Transcribe Lucas, Frederic A. (Frederic Augustus). Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1883-04-10)

                                     Washington  April 10/83
                                                                "    15

Dear Prof. Ward

  I was tempted to-day to wish I had

remained a year longer in R, but from the manner in which earth;y affairs are correlated if I had done so, that which has come to pass would not have done so. To-day Dr. Garrow asked if my situation at the U.S.N.M. was permanent, saying that there would be a vacancy in the Army Medical Museum and that Dr. Shufeldt had spoken of me. Now the "preparatorship" of the Army Med. Mus is worth so less than $1,800. a year or just 50% more than my present salary and is consequently worth trying for. The curators, Ridgway & True, of the U.S.N.M. get only $1,800. But - I know Dr. Garrow would not take me from the U.S.N.M. contrary to Prof. Baird's wishes and I feel a certain sense of honor myself from the fact that I have been the cause of some outlay and planning. Now if I can fill my place -minus my general intelligence (?) - they might feel willing to let me go, the more that self-preservation is Nature's first law. Of course I could fill my place or send someone to the Army Med. Mus. but here but No. E. comes in. Even my ungrateful soul feels bound to you and I can not call Gueret or Joe or Bailly from you. Now if the place would wait a few months I think DeKempeneer would be only too glad to find a $1,200. place and I would take the $1,800. which Dr. Garrow tells me is