Jan. 5th.—­My experience is that he who would rise, in science or knowledge, must toil incessantly; it is the price at which success sells her favors.  During the last four years, I have passed not less than ten thousand miles, and in all this time I have scarcely lain down one night without a feeling that the next day’s success must depend upon a fresh appeal to continued effort.  My pathway has certainly not lain over beds of gold, nor my pillow been composed of down.  And yet my success has served to raise the envy and malignity of some minds.  True, these have been small minds; while a just appreciation and approval have marked the course of the exalted and enlightened.  A friend writes from Washington, this day, assuring me that I am not forgotten in high quarters.  “The occupation,” he says, “of the Sault has been decided on, and I have but little doubt of your appointment to the agency.  Make your mind easy.  I am certain the government will not forget you, and I never can.  I shall not lose sight of your interest a moment.”

Thus, while an envious little clique here has, in my absence, clandestinely thrown most uncandid censure upon me and my labors, a vista of honor is presented to my hopes from a higher source.

While recovering from the prostrating effects of my Chicago fever, I had drawn up a memoir for the American Geological Society, which had made me a member, on the fossil tree observed in the stratification of the Des Plaines, of the Illinois, and took the occasion of being detained here in making my report, to print it, and circulate copies.  It appeared to be a good opportunity, while calling attention to the fact described, to connect it with the system of secondary rocks, as explained by geologists.  In this way, the occurrence of perhaps a not absolutely unique phenomenon is made a vehicle of conveying geological information, which is now sought with avidity in the country.  This step brought me many correspondents of note.

Mr. Madison (Ex-President United States) writes (Jan. 22):  “The present is a very inquisitive age, and its researches of late have been ardently directed to the primitive composition and structure of our globe, as far as it has been penetrated, and to the processes by which succeeding changes have been produced.  The discoveries already made are encouraging; but vast room is left for the further industry and sagacity of geologists.  This is sufficiently shown by the opposite theories which have been espoused; one of them regarding water, the other fire, as the great agent employed by nature in her work.

“It may well be expected that this hemisphere, which has been least explored, will yield its full proportion of materials towards a satisfactory system.  Your zealous efforts to share in the contributions do credit to your love of truth and devotion to the cause of science, and I wish they may be rewarded with the success they promise, and with all the personal gratifications to which they entitle you.”