
          Recd [Received] [crossed out: Febr.] March 7th


 Middletown Feb 9th 1835.


 My Dear Friend


 I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you
 dated Jany 31st mentioning a number of facts of particular
 interest to me and sufficient [added: to induce me] were I not so much
 otherways engaged to visit NY again to look into your
 study which has now become a wonderful place for
 curious botanical matters. At the time your letter
 came to hand I was particularly anxious to hear from 
 you, having been informed by a medical student
 from NY that you and Dr. Gray had met with a very
 serious accident occasioned by the explosion of
 some fulminating compound but I could not learn
 the particulars.  It had my informant said got
 into the papers but though I made search I could find
 nothing related to it.


 What I saw of your Chemical experiments gave me the
 highest satisfaction as regards your skill as an operator
 &c &c but I thought you too daring with some ticklish
 materials that Mr. Brand [William Thomas Brande] at the Royal Institution used
 to be very Cautious with, indeed I cannot now but
 think if his head was duly examined according to the
 rules of [Johann] Spurzheim, it would be found that the
 bumps of Cautiousness would be tolerably large, and yours
 I fear not enough for your safety in all cases.


 I was truly gratified to be honoured with a letter from
 Dr. Hooker the same that passed through your hands
 on the 4th inst [instant]  By this time I hope the large Collection
 of willows is safe in Glasgow. Dr. Hooker has written
 me to send cuttings of our willows to his friend the Duke
 of Bedford before the Spring, and has instructed me
        