- 
sence. It would at least enable you to become ocularly acquainted 
