Lady Drogheda who died of a Fever about 6 weeks ago—I can tell you no news—we are intoxicated with Balloons[11] and nothing else at Present talked of. I Grumble like an old woman at a Project that seems to promise no advantage but a waste of time and money. My secretary—your young Friend will be very angry with me that I did not postpone this letter till she comes to Town which will not be till the end of Jan^{ry}. At present she is engaged attending her poor Mamma who has been in a bad state of Health for some months past with nervous complaints—but I hope is some what better. The Dutchess Dowager of Portland desires me to make Her best compliments to you—she is much obligd to you for the fossils you intend sending her. I dont doubt but she will find some among them worthy of a place in her Cabinet. Her Grace’s eager Pursuit at present is Land and River Shells—to compleat her Collection. Those that are most common in your Country may be rair and acceptable to her provided they come with their natural surtouts and inhabitants—upon recollection I believe I am mistaken in saying you are acquainted with Miss Hamilton—she tells me she never had the pleasure of meeting you at my House—I hope that time may come tho’ a presumptions Expectation from Dear Sir your very old but sincere Friend and Humble Servant M. DELANY. P S—Pray write me a long letter soon delays are dangerous THE PANAMA CANAL TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO LETTER OF THE LATE SENATOR DOOLITTLE OF WISCONSIN [_Contributed by Duane Mowry, Esq., Milwaukee._] [The Senator’s views on his subject are interesting and pertinent in view of recent events on the Isthmus—ED.] CHICAGO, _March 26, 1880_. M. FERDINAND DE LESSEPS. _Dear Sir_: I have just returned to my office from the house of Mr. Washburn, where I had the honor to meet Madame de Lesseps,—an honor and pleasure wholly unexpected to me. I went to see Mr. Washburn for the purpose of conferring with him in relation to yourself and the great International Canal through the Isthmus of Panama. Mr. Washburn was absent. But Mrs. Washburn very kindly invited me to stay and lunch with them. As we had been in Congress twelve years together, he in the House, and I in the Senate from Wisconsin, and as our families were so well acquainted at Washington, I could not decline her invitation, especially as it would give me such an opportunity to make the acquaintance of your excellent wife. But what I wanted to say to Mr. Washburn and have him join me in saying to you, is thus: I am not satisfied with the Message of President Hayes upon the subject of the Isthmus routes.