I mean to leave for Kansas City Wednesday; spend the night in St Louis and reach K.C. Thursday night. Nothing better appears to be possible without night traveling. Harry will come through in 14 hours, Thursday night. Otherwise he would (to accompany me) lose two days at a time when two days would be invaluable here. There will be a similar arrangement for returning but I may come direct from St L. by Pittsbg to Boston—otherwise I should be back here on the 18th or 19th in wh. case I shd probably stay for the celebration on the 21st. But I have been so long from home, & it is so long since I have been, or any of us have been, at Biltmore (9 months!) that I hardly think it would be right. (I have written Miss Cheney (in effect) that I cannot come to S. Manchester before winter).

As the business advances the prospects of the celebration do not appear to me quite as gloomy and I think that I may have discouraged you too much. It seems to me that the proceedings in the building will be a bore & that it will be a very bad time to see the grounds—and the men—the men of the Exposition—the artists. As it is I only see Burnham, Harry, Millet & Graham. And with B. & G. I have not had ten minutes {consecutive conversation}.

I have talked over the matter of Buckingham and agree with the views Harry will have given you. It is plain that our work at Louisville & Milwaukee has needed more & other plans and more prompt supplies, and if we are to have Kansas City, a branch office here will I think pay, and Buckingham clear of the difficulties of the Brookline Office is an extremely valuable man. No one else we have ever had has had as useful ability for us. To lose Buckingham & Manning would cripple us seriously—I have not much hope that Harry’s proposition wd retain B. In any case I am inclined to think that we need soon a Western Office.

I am still tortured a good deal with neuralgia and toothache, and I am tired and have a growing dread of worry & anxiety. But by Tomorrow night I shall {have} done all pressing work specially belonging to me here.

Affecty