Harry’s physician reports this morning that he is doing well & that if he lies still today, it may not be necessary to lance. He may allow him to drive to the office tomorrow.

Harry told me that you had written him that you proposed to come here on the Inauguration Day. I shd say that this was the worst time that you could select. It is to be abominably managed and is a stupendous mistake; making a great foolish fuss, taxing all the brains of the staff and setting everything back. In itself I don’t think that it will be interesting and it will destroy all other matter of interest.

So it seems to me now—Perhaps it will finally settle to something better—At present it is disgusting.

Everybody is so driven that I get little chance for discussion as to matters in which I am specially concerned. Can, therefore, form no plan as to [571]length of stay or other movements. But I suppose I am to go to Kansas City— I shall make no plans to be here on the 21st but it may happen that I shall be. I think that we have no official place. If we have we shall surely be lost in the crowd. They have reduced the program more than half but it is still three times too large. Neither I nor Harry are having any concern in it, except to prevent as much as we can our work from being disastrously blocked or injured by it.

I write my impressions but it puts everybody in such a flurry to get the place ready, that perhaps I am more ignorant than you are.

We are intending to go to Milwaukee tonight—to return Sunday night. I finished my study of the island planting yesterday and shall have [572]written out instructions for Ulrich and prepared purchasing & collecting lists tonight. I have then the outer shores and other plant matters to take up. I think that by Wednesday or Thursday we shall be ready to start for Kansas City. Back here probably by the 17th. I doubt if I shall stay for the Grand Panjandrum but I may find other matters there pressing and have to stay a day or two. The artist heads are working very hard. Harry, Burnham, Millet were out at half past five yesterday having been working late the night before. Burnham is being beaten in regard to the dedicatory arrangements, which are not to be very judiciously considered.

I suppose that I shall be starting for Biltmore soon after my return. Please see that Manning’s work on the planting plan is well done and that he needs no instruction.

I am tolerably well. Neuralgia and noise prevent my sleeping steadily but I get four or five hours on an average and do not feel that I am losing ground tho’ certainly not gaining.

Affectionately