159

3

with rain and mould
in Dec. last, and sunlight
and heat in June,
added to attacks of insects
unknown up here — we
could see before we left
the collection, that our
sacrifices were going to be
very great.

We were carried away
at the time, with the
effort to make a creditable
showing for California &
the rest of the Pacific slope
and have the satisfaction
of being assured in several
ways that we succeeded, but
as we were not under salary,
did not eve[r?] [leave?]
our expenses paid — and
moreover have lost our
magnificent collection you