
          My first lecture is to-day finished, and has this 
 evening been read to Mr. [John A.] Albro. Half of it is devoted to 
 a serving up of Vestiges of Creation (which Boott says 
 is written by Sir Richard Vivian), showing that the objectionable conclusions 
 rest upon gratuitous and unwarranted inferences from established 
 or probable facts. Peirce is examining [Gerrit Jan] Mulder, that we may 
 fairly get at his point of view. His conclusions as to equivocal 
 generation are non constat from his own premises. 
 On the whole series of subjects Peirce (who is much pleased with 
 the way I have put the case in my introductory) and myself 
 think of concocting a joint article, tho' my time will prevent 
 me from working out some of the subsidiary points just now. 


 I assure you I am quite well and hearty, just in capital working 
 mood. As to the lectures, I must work hard all the way through, 
 but do not feel any misgivings. My house is hot enough. I assure 
 you: no trouble on that score. If the members of Lyceum are such
 fools pray let it go, and don't trouble yourself about a dead horse.


 As to spontaneous generation, the experiment of Schultz [Carl H. Schultz-Schultzenstein] is nearly 
 or quite a test, and goes against it. 


 Love to all. Ever Yours. A. [Asa] Gray 


 Prof. John Torrey
 Medical College
 67 Crosby St.
 New York

        