I have just returned from Auvergne whither I informed you in my last of the 9th. We passed some time there near a considerable estate of a peculiar kind belonging to my friend—It consists entirely of mountain heights on which there is not a single house or a single tree, notwithstanding these heights extend for several leagues.
I have had a great deal of pleasure in climbing up the mountains of Auvergne—there is a something in the mountain air congenial to my constitution which I have always experienced, from the first time of my approaching them in Albemarle—It is an epoch which no circumstance of time or place will ever erase from my mind. Whilst on my late journey I recieved a letter from my brother on the address of which was expressed to your care—this letter was forwarded to me by Mr.
Mountflorence who informed me he received it from Holland. I wish to see the essay made in our climate. Otherwise it can be done only by clandestine means. The commissions which you mention in your last of the 17th. I shall never again mention to you my intention or the time of my embarking for America;—not only because it has so often failed, but because I observe that what I have heretofore said on that subject has been always regarded as non avenu.
It is true the event has thus far justified it, although it was not probable at the time. The present letter will be sent by Mr Dupont —I take the liberty of inclosing one for Mr Barnes, from whom I am surprized not to have heard conformably to his last of March.
Enclosure: Short to John Barnes, 17 Oct. Scientists at the time, debating whether a vacuum could exist in nature, wanted to understand the effects of the weight of air DSB description begins Charles C. Gillispie, ed. The fifth-century poet sidonius Apollinaris was from a French-Roman family. Born at Lyons, he held offices under the Roman empire and became bishop of Clermont. His writings included both verse and letters. Gregory Gregoire of Tours, also a bishop, lived in the sixth century.
