Box 11, Folder 3: Correspondence September-December 1871

Ans'd Dec 18

New York Dec 13th 1871

Dr Lapham,

Dear Sir,

I have for some time taken great pleasure in watching the changes of the weather, and trying to predict what changes we should be likely to have for the following day: in this I have only partially succeeded as yet, and I have for about a month been reading Mr. Espy's law on Storms and Dove's also; from these I have learned a great deal, but have also found that there is much more to be learned.

My great object in writing to you is to find some way of telling in which direction the wind is likely to blow and also its mean force.

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but having been advised to write to you, by a gentleman who is one of the librarians of the Astor library, and who said that when he belonged to the Historical Society of Chicago that you sent them a drawing of an instrument for telling which way the wind had been blowing; I thought that perhaps you might be able to give me some idea of what I want, and I earnestly request that if you can tell me some rules or tell me what instrument to buy for that purpose; you will send me word before New Years day, and that if I receive any information from you I shall be most happy to send you any records on the commencement and end of Storms or what ever you may desire:

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Now as far as I have read, I can find no rules except such as this; that a a high North or North West wind which ends with a calm is followed by a South wind which brings rain, and this if it rises high, shifts to the West, North West, and North: if these latter winds become violent, they sometimes shift to the North East and blow for several days together, or else end in a calm which is followed by a South wind and so on, and several others which I have found generally hold good; but I have not found any way, (nor do I know that there is any,) for telling with certainty from what direction the wind will blow on the following day.

I intend to write to Prof. Henry and ask him if he can assist me in this subject

H. N. Cu [Curtis]

or if you know any Persons or Societies who would like monthly reports please to send me their names and addresses.

Yours truly

Herbert N Curtis 24 West 22d Street New York

Madison Wisconsin 11 Dec. 1871

Dr. I. A. Lapham,

Dear Sir:

Your favor containing the photographs of the 6th fragment of the Wisconsin Meteorite is just received. The letter mentioning the subject was received several days since. I did not reply as I thot [thought] I would lay the matter before the President before doing so. It is our fall vacation, and I have not seen him to mention the subject. I will lay

the subject before him soon, and let you know of the probability of the University's being able to purchase it.

It would give me great pleasure to know that we can secure it, but knowing the amount of money that can be spent for such purposes is small, I fear the authorities will hardly think it practicable at present. I will advocate the purchase however for I know we want it and can't afford to let any other Institution get it from us.

With kind regards I remain Yours Very Truly,

W. W. Daniells