
          formed in his mind but he has many good qualities
 [per contra?]


 For myself I live a mere organism parasitical
 at that attached to a government place. I know very
 few of us here will survive 1861 & I try to be wise in
 time. I have just now concluded the purchase of six
 acres of ground on the Virginia side of the Potomac 3 miles
 from this office which will be something better than paying 
 rent & market prices - and [ad?] interim am waiting
 to be called out to Sonora to make that Survey which
 [?] & revolution has so long prevented. I do not
 know how to advise raising such a sum as that required
 for an observatory. I can only tell how to raise a sum under
 $10,000 every year by annual subscription & I am endeavoring
 now to get an hospital started on that principle that 
 is small subscriptions annually but such a sum as 1/4
 million I have no idea of.  It is like astronomical ideas
 generally far above my comprehension.


 With kind recollections to your daughters
 & respect for yourself
 Believe me
 Yours Sincerely
 Thomas Antisell

        