My dear Miss Lyon

I suppose ere this you have returned from your northern tour & hope you are much benefited both in body & spirit

You recollect I asked you if I might spend a little money in purchasing apparatus. I arranged matters to stop in Boston a little while, boarding at Mr. Bliss'. I went to Mr. Wightman's & looked over what he had. I should like much to buy a few articles of no very great value mostly on optics. I will Just enumerate the articles with their prices.

   Brewster's Kaleidescope $5.00
   Phantascope              2.50
   Tissue figure            1.25
   Tellurian                1.50
   Pistol house             6.00
   Spider                    .25
   Star                     1.75
   Image plates             2.00 or 3.00

Perhaps I might find a few more little things the whole of which might amount to nearly $20.00. There is a polariscope, which has a good deal of interest, but I should like to see Prof. Snell before I decide to ask for it. It costs $35.00. 1 saw microscopes & telescopes there, & think that we very much need a Solar microscope.  The one I saw was $120 & the telescopes from $75.00 to $300.  But we need the microscope first. Mr. Wightman gave me a book  describing all the animals exhibited on those slides you bought. And now I am in as much doubt as before what to do. It does not belong to the class in Nat. Phi. to go through a course of Nat. History. I have thought a little course of instruction on Nat. Hist.
to the junior class might be well in connexion with exhibiting the plates. I will undertake it if it should be thought best, but it must be short. Say two hours a week for one series perhaps the grammar series. I think there may be something of a call for it as Smellie has so much gone out of the school. I speak of it that you & Miss Whitman may bring the best of your wisdom to bear upon it. It is only a thought which may be worth nothing.

Will you tell Miss Whitman I bought a book for the school which will be of more service to her than to me. Davis manual of magnetism, containing a description of all the apparatus he has for sale & might be used as a text book. Some valuable experiments are detailed which are appropriate to Nat. Phi. I should like to purchase of him the following instruments to illustrate the magnetism of the earth.

   A magnetic needle on a brass stand   $1.00
   Dipping needle                        3.00 to $6.00
   Case of bar magnets                   2.50 to 5.00

Some little things such as a circular piece of iron - Star of iron bar of iron & wire for making experiments there would cost only a trifle. I can leave here early in the morning & without spending a night in Boston have them put up & take them with me. Will you write by return Of mail that the answer may reach me before I leave here. I shall stop in Monson on my way back. I thought you might be the more willing as I had spent nothing for French.

I called at the mission house to leave directions about the heralds & annual reports. Dr. Anderson remarked that a few days before a gentleman of great respectability & discernment expressed concern about their receiving so many at the seminary. He said he took the ground that the last year was only an accidental thing which would not be likely to occur again. The gentleman said if it were once admitted that the teachers approved of increasing the school so much, its popularity would decline at once, & he thought the friends of the institution ought to look to it. Dr. A. thought the remark was a Just one, that we could not do for so large a number what we otherwise could. At Dea. Saffords Mr. Gale asked after the size of the school. I told him the building could accommodate about 200. Deac. Safford says & you have 250 so adds Mr. Gale you can accommodate 200 & have 250. 1 thought these remarks properly belonged to you & I would transmit them. I expect the publick will be looking at the school very critically the coming year.

Will you tell Mr. Hawks I have the germ of a good plan in my mind for fastening the newspapers. Can he not engage a carpenter to make them after I come back say Sat. or Monday. I want them finished before the school commences. I am sorry to trouble you with so long a letter & did not intend it. Mrs. Coggin sends her love & she wishes you would come & see her. Mrs. Kittridge wishes the same.

              Affectionately yours