326 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
I do wish you would give in Silliman a synopsis of genera and 
species of Cyprinodonts, for the benefit of those who cannot make 
head or tail of the subject, as must be the case with all except your- 
self. 
Sincerely yours, 
S. F. Barrp. 
The summer season this year was spent at Elizabeth- 
town, New York. The copy of the Journal contains 
nothing relating to the period between July, 1855, and 
January, 1859. From some other brief notes I gather 
that in the summer of 1856 they went to Beasley’s Point, 
and in 1857 and 1858 to Carlisle. 
From John Cassin to Spencer F. Baird. 
Pua. Apr. 17, 1855. 
Inclinations differ, Professor,—also tastes and talents— 
the scope and verge of ambition being wide enough to afford con- 
siderable variety—one man aspires to universal empire—nearly 
succeeds—another is perfectly satisfied with balancing a straw on 
his nose—success better than universal empire—and rather astonish- 
ing how nearly both come out alike in the long run,—considerably 
the same in the upshot,—I have somewhat tried, Professor, the 
universal empire business—hereafter my attention shall be directed 
greatly to the perpendicularity of a straw rightly placed, as above 
signified. 
No manner of good comes of hard work—discretion is the better 
part of many things besides valor,—I will not write letters to oblige 
everybody,—they may be obliged or not and be darned—I will 
specially not be used by Sir nor Sir Knight nor Sir 
Squire Anybody else—I’ll see him, her or them darned first—here 
endeth the first lesson. 
Yours ever, 
J. Cassin. 
