626
Conway MacMillian
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
Jan. 31st 1887
Dear Professor Bessey:–
Your kind letter was duly received and greatly appreciated. I had feared that you would scarcely find time amid the [press?] of work to answer my rambling epistles.
Work goes on quickly. I am conscious of much development and acquisition. The plan which I have adapted of working in all the main departments of the laboratory rather than specializing at will, has so far been very successful. I labor along in an independent way – reading [?] by and doing fifteen hours of laboratory work a week. My [scheme?]
627
[?] in Morphology, Biology, and Physiology are very instructive and I keep the fullest notes. When I leave the laboratory I shall [?] the character of [every?] [chart?] and piece of apparatus employed in it. Since I hope to make teaching my life-work this knowledge will be [?]able.
The outside lectures of Mr. Wallace were very interesting although largely embodied in his published works. He is a tall handsome old gentleman with snow white hair and beard, [troubling?] eyes behind octagon [?]-[horned?] spectacles, a genial smile, a rather soft and musical voice with which he clips all his "ings", an easy manner and a great reputation. He used in his lecture, on Geographical Distribution, colored maps: illustrating the different regions and [?]. He spoke with
628
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
manuscript before him. The portrait of the old gentleman was [secured?] and now hangs in Hopkins Hall with those of other [exhibits?].
I miss the friendly spirit of western professors and think that the German plan is not by any means so fruitful [&?] good, tho' it is much more imposing. No professor is [one dept.?] [?] [?] himself by [relieving?] a student's [?]. There is a tradition that Dr. Martin [?] [bound?] to an undergraduate who [?}ly fell dead from [?], but this is probably a legend. By going to Dr. Martin's house on Friday evening we can get an unlimited supply of beer, wine and [?] with various dubious tales judiciously intermingled. I have been compelled to draw the line at Dr. [?] club. I [?] Dr Brooks
629
when we [confuse?] ourselves to [fifes?] and milk and [Ms.?] Brooks joins in the conversation after the completion of our reading.
My hopes that there may be an opening for me in Lincoln have been greatly raised by the favorable condition of the new-building [?] and also of the [?] Bill. It would seem with so many places to fill that I ought to stand at least a chance.
I see that the Chancellor recommends an [?] for the Chair of Geology and you [offer?], in your [?], to the need of some provisions for Entomology. Could I get a tutorship in [?] [line?]. I should feel that my fortune was made. I know considerable about the insects of Nebraska already and now that I have had the acquaintanceship with Johns Hopkins methods, I believe I would do good work both as a teacher and an investigator. I shall be unable to [?] for any Drs.
630
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
degree next year and I feel a longing to get into a place where I can have [instruments?] and [?]. The next two or three years will largely decide what sort of a [?] I shall make of science.
If you and Prof. Hicks should favor my appointment to [some?] [and?] position in the University, I believe you would find me faithful to my charge. And [their?] opportunity for me to continue in my spare time, the botanical work would be a rare one.
I fear that the Chancellor might feel that I am rather an [injudicious?] character to encourage as an instructor of the young and no doubt I have given him occasion to respect me. However, I am older and wiser than I was and he may be sure that he would always have