John Torrey letters, 1831-1873. Asa Gray correspondence files of the Gray Herbarium, 1820-1904. gra00078. Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University.

20 Professor {Jospeh} Henry Princeton New Jersey

[postmark] NEW-YORK JAN 16

Dr Torrey Jany 16 1835

College of Phys. & Surgs., New York. Feb. 2nd 1835.

My dear friend,

Seated at the table in our Examination Hall. I feel that I cannot wile away the time more agreeably than in writing you a few lines. Your letter of the 23rd ult. came to hand on Saturday & this morning Mr. Hart (as I suppose) came into my laboratory to tell me that he had a parcel for you, enquiring whether I expected to have an opportunity of sending it to Princeton shortly. I sent for it at once & it is now lying on the table at my side. I know not where to find your Mr. D'Hart or I would send it by him. He dropped your letter to me into the post office. Dr. Rhinelander says that he will send to Princeton on Wednesday & perhaps I will entrust the parcel to him.

So you mean that I shall not be idle next summer! You must not expect me to lecture much oftener than I did last summer. Not that I wish to be idle, but the young men must have time to study the subject, & to attend recitations. Pray let me have the text books in readiness this year. I will ascertain in time whether there will be a new edition of {Edward} Turner out before the course commences.

I wrote to {Alexander Dallas} Bache last week & returned thanks for my election. It is not probable that I shall send them a paper very soon for I have work on my hands that is hardly the thing they want — & besides my botanical memoirs are pledged for the Lyceum.

I should like to work with you on Electricity. When will you conclude your experiments? Do post up all your discoveries & secure them in the Phil Journ, & then begin a fresh score. Has {Michael} Faraday anticipated any one of your results?

Really I am sorry that Gray cannnot obtain a place in Princeton, for I know he would be a great acquisition. He has no superior in Botany — considering his age — & any sub= =ject that he takes up he handles it in a masterly manner. He will stay with me till I go to Princeton — & then I know not what arrangements to make with him. Surely I agree he cannot live in Princeton on his present salary if he was sore pinched when he had two situations! I would not on any account drive him away, though I think he is of very little use to us — but if he should take it in his head to leave us — why I should like to see a very good man in his place. ___ Cherries — ! Cherries — ! Cherries! You shall have some if they are to be got — I mean Mrs Henry shall — for I would not hunt them up for you, as much as I care for you. I have several times looked for some for myself, but I could find none that please me — There are some to be had with the stores in town — but they are not so good as the others. Tomorrow, or the next day, I will make a fresh search for some.

The pneumatic trough is in my laboratory. I think it best not to have it varnished till it reaches Princeton for

it may get bruised in the transportation. You must not expect to see anything very grand or you will be disappointed. It is a good article, however, & will not disgrace the college as the old one did. I shall have it packed shortly & take it on with me, for I must visit Princeton when our examination is over. Then I hope to make arrangements for the accommodation of my family during our residence there.

It was a good thought to hire a tinker for a servant — Pray hold on to him till I come, & then the fellow can't go if he will. He shall have his hands full — I would rather have a worker in metals than in wood. You don't say whether you will take the large shears. I can get an excellent pair — quite large — for $6!

It is time for me to stop, as it is nearly my turn to examine. Present my regards to Mrs. Henry & remember me to all our friends in Princeton.

Yours very truly John Torrey

Dr Torrey Feby 1835

20 Professor Joseph Henry Princeton New Jersey

[faded postmark] NEW YORK MAR 3

New York. Febry. 18th 1835

My dear friend

I wrote you a letter on the 29th of December last, but no answer [to it] has yet been received. Perhaps it miscarried. I hope it did, for then you have a good excuse for not writing.

My course in the Medical College is nearly com= pleted for this season. It terminates on the 28th of the month. There are pretty good prospects of our obtaining a new building in time for our next session. Our professors & trustees are to have a joint meeting this evening, & I hope we shall be able to make definite arrangements on the subject. If the college is not built next summer, I have some idea of rent= =ing my house for a year & hiring one at Princeton. Can one be obtained that would suit me — Not in the village? I would like to live in the "West End" — not because it is stylish but because it is a pleasanter, & I think, a healthier situation than towards N. Brunswick.

I informed you that had a new pneumatic trough for the College under consideration. It is now completed, & will, I think, please you. The glass air holders perform admirally. The whole will cost not much