Transcription:
4 of ditches and slush-pools exceeds all I have ever seen - he disclaims however the remotest affinity for mud I hate mud
says he but somehow I get into it Charles likes mud but manages to keep out of it - when speaking of his favorite cascade
with its basin of crystal rock moonlight in the spray I ventured to ask him how he would like to exchange the clear water
of his cascade for an equal pouring volume of lobbering slobbering mud - he was quite indignant - did not like mud- couldn't
see why people thought so or teased? him so etc Since his visits to the Danville coal mines he is much interest -ed in the
geology of coal fields and asks many questions con- cerning their age, composition, and history of formation. I am sorry to
say that I cannot always furnish him with satisfactory answers For botany to be manifest as great or greater interest as could
be looked for he analyzes several plants everyday with me - remembers their names and learns the use of as many descrip- tive
words as can be expected among so many exciting sights sounds