Prof. I.B. Cohen V

5 Stella Road
Belmont, MA 02178

2 January 1991

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue

New York, NY 10021

Dear Josh,

Many thanks for the letter with the enclosures. I shall try to
get you the quote from Lagrange which is similar to the one you
have in an attribution to Von Humboldt.

I enclose a xerox of a few pages from my edition of Benjamin
Franklin's Experiments, the first book I ever published (in
1942). In it, there is reprinted a letter which Franklin
published in the revised edition of his book on electricity in
1774. It is addressed to Dr. John Lining, a most interesting
figure in the development of American science. Here you will
have an authentic modern scientist saying something very much
like what you had in mind.

I have not yet had a chance to read your article with the
diagrams. I shall probably be writing to you about it in
relation to my own chapter shortly.

Incidentally, we have moved since we last corresponded. It was
only through the kindness of the new resident that I received
your letter.

In the move I have mislaid my reprints of the two other
publications of yours dealing with this ‘subject of "premature"
and "post-mature." I recall that one of them was a joint note
(you and Harriet) in Nature and the other was a longer article by
you alone. If it would be convenient for you to send me the
references I could look them up in the library.

I hope we may meet again soon and have a real opportunity to
discuss these matters further.

With every good wish.

Sincerely, OY

I. Bernard en
IBC/gt
enc.