21 Oct 1848 [2] (seq. 215)

I completed my first week of botanical lectures yesterday &
shall (DV) continue till the end of the month on the same subject. Our
regular courses will not commence till the 30th inst. on the [?] &c. We
found it was an injury to the college (& of course to the professors) to be-
gin before the usual time. Our prospects cannot be known till
more students arrive.

I am now (I believe) fairly before the Free Academy as a candidate
for the chair of Chemistry. Nearly all the other Professors were
nominated (almost as good as appointed) last week. Indeed they were
selected a fortnight ago. I regret that Mr. Brace was too late
for my testimonial. Great exertions were made for all the places,
by numerous applicants. There were 150 candidates, & the committee
were 5 1/2 hours every night for more than a week reading testimonials!

My application was put in last week & a member of the nominating
committee who returned to the city yesterday, after an absence of
some days, told me that the department of Chemistry was probably
left unfilled on account of my name being unexpectedly presented, & the wish to
see him on the subject. If I fail it will be because I did not offer in
time. Indeed I knew very little about the institution until quite
lately — but now I find it will be highly respectable. It would suit me
exactly & I shall try hard for the place. Henry has sent the Board
a strong letter in my behalf. Thus far I have not sent any other testi=
monial — but will procure others if my friends in the Board think it de=
=sirable that I should do so —

[loss]
new & very saleable house in N.York of about the same [loss]
which he proposes dispensing of that he may buy mine & reside here
with his family. His pecuniary affairs are growing brighter.

Mrs. Torrey & the girls were much pleased with Jane's kind note to me.
One of the girls will, I hope, soon be able to make her a short visit. They
feel a little shy, however, as they the have never had the pleasure of ever
seeing your wife. It will probably be Eliza or Madge who will
go — as Jane has taken her share of travelling for the season. She left us
nearly a month ago & is now at West Point. The great difficulty about
Mrs. Torrey leaving home is that the boys will be left very much to
themselves.

Their sisters cannot take all the care of them that is necessary. Tell Jane
I will answer her note soon. There is no time to write more by this
mail. Give my love to her & Carey. — Yours affectionately
John Torrey