2 
R. Gaspari' 
April 1, 1877 
was strenger^ The first night, Tuesday to Wednesday and also the 
Wednesday passed qui4fcly,in fact,really better, However, Wednesday, , 
March 28 severe fever developed toward evening,and the father began 
to talk confusedly. .Thursday,early around 5 o.c^.he became qujßter,, 
the death began^tand at 7:35 life was lost.*. 
We both lose in him a true, tnisted friend:, T the best I ever had,. 
But for science the loss is of immense significance« Most to be re- 
gretted is,that he did not combine in one opus his spores in a 
monograph nor his morphological research. I consider hinr as the raost 
important, knowledgable and deepest botanist of the times, with an 
outstanding characteri The younger generation has unf ortunately very 
many-pushers (ambitious ones, E.D.). Rachs specially, who is supposed 
to be a firm character^-, has as ••Jack of all trades" (verbatim in the 
text.E.D. ) has got a hiige reputation^ in the large public.which- in - 
cludes the medics -. group,, through TAn-iting of handbooks and" rewri- 
ting of original subjects of sound- judgements.. 
I know, that it is not possible to re place your Fraurx,, but, to 
my ability, I will gladly suppig' what botanical needs you may have in 
Germany.'. 
To the burrial,which is supposed to take place this af ternooir- at 
3 pm I can not go. My wife needs me at home, because she is in treat- 
ment of the most oustanding surgeon of our city.Prof. Schonhorn, be - 
cause a fracture (thigh)gives her great trouble as no binding has pro- 
perly closed it. She cannot walk and the worst pains are are on the 
right side, up below the breast; hopefully Schc^nhorn will be able to 
provide a breast-binding. 
With best greetings from my wife and me to yours with hearty^ 
ve^eration- Your Robert Caspary- 
(translated from Germ.an Script by Edgar Denison, July 1988 ) 
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