These materials (MC 61), arranged chronologically, provide a small but fascinating view of RPI and the Capital area, ca. 1850. The typed extracts of Allen's letters contain descriptions of RPI noted while Allen was a student and a faculty member, including education, the death of Pres. Greene's wife, and the RPI uniform. Also included are notes and observations regarding Troy and its environs, and descriptions of trips which Allen made to St. Johns and Montreal, Canada, and Irvington, NY. Allen's lectures on physical geography, which include lectures on geology, is Allen's only extant lecture notebook from his years as an RPI professor. His notes on various books include notes taken on texts dealing with mechanics, structures, resistance of materials, hydraulics, and suspension bridges. The only item not related to the Troy area is Allen's account book, which was probably generated while he attended the Bridgewater Normal School (Bridgewater, MA) before coming to RPI.