Transcribe Ward, Henry A. Letter to Brooks, Lewis (1877-02-06)

content than in my present disappointment I really am. For the Botanical Cabinet for Washington & Lee University for which they advanced me $1000. and were to pay me $500. more. - I have done little . That failed me with India, and I shall very probably give it up altogether and return them the money. I knew when I took this ^botanical^ cabinet that I should make no money at it - the funds were too small to do anything well. Still even the little would have been of much account to them in rounding out the circle of their Natural Science teaching. I have had two letters from Col. Venable since I wrote you last. He writes enthusiastically about the prospects of the University of Virginia. Mr Corcoran has given them $50,000. </s Col. Venable writes to ask me to look out for a first class Professor of Nat. Science for them to be - he hopes - engaged at a ? day. > Col Scott of Pennsylvania has given Washington & Lee Univ. $10,000. So a bright day seems coming on for both of these really worthy Institutions . I think, Mr. Brooks, that you may justly be </s content satisfied > pleased with having set this ball a 'rolling. Without your innitiating gift to these Universities they would surely never have received these subsequent ones. I hope that the winter weather has served you kindly and that I may in the spring find you well and comfortable. At present we are only 6000 miles apart. Very respectfully yours, Henry A. Ward. [ybg]