March 14, SUNDAY. Joy is in a sort of squabble with the chemical committee of the board. Some criticism has been made on the catalogue of chemical materials he proposed to order, and he is affronted. Among the items was so many grammes of anaconda’s feces from Paris, for the manufacture of uric acid at quite a “high figure.” Why not apply to the anaconda at Barnums’? Why should not the College keep its own anaconda and produce its own stercoration? Let domestic industry be encouraged. Is it certain that we could not get along with Gouvrerneur Ogden as a substitute?
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
Who knew that snake droppings were such a big thing in the 1850s? I’m suspicious of Professor Joy’s ordering snake droppings from Paris ... could this be a cover for some packages of lingerie or those French picture cards one hears about?
March 15. The great Hurlbut, who has for some months been missing, has reappeared and is going to Europe, “probably never to return” So mote it be.
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
We first heard of the variously spelled Hurlbut back in December 1856. Here, again, is his Wikipedia page.