p.1

Chicago 29 Jan. 1872

1029 Mich. Av.

My Dear Lapham,

I have your communication
in reference to forest trees. It is
valuable, and I shall incorporate every
word of it verbatim et literature. I don't
know whether I have expressed to you my
views with regard to Schoolcraft's archeo-
ological labors. I think those magnificent
volumes published by Congress illustrated
by a profusion of costly engravings, on the
best of paper, the best of typography, etc. will
stand as a monument of [illegible] a legis-
lative body is capable of distinguishing
between true science and its empiric
cultivators. Humboldt properly called
this work a "Common place book."
the receptacle for the crudest thoughts, by
men, who by education & research, were
not capable of instructing a village lyceum.
Schoolcraft seems to have had a
notion about the commonest idea, if expressed
in stilted [phrase?], became a great generaliza-
tion. Just [illegible] to his description of [illegible]
"Garden Beds." There is a Sir Oracle tone
about all his announcements, which is dis-
gusting to those who have worked in the
same field, and are infinitely his superiors
in knowledge. He lets you chat on the
[Grave?] Creek mound was found growing