Your letter informing the Visitors that you could not join them at their late meeting, was recd. by all of them with the particular feelings of regret excited by the cause of the disappointment. I hope the indisposition was transient, and that your health is now in a satisfactory State.

You will have understood that Mr. Key persisted in his resignation, & that Mr. Bonnycastle has taken his place, with a provisional charge of that left by him. A Professor of Natl. Philosophy, is of course what is now wanted to compleat the existing Establishment, and it seems not very easy to find one that will in every feature of character, come up to our wishes. The letter written to Mr. Gallatin on the subject whilst the final decision of Mr. Key was waited for, and it was foreseen, that that might lead to a vacancy in the Chair of Nat: Philos: by the transfer which has actually taken place, had not been answered, when the Board adjourned. I now learn from him that altho’ his enquiries and endeavors, have been active & uncessant, and would be continued, they had been unavailing, and he saw no prospect of our being supplied from that quarter, with a suitable professor, for either Chair, particularly the Mathematical. Since the Adjournment of the Board, no new applications or recommendations have been received from any quarter.

You have several times promised us an autumnal visit, bringing Mrs. B. with you. I need not repeat what you both know, the cordiality with which it would be welcomed. The influence of a change from your air & water to ours, gives an interest to your health, in the fulfilment of your promise. Accept, and offer to Mrs. B. our best respects & all, our good wishes.