
          And. [Answered] Feby. [February] 3rd.

Providence January 30th 1854

My Dear Doctor

After many delays I
have at length obtained possession of
my delinquent packages. There seems
to have been a conspiracy of the
fates against me, for the steamer which
brought them from New York broke down
of course, & was two days behind her
time. Never ship merchandize [merchandise] in the same
bottom with anything of mine if you
wish to get in in a hurry.

You may imagine the interest with which
I opened the parcels to learn their state
& the pleasure with which I discovered that
the specimens were not much injured.
With some few exceptions they scarcely suffered
from dampness but the principal
injury is from rubbing, though considering
that they have been shaking about for
some eight months this is not as great
        