
          Providence April 3, 1870

Dear Doctor Torrey

Your kind letter of 11 March came
duly to hand and as you "hoped in two or three days to
answer all of my letters in detail." I have been delayed
replying to yours until now.

I feel ashamed of myself in trespassing upon your
time which is so valuable to you and shall try hereafter
to do less of it. You were always so genial, kind, and
obliging; to me that perhaps I have exceeded due bounds.

I had Watsons Carics from him to examine. two species
of Palmer only from Parry and no others from
that Department since I examined the general collection
last spring or summer.

Shall be pleased to examine "that number of species
of my [pets]" when you get ready to send them.

Miss [Smith?], the boys, myself will be pleased to see
you and yours whether you drop in unexpectedly
"on some pleasant [added: evening"]or announced. You are mistaken
as to any trouble you give us. We have a pleasant
house, four servants, three [crossed out: servants] houses and
other surroundings to make our guests comfortable
if they come to see us. The only change [added: from usual course] we make
if our guests come more than one at a time we
double up. Miss Smith is more particular as to the
table linen, and the ordinary white dinner set
is changed to another, simply because the first
has got broken and incomplete. So much for domestic economy.
        