you how many pieces there are
in the set of Botanical papier
mache specimens from Germany
and how long time ahead would
you be obliged to order them.
If he succeeds to in raising this
sum without entering his own
purse. I am sure a set will be
ordered cash on delivery as he would
have some time to make up the
amount. Shall be pleased to
hear from you at an early date.
Yours truly
S.C. Bierce
We have a P.O. here now so that
the address Xenia is not needed.
W. Univ. Wilberforce O
Dear Sir.
As we are expecting
Bishop Payne by the 1st
of Oct. I write you hoping
you may find it possible to
visit us at that time. I
am enjoying the Museum
greatly in Zoology. I feel
that a great burden is lifted
from my labors. Shortly
after you left the "Island of
Palma" fell, not being propped
in the case and ^was^ [renewed?]. When
the articles you send are forwarded
please let me know
so that I may know when to
send to Xenia for them.
Have you any book of explanation
for the German Zoölogical
charts which are [numbered?]
profusely? We open this
year with better prospects than
ever before. We much desire that you come in
Oct. if your labors will allow
it.
Yours respectl'y
S. C. Bierce
PS Having P. O. facilities now please address as per heading.
B
Dear Sir.
Yours rec'd as indicated by postal written hurriedly at the office. Your postal received Sat. night. Owing to dilatory movements on the part of a messenger, I did not get measurements until now. I send all here. Doors are not tongued and grooved. The exact length of case doors is 6ft. 1in. The thickness is 1 3/8 in. - where you indicated.
The racks ^and brackets^ are not yet here. The second coat of paint had been applied the day I received your letter and a white coat of course. The workmen had it all ready for bolts on the 24th. The glass is not in because they wished the locks put on first. Everything awaits racks, locks etc. Cases finished excepting that I wish particularly to know whether when the last coat is applied (as I shall have and then put on, tinted) the white wall is to be left as it is white not tinted. The further directions if there are with answer to this last question should be sent to Sec'y J. A. Clark as I
leave here on Thursday. ^July 3rd^ I will telegraph from Cleveland at what time I will reach Rochester. Then on my arrival, perhaps we may be able to arrange the time of arranging the cabinets to suit the convenience of both parties. I should greatly prefer being here as there is a matter of decoration which Bishop ^Payne^ desires me to see to in connection with your advice and design. I think too that he would be glad to have the delay longer (as it now is) so that he might possibly carry out his first proposition to you.
Your letter of the 25th to Bishop was forwarded here from Phila and missed him of course. I send it back to him to-day with a letter stating the proposed change in my plans.
I anticipate much pleasure in my visit to R--[ochester]. I neglected to say that the Bishop left here for the East the 28th be gone until Oct.
Yours respectfully
S. C. Bierce
There are 46 doors to the cases. not all in pairs. There being 6 then 10 3 on the left side of door 10 then 10 ^3^ on right side of door - 6. then 10 on left side of room. 10 doors then 10 more on right side to the door newly cut there and 10 on right beyond; three doors at ^extreme^ end of room.
Dear Sir
Yours rec'd. You will doubt-
less receive a letter from Bishop Payne at the
same time with this. I think he has put the
matter before you which if it meets with your acceptance will bring you here at about the
time mentioned in your letter. I would like
much to leave here the 14th July - better still the
11th if possible. Would you if you come at the time
mentioned in yours, be able to put up the cabinet
by the 11th. Please write as to this.
Bishop Payne says he prefers the locks
you mention and does not know the cost of them
here, so you will please order such locks for
the cases.
Excuse haste as the mail is ready to
leave. Yours truly
S. C. Bierce.
Dear Sir
Yours rec'd. The work has
been delayed by the various parties being at such
distance apart but we are busy now and the
workmen with have everything ready to arrange
the Cabinet the 26th of June. There was more
work to be done in the room proper than they
knew previously, I regret the delays which
prevent us now from having every thing in order on Commencement. I shall endeavor
to carry out your instructions to the workmen
and hope the cases will be in every way as
desired. We shall expect you by the 26th of
June then and if you come at that time I
shall remain until the work is in order. It
will be a pleasure to me most certainly. Send
the brackets as soon as possible and I will
urge them knew to all possible haste
How long will it require to arrange the
cabinets? Although busy I always take
time to see to anything pertaining to this
matter, and will gladly attend to anything
you may suggest. I send you a catalogue
programme etc. We should be pleased to
have you with us at Commencement if
you can do so.
Yours truly
S. C. Bierce
Dear Sir.
Yours of June 2nd
rec'd last week. and I beg
pardon for delay, but I've
been waiting expecting each
day to hear from Bishop Payne
concerning the cases. as he [found?]
we could raise money for
them & wrote me to delay your
movements at present. But as
matters seemed mixed we
telegraphed him an itemized
bill for cases before delaying
you, and as I expected, he
telegraphs "go ahead"- therefore
unless he has so written to you
your have not been delayed.
The carpenter desires measures
for shelves, which I hope to receive
to-day- but I fear you have
been awaiting my reply ere
you sent them. I hope not.
