
          My Dear Friend 


 Your favor mailed
 the 10th has just reached me. It first 
 startled, and then amused me. You first 
 spoke of charge affecting my credit and good 
 name, [crossed out: greatly affecting my] and which 
 much excited Dr. Gilman & yourself, as such 
 things ought. But when we come to particulars, 
 [crossed out: you][added: I] find that it is only a charge of 
 ignorance. Now that ought not to make
 such trouble. One may be reasonably honest, 
 and yet an ignoramus. Then as to the matter 
 of which you speak, you are excited, and do not 
 give good advice. You have not consideration 
 enough for Dr Draper. He plainly shows that 
 he has been hit hard, and that there is no 
 getting away from the unenviable position in 
 which he stands. Of course to abuse, or to 
 decry motives, or to charge ignorance is his sole
 resource. I have not seen the article in the Express, 
 but I conclude it is much like the other. You see he avoids
 every point upon which I touch him. 


 As to the ignorance, I know that what Physiology there 
 is is good. As to the Chemistry, it is step by step [Jean Baptiste]Dumas,
 & Draper knows that. His charge of ignorance just lies them
 against the eminent French Chemist. 


 The statement on p. 21, was just as it stood in a 
 general form in my lecture. And my eye did not rest

        