Friday afternoon
My dear Henry,
I have had two interviews with
Col. John of also about an hour each respecting
the case — We cannot make all the materials
&c exactly meet our views — He can obtain
but 2 widths of glass one 11 the other 12 inches
Doors made of this glass will be too heavy to be
more than two panes wide each door — so that of
12 inches will make the case but 4 feet 2 inches
wide, including, the narrow casing, which is not
quite as wide as is desirable – the length of the
12 inch panes is 18 inches – four panes in height would
consequently make it about 7 feet high which would
be disproportioned – Mr Richardson proposes to cut
off the glass, so as to reduce it to 6 feet — He
thinks the case should consist of only the two doors
which shall extend from top to bottom as a base

with separate doors would require more wood work
It would be more accessible with two upper and 2 lower doors
but nearly one foot of space would thereby be lost – The
glass of 11 inches ^width^ can be obtained 15, 16, 17, inches in
length – but this would be still narrower than the 12
and still ^yet^ too wide to admit more than 2 panes to each
door in width – so that nothing would be gained by using
that — Would you not prefer smaller glass than either
of these — he thinks not and moreover says he cannot
get it – our bookcase is composed of glass 9 by 13
even this would make heavy doors with 3 panes
I have directed the shelves to be made to slope down
so as to expose the specimens to be at least 6 inches
deep with a cleat across that 2 rows of specimens
may be placed upon each shelf – I think it prettier and
will save much room – do you approve? — shall
the upper tier of glass be cut in gothic points like the
book case – I think it pretty, but of little consequence?
The case is to be made of cherry with very little
wood on the doors — If you can comprehend my

very bungling description let me know soon whether it
is best to make use of the 12 inch glass – and whether
you would prefer any alteration on the proposed construction –
I feared you were ill – am glad to hear you
are better – Mr Collier has been here gathering
golden opinions — he called this morning and left
Mrs Colliers card with his own – had I known they
were in town earlier I should have called but
Pa who saw him yesterday did not think to
mention it probably did not know Mrs C
was with him – Clara has concluded to remain
until next week — Your own Frances –

William H. Seward
Albany
AUBURN
JUN
10
N.Y.
hMrs Seward
June 10, 1842