The cases cannot be ready by
the 10th. Sec'y Clark in [mailing?]
this will find the time as
nearly as possible. and state
it in this letter. The workman
will use all possible dispatch.
It may be that we cannot afford
sash just now until Bishop
comes at least. The probabilities
are that they can finish no
more [than?] cases without sash
before Commencement.
The name of the gentleman
in whose care you sent your
letter directed to New Bedford
should have been Mr. Wm [Laws?],
but I wrote to Bishop concerning
it & he doubtless received
it. Please state the time
where you will reach here. If
you can do so after learning
when cases can be ready. We
will urge matters to a completion
as rapidly as possible.
Yours respectf'ly
S. C. Bierce.
W.U.X.O May 23, '79
Dear Sir.
Yours from Phila rec'd.
I hasten to reply. I sent you
on Monday a slight outline
of room - with dimensions as
nearly correct as the inequality
of the room would allow.
I send to day the height of
the doors and windows to the top of
the sills or upper casing.
We shall endeavor to
have the cases ready. I would
say that if here is to be nothing
difficult to make about the cases.
The general directions with statements
as to distance apart of
shelving, etc. given quite minutely
can be easily followed out and
perfectly fitted to all inequalities
of walls. The deep windows
on the left side are oval.
We send measurements to top
of oval for the height there they
reach to the floor. The other
windows at the end of room have
a small space between lower sill
and floor.
I hardly know what to say
concerning the contents of the cabinets.
I feel that your experience
will supply us with what is
necessary for comprehension &
practical use in the departments.
The ideas of your
letter (printed in circular) carried
out. should seem to leave nothing
to be desired & within the scope
of means. I am just recover-
ing from illness but hope to enter
upon active duties next week. The
work shall go on the same. When
the cabinets reach here, do you prefer
leaving the unpacking until
you reach here or shall I look to it.
Only keep me fully directed
as to what to do and I will carry
out directions to the best of my
ability
Yours respectfully
S. C. Bierce
Dear Sir,
A card from the Bishop has directed
me to send you the measurement of the room
which I do, giving height length breadth with
exact space between the windows. The accompanying
outline may also serve to put the room
before your mind more fully. I judge by the
hastily written card that Bishop Payne has directed
you to proceed with the work. For which I am
heartily glad. I will see that whatever is necessary
is done here if you will but inform me.
Yours truly
S. C. Bierce
P.S. - The measurements sent are as exact as we can make them. No ^window & door^ casings being rep. [represented?] we have allowed for
them. The windows at the left are oriole windows in
^the roof &^ have no casings. The room is somewhat uneven
the carpenter says. If I have omitted any detail inform me
immediately.
S. C. B.
Dear Sir.
I hasten to acknowledge receipt
of your letter. I think it no indiscretion as I
doubt not that the next letter from Bishop
Payne will state the same to me, but I will
say nothing until he does so. Commencement
takes place June 19th and as you say if the
museum is to be in place by that time there is
no time to lose. I will send measurements
and attend to all necessary items here according
to your directions. I anxiously await the reply
hoping it will be to proceed to the work immediately.
I send circulars in another envelope.
Bishop P- has also separate circulars in his name
but I have none now.
Yours respectfully
S. C. Bierce.
Dear Sir.
I was pleased by the
receipt of your letter this A.M. to learn of your
safe arrive from your extended trip. I hasten
to reply in regard to the museum. Bishop
Payne left here a few weeks ago. He had then
some small sums subscribed but he anticipated
great results from work in the East. Hoping to
soon raise the required amount. I have not
heard from him since he left but write to-day.
I sincerely hope that his reply to your letter
may be so favorable that you may begin the
work at once. Your letter will be forwarded
to him. His Phila address is still 535 Lombard
St. I hope to pass thru R-[Rochester] either
in going East or on my return. I promise
myself great pleasure and profit by viewing
the Rooms there devoted to Science.
Yours truly
S. C. Bierce
Dear Sir.
My letter has been delayed
by waiting for the box to reach us. That
in turn was delayed by state of roads
so that it came but yesterday. The contents
have been arranged and I assure you
that even such a ^small^ collection is invaluable
to me. It already serves a twofold purpose -
aid to class work and impulse to the movement
so heartily entered into by our worthy
Bishop Payne. You have been told so many
times by those who have been served by you.
The value of such collections in their arrangement appearance etc. - that it would seem
superfluous for me to speak of it. I will
assure you though that as specimens of
what ^such^ a Museum would be they are perfect.
I can only reiterate my thanks ^for your kindness^ and express
my confidence in the result - a Museum
worthy of our Institution.
Bishop Payne is here at present. He
desires to know whether the letter sent you
by him has been rec'd. He has issued
your letter to him in circular form with
an appeal for aid in the undertaking.
We feel confident of success.
May you have a safe return
to R-[Rochester] where I hope to see you during
the summer in regard to this work.
Yours truly
(Mrs.) S. C. Bierce