Transcribe Ward, Henry A. Letter to Dewey, Chester (1856-03-31)

Paris March 31st. 1856 Respected sir,

   My last letter to you was

(I believe) dated De. 6th. Since that time I have been delighted by two letters which you in your kindness have written me. I am very sorry, Sir, that they should have gone so long time unanswered, but I hope that my present letter may succeed in giving the excuse.

   I have been greatly occupied the past

winter with my lectures, studies, & reading. I have continued my private lessons of Prof. D'Orbignez (at the Jardin des Plantes) to the present time, but close today. After a very thorough course upon the </u rocks > & their composition. I passed in review the different systems, series and divisions (I believe it is in English!) from the bottom to the top, adjoining to my copied description the characteristic fossils of each division & the igneous rocks which burst out during or immediately after, its formation. I am at present just finishing a rather element ary study of the principal genera of fossil Molluses. My study of Rocks