Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1882-03-19)

                                           2

be likely to pay the Establishment. I am sorry such adverse reports were sent you about ^lack of profit on ^ my work and I was beginning to think it time for me to quit the business. The greatest satisfaction I have found in working for you is that you have always wanted </u the very best > work a man could do, without stinting him for time. I think I have during the last two years worked steadily while in the shop, and as fast as I could without slighting my work - a thing </u very > easy and simple to do - and I have striven to turn out the best pieces in my line. When it was made known that my work paid the poorest </s it > I was brought face to face with the question "Shall I </u slight > my work or quit the business entirely ? " I had made up my mind to take the latter course if either was forced upon me. Work which is done hurriedly and </u slighted > looks well enough mostly - until it gets away from the taxidermist. Then its faults begin to show fearfully.

    As I said before I will continue to do all I can

for the </u Bulletin > and will try to do some good.

    I would like to take your Tennents "Ceylon" to

Washington with me for use while I write on my book. I will scrupulously return all your other books which I have borrowed. </u Perhaps > I will have to come on here in July to pack and ship my household goods. Am waiting anxiously to hear that you have sold everything in Frisco. No more this time. Please address next to the Smithsonian. Yours, the same as heretofore World without end. Wm T. Hornaday