
          Wms. Aug. 30. 1825

My Dear sir,

I have been expecting you here all
this month & am disappointed that you have not
shown yourself. But so it is  I suppose, you could
not. And now, overwhelmed with business, I can
only write you a line.      I recd. your letter
in due time, & should be glad to talk over some
of it. As to the Cummingtonite I have only
to say that no dependence is to be placed on that
from [Lec?]. That is Hornblend  [?] says
that he told [Lec?] so at once & that it was not
Cummingtonite. Besides  what if it does
run into Hornblend  that does not prove
it a distinct mineral, as you will know 
for many species would go down at once. Now
I beg of you not to run into the folly of
some of the southerners, which too many in
our country seem to show, an entire unwillingness
to have any thing new, unless it
be discovered by themsleves. This is a shameful
[?], by whomsoever indulged  &
you must be above it. Now the Cummingtonite
is [?], the smallest portion will
sometimes just form a black slag  it is hard
too  & very silicacious  & entirely different from
Hornblend, as I think. But let it be analyzed,
& then we will see; if possible I
will send you some [?].

Shepard thinks it between Hornblend &
        