I forwarded you yesterday an envelope with an Evening Post letter that I sent to the Prest of the C.P.C. I shall be quite anxious to know how it impresses you—(tell me particularly what you didn’t like in it at the first reading). It will of course give you the key to the line of policy that I am pursuing. I know that you instinctively look at matters a [359]little differently and want to defeat Green on the question of municipal management. But the art standpoint must be taken first, because