I believe, he is sending in on this mail, is a damned thorough piece of work. Besides that, he is learning to make water colors in the fashion of Dr. Drowne and the first beginnings are good. His energy is remarkable and I think that the scientific world has won a brilliant initiate. I am quite serious about this. I don't know how long it will take for us to learn to skin the birds properly. We have skinned in the neighborhood apiece about a hundred and I hope by next steamer there will be definite signs of improvements. The thing we have the most difficulty with is, of course, the preparing and wrapping after skinning. To equal Beck or Drowne in this will be quite a difficult achievement. I am keeping both copies of my journal out here until next steamer or so unless I hear to the contrary. My intention is to forward it when it has been, along with its author, a little more mature in its venture. The mail forwarding arrangements through the American Consul at Sydney are completely satisfactory and I have already received three separate envelopes from you for which I thank you. In closing I can only express again my deep gratitude for all you and Dr. Sanford did for us before we left and reassure you that we are glad to be here, are enjoying every minute of it, and hope to justify all the trouble we have made.