
          in public journals, with a view to injure
a real friend, the favor the low malignity
of an obsolete blackguard, [crossed out: because] on account
of his claiming to be the bastard
of a British Peer. [crossed out: He] [added: F.] may have been 
a Nobleman's bastard, or [crossed out: that] of the
Nobleman's groom; as both, probably, had
access to the servant girl. However he is
a Nobleman, of course. Talents and fidelity
give character; but I never heard of
illegitamacy as a wonderful passport into
fame before. F. should not be lowered or 
raised in that account; but it seems he
and C. place all his strength there, as it
was their done in [Sampsons?}. heard of old. Will
you countenance such assumptions? F. was totally
ignorant of every thing called Science, until your
Lyceum instructed him. He has much ready [?],
and might be something [added: if he had a little modesty and a few years of fidelity]. He has a smattering, and
a tact at blackguardism. Shall he change our habits
of investigation into virulent sarcasm?* Will you
countenance it? Will Delafield? Will any number of
the Lyceum but Cooper? Your Lyceum has lowered 
50 per cent[percent] by F. All our respecting men will soon
withdraw. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci.[Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences] I suppose you know
turn their backs upon the blackguard
plan [added: as appears in the case of F's filthy gulssings about Silliman]. Your Lyceum was rising rapidly, until 
you let in this foul disgusting illnatured course
of practice.

I called to see you, when you was in
N. Jersey. I regretted that I could not
see you. I can [?] you with many
astounding facts, in relation to your
late degeneracy at the Lyceum, and
the views of the best men in the community in
relation to that subject. It is not an easy matter

[vertical note in left margin]
* If public sarcasm becomes essential, I once had
a tart[taste?] at that too, in days of politics. But if I am driven to [revisit?]
that practice, I will try it on something respectable than F.
        