To Susan H. Hardy

                                                            May 18, 1867

Since I departed from you I wanted to write a few lines to ask how you are, but I was just as busy as bees with my studies. . . . After the class got through the study of natural philosophy they took botany for the remainder of the term. I hesitated to take it because I thought I could not spend my time for flowers. My teacher was in favor of it and told me it was a very fine study, just as useful as natural philosophy; so I was obliged to take it, and borrowed his book, because it costs so much. I did not like to get it without consulting you. It is very hard to remember names of flowers, but I enjoy very much, being encouraged to it by that God would not forsake me, because He cares for the minutest flower. I would like to have a book of my own. If you please, send your word by M [ontgomery Sears?] and let me know if I may buy it or not. Also my teacher and Mr. Flint advised me to commence geometry. . . . The class in the Academy was too far advanced for me to enter it, so Mr. Flint offered to hear me recite half an hour each day. . . . I like to see the Japanese Commissionary [sic], but I think better for me to hide myself from them, because I am runaway boy and the law- breaker of the government. . . .