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San Francisco, Oct. 10, 1854.
To Professor John Phœnix, Esq., San Diego Observatory.

Dear Sir:—Perceiving by perusal of your interesting article on Astronomy,
that you have an organ which it is presumed you would like to dispose
of, I am instructed by the vestry of the meeting-house on — street,
to enter into a negotiation with you for its purchase. Please state by return
of mail, whether or no the organ is for sale; if so, the price, and if
it is in good repair, and plays serious tunes.

Prof. Phœnix has the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of Mr. Stiggins' polite communication, and regrets to inform
him that the organ alluded to has been disposed of to a
member of the Turn-verein Association. Owing to some
“fatuity or crookedness of mind,” on the part of the manufacturer,
the organ never could be made to play but one

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tune, “The Low Backed Car,” which Prof. Phœnix considers
a most sad and plaintive melody, calculated to fill
the mind with serious and melancholy emotions. Prof. P.
takes occasion to inform Mr. S., that he has a bass trombone
in his possession, which, with a double convex lens fitted in
the mouth-piece, he has used in his observations on the stars.
This instrument will be for sale at the conclusion of this
course of lectures, and if adapted to Mr. Stiggins' purpose,
is very much at his service.