Letter from Daniel Muir to John Muir, ca 1865 Nov

[ca Nov 1865] BuffaloDear Brother John You see I am once more in the city of Buffalo and the prospects are that here I will remain now until I can build [illegible]ers etc. When I left home I fully expected to go to college in Oberlin Ohio but when I went there I found that the information I had received concerning it had not been true and of course you may judge that I was not a little disappointed but without crying over the loss of that which I never had had I started for Buffalo and am now at work in the same place as before. You no doubt think it strange that I did not write to your sooner but when I arrived here I found that Howard had not commenced to build [reapers?] for next year and of course had not use for me so I went whining round feeling very little like writing to any one and since I have gone to work I have had very little time. Sarah received a letter from you just the day before I left which she handed to me to read. indeed those seemed to be very interesting specimens you sent to the little body that George calls such as little crumb\u27 I have done very very little in botany this year although I hoped to have had a pretty good start by this time in fact I don\u27t and I cant and I never did and never will pretend to be able to go on with any study the way you have and can and I suppose will as long as you have within your nostrils the breath of life 569 00361I was in high hopes of going to college and I thought likely I would be able to study to some advantage but alass my hopes were founded on something that was not a reality I was told that there were work- shops connected with the institution where by a person working four hours a day he would pay for his board and tuition and that they had a large farm also but when I went there I found that they had no shops and never had and that they had sold the farm - but there are such colleges as I had possed Oberlin college was in Maine for Mr Bonnig was educated at such a place and there learned the carpenter trade and it is still in operation for a certainty. The love of money is the root of all evil John I am longing to hear from you let me know how your rake business goes and whether you are still inventing as fast as ever Give my love to all whom it may concern and write me a long letter as soon as you can make it convenient. I was sorry that I was not here in time to see Edward and his bride as they were going from here to St Vincent direct I remain your affectionate brother Danpip pip hurrah I have no debt I have $100 at home and plenty here with good health high prospects and plenty of clothes for for the coming winterIf you need any books let me know i