
          the book. The matters that I have found fault with, 
 so far from having been so praised abroad, are now
 (in this book) published for the first time! [Added: So all that 
 goes for nothing.] 


 To show what a fine get off the Italics at the 
 close of his first paragraph are, compare with the 
 matter spoken [crossed: off] [added: of] on p. 41 of my article. A beautiful trick! 


 Let him show that a single point is falsely or
 inconclusively put, and then it will be time to reply to 
 him, and the reply will be easy. This he does
 not do, the inference is plain that he cannot. 
 Surely he has every wish and inducement to do it. 


 In writing a provoking article, as mine really was, one 
 does not know where he may be vulnerable. I am
 glad to find that Dr. D. [Draper] has found no place to insert his
 lance. As to the cloud of dust, and the whole ad captandum 
 vulgus, let him have full swing. It will not
 annoy me. If any competent persons do [crossed out: es] do not [added: see] the true
 state of the case, they must be asses, and it would be 
 throwing away powder to attempt to enlighten them. 


 As to "taking the conceit" out of a man, that is not 
 always easily done. A man who can introduce such rigmarole 
 into a scientific treatise is nearly past cure. 
 Besides, is it not enough to "write a man down an ass,"
 without obliging him formally to "own the soft impeachment."
 You really are too hard upon the Doctor. 


 As to "wickedly assailing" him, of course I deny the charge. 


 As to your having aided the concoction, that is easily disposed
 of. The main staple of the article was written long ago, 
 With none had you any thing to do. Pray do not 
 notice any change in print, that is not made in 
 print! If you, or Dr. Gilman choose to show, in conversation, 
 now he plays [brag?][merely?], and avoids every point,
 and mistates very well. When he calls any one in 
 question, I hope to be ready. But pray keep cool!
        