Transcribe Ward, Henry A. Letter to Orton, James (1855-10-31)

are ordeals through which all have to pass, but in which they stand quite a chance to find an alleviation. In one respect however you would not perhaps have had the same privilege elsewhere as with me. And that is my library. As you are studying for the ministry you doubtless do not wish the encumberment or expense of many scientific books. With me it is different and I have in my library many works in English & in French. On Geology I have both Lyell's Works, De la Beche, Bakewell, Richardson, Phillips, Bendant, D'Omalius D' Halloy, & C. D'Orbiyuy. on Geology ^Science^ & Religion I have . Hitshcock, King, Age, Smith, Harris, Kirby, Paley (!). & e. On Paleontology I have 6 ^vols.^ works of A. D. Orbiz?, & 4 of Muntell. On zoology, Minerology & chemistry I have Milne Edwards, Dana Haring, Beardant Renault, Stockert, Siliman & c. with some general miscellaneous works as Araza's Asronomy, Humbildf's Cosmos, Chenn's Conchology, the Plurality or Worlds & c. I have also the Dict. of Nat.History by C. D'Orbging with colored plates & well bound. This is the most recent & complete thing of the kind extant cast at full price $105. This with ^Blurat on coat & Klee on the Debger) ? & Hoblyn</u> completes my scientific library. My excuse for so many books is I shall need them all more or less in following the lectures here, & concluded to insure the opinion of them while I had the funds.I am getting more & more into the plan of using my library as a huge dictionary. I have been taking private lessons in Geology of Prof. C. D'O? for the past two months & like him & the collection of rocks at the Jardin des Plantes exccedingly. The lectures commence at all the institutions in a week & on every possible science. A bill on the opposite wall announces "? cours sur la Splaanchronlogical Ecole de Medecine." just think of it Orton! Splanchnologic!1