
          grim in a sight of him here in the Highlands. I think you will
have to take him to the summit of the Catskills!

Drs. [Lewis] Beck & Horton are busy with our rocks & minerals. The latter 
told me that you expect to explore the drowned lands in
their coutnry soon and said that Dr. [McMenus?] would gladly be
your companion and guide.

I am as you may suppose very busily engaged this season between
building my new house & superintending my gardens but shall
be glad to hear from or see you as often possible. It would
give me pleasure to send you a basket of flowers weekly. Could you
send on board the boat for them on a certain days.

Apropos of building: When you wish Dr. Gray write your bear me
in mind and beg him to look for plaster busts of Linneus, [?]
Decandollo etc. I want within 2 or 4 to ornament the large square
hall in my house. I do not mean to trouble the Dr. to purchase &
send them out for me or I suppose he has comissions enought already
but only to send me word where they can be procured ao that I can
order them. A minute of this kind will much oblige me. The portrait
of Mr. Nuttall that Dr. [Samuel] Mead once proposed I have now in
good [presentation?] What was the name of his nephew who painted it?

I hope you will notice Epimedium alpinum a pretty little plant
with rich brown flowers. It grows well in the garden soil contrary to
my expectations.

Hoping to see or hear from you soon I am

Sincerely your

A.J. Downing

PS I believe the Hort. Association are to have an
exhibition in Albany in May. What has become of
[Hogg?] and his garden
        