167

[?] Chester, Chester Co. Penna.
Feby 23rd 1881.

My Dear Prof. Bessey, I returned
from Europe two days ago, and
found your book on my table. It
is now too late to review it, for that has
already been well done. But I'll do
better, I'll tell my students they must
get it, and it my first Agricultural
Hall lecture. I shall make no excuse
for saying that it is the best book of
the kind in the English language.
You have produced a marvel of compact,
well ldigested, [neat?] botanical literature
and for which plan accept not only my
congratulations, but as a teacher also my
thanks.

Yours faithfully
J. T. [Rothbrook?]