Letter from GEORGE PERKINS MARSH to SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD, dated March 19, 1855.
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Friend Spencer
In two days from this 19' of March goeth my Discourse of Camels, somewhat expanded and more annotated to Prof Henry to be imprinted as an Anhang to the . Pray thy devil, I pray thee to deal gently with me in the matter of misprints. I have suffered grievously of such. Let my hard words, of which as is reason, there be many, be well and truly rendered in type. They be plainly written now and the compositor shall be an ass if he err herein. Also send me so many as thou mayest of the report, and if, as is possible, there be of mine Essay, then more of the same.
My famulus took a package for mine especial good friend Gemellaro (precious wine of Etna and choice counsels he gave me), at Nicolosi. If it will
help it through custom houses, put the stamp of thy office thereon, but when thou writest to the
scribe of the Giosnian, insinuate that the tomes for Gemellaro of Nicolosi (not him of
Catalinia) are a of mine own, in regard that my letter to the worthy Dottore
may miscarry.
We arrived here not sooner than Wednesday. My dame was and is but feeble,
and seeing that misery loves company, might naturally wish thy spouse like evil conditions, but
doth not, nor doth thine old & trusty gossip.
G. P. Marsh
Prof. S. F. Baird
P.S. This is but private, but I shall accompany my manuscript with a formal official missive to thy principal.
References in this letter:
Marsh published two works on the Camel: "The Camel," in Report of the Smithsonain Institution for 1854, 98-122. 33 Cong. 2 Sess., Sen. Misc. Doc. 24. Washington, 1855. The Camel: His Organization, Habits and Uses, considered with Reference to His Introduction into the United States. Boston: Gould and Lincoln, 1856.
Trained as a physicist, Joseph Henry (1797-1878) was professor of natural philosophy at Princeton University where he conducted original research on electricity and magnetism. When the Smithsonian Institution was created, he was chosen as its first Secretary. From 1846 to 1878 Henry established basic policies and defined the scope of the Smithsonian's activities.
Carlo Gemmellaro (1787-1866), author of several works on Sicilian geology in general and Mount Etna in particular.