
          on botany &c.[etc.] at two villages at once. I shall
play between them and boost them [added: as I did Emmons in 1820.] The western villages
have only had a few bungling fellows with
them; and they have no zeal. If I have my
health I will play Nettletown and Whitfield
among them. My books never go to the west.
But I will [crossed out: make] open a passage for your
flora and all my trash there if I can
only have health. I have been put back
in the health way for the last six months.
I am inclined to turns of asthma. They are
short; generally but three or four days.
But they sometimes have me hoarse. I 
am well now, however, and not hoarse.

Here is a fellow who will make a great naturalist,
and a real clever fellow. He is a great favorite of Nuttall.
He is in the senior class and will graduate in 
September. His name is Charles U. Shepard.
His father was a Rhode Island clergyman. Since
his death his mother moved to this place and purchased
a house &c.[etc.] He has an excellent collection of minerals.
He starts off the first day he heard of a new locality of
a mineral 50 or 100 miles. He is an accomplished gentleman
of real genius. I wish you would elect him a 
corresponding member of the N. York Lyceum. I will
be answerable that he shall pay his fees &c.[etc.]  Give him
the proper notice, and let the fees be marked on the corner of it.

I think I shall be in New York about the
20th of May. I calvulate to go to New Haven by
land in my new carriage, and go home [added: myself] in the steam boat. I shall
stop at my brother's in Norwalk, Con. at N. Yowk, and at
West Point.

L.C. Beck told me, [added: (I think it was he)] that Percival's was but a temporary appointment.
That a professorship f Rhetoric and Belleslettres was
soon to be created there, then Percival was to fill that place, 
and you to  take the chemistry and natural history. I supposed
you referred to this arrangement when you said you was a candidate;
for I had heard this story two monthsbefore you wrote. I have heard
too, that Silliman would take it, if the place should be made into a professorship.
But he would not be "Assistant surgeon, acting Chem Prof" as Catbush was.

Yours
Amos Eaton

[vertical note in left margin]
N.B. Thecorporation of this college already have an eye upon Chas. U. Shepard
as Professor of Chemistry and Natural History, when the professorship is estanlished, which will be soon.
        