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HERBARIUM OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY,
CAMBRIDGE, MASS., 19th NOV., 1885.
To J. C. ARTHUR, C. R. BARNES, J. M. COULTER,
Committee,
And to the numerous Botanical Brotherhood represented by them:
As I am quite uable to convey to you in words, any adequate idea of the gratification I received on the morning of the 18th inst. from the wealth of congratulations and expressions of esteem and affection which welcomed my seventy-fifth birthday, I can do no more than to render to each and all, by this circular letter, my heartiest thanks. Among fellow-botanists — more pleasantly connected than in any other pursuit by mutual giving and receiving, — some recognition of a rather uncommon anniversary might naturally be expected. But this full flow
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of benediction from the whole length and breadth of the land whose flora is a common study and a common delight, was as unexpected as it is touching, and memorable. Equally so is the exquisite vase which accompanied the messages of congratulation, and is to commemorate them, and upon which not a few of the flowers associated with my name or with my special studies are so deftly wrought by art, that of them one may almost say, "The art itself is Nature."
The gift is gratefully received, and it will preserve the memory to those who come after us of a day made by you, dear brethren and sisters, a very happy one to
Yours affectionately,
Asa Gray
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This circ. was sent to contributors only
Gray
CAMBRIDGE, MASS., NOVEMBER 20, 1885
The self-appointed committee who undertook the collection of funds for a birthday token to DR. ASA GRAY, desire to report their action.
Circulars were sent to all botanists whose addresses we could obtain in the very limited time at our command. Doubtless many were omitted who would have been glad to contribute. All such omissions must be ascribed to the absolute necessity for haste.
By the 31st of October the number of replies received, and the amount contributed, seemed to indicate that about $300.00 would be in hand before the 18th of November. Accordingly Messrs. Bigelow, Kennard & Co. of Boston, were asked to prepare a design for a vase of solid silver, with appropriate floral decoration, whose cost should not exceed $300. The design was submitted on Nov. 3, and after consultation with as many as possible at Cambridge, was accepted with slight modifications. The vase with its pedestal was completed Tuesday night and presented without formality on Wednesday morning, the 18th inst. The cards which accompanied the subscriptions were placed on a silver tray and presented as the greetings of those who embodied their good will in the vase.
A full description of the vase, with illustrations of both sides, will be published in the December number of the BOTANICAL GAZETTE, a copy of which will be sent to you. The January number will contain a portrait and biographical sketch of DR. GRAY, together with some of the poems, congratulatory addresses, etc., which were sent on his birthday. Orders for this number (20c. per copy) should be sent early to John M. Coulter, Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Receipts and expenditures have been as follows: By 180 cash subscriptions . . . . . . $338.
To printing, postage and envelopes . . . . $6.95 To discount on Canadian money . . . . . .04 To car fare, six special trips . . . . . .60 To vase and card plate . . . . . . 325.00 To printing, postage and envelopes . . . . . 5.41 $338
J. C. ARTHUR, C. R. BARNES, J. M. COULTER.
Of course the money matters are only for the contributors -
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1885
Private
Minneapolis Apr. 23d, [?]
My dear Professor Bessey
Touching the series of questions you offered for my consideration I must say that some of them cannot be answered by me partly from lack of access to the necessary facts and partly from the situation of affairs at the University at the present time.
I will however try to answer the last two and leave the remaining ones until after I have called your attention to other facts which must be understood before answers will be intelligible.
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9 The annual income of the University is from two sources: its invested funds & a state appropriation. The increase from the invested funds is now [sic.] $20000 to $25000. The appropriation is now $35000 having been raised $12000 last winter.
So far as I know the legislature has [?] yet refused a dollar asked for by the regents!
10 A house can be rented for from $30 to $50 per month near the University, or at a distance according to your taste. Street cars & railway make easy access to [business?] part of town.
3
We have an special appropriation of $180000, for buildings & equipment. One building has been erected for about $40000. Another[,] the College of Mechanic Arts to cost estimated $30000 is to be built this Summer and a Science Hall to cost at least $75000 is to be begun & foundations laid before winter to be completed next season. This is to contain 1 Geol. Survey Depts of 2 Geol. [?] of 3 Zoology & of 4 Botany and this General Museum. This building is to be erected for the future as well as for the present & I believe it must cost exclusive of equipment at least $125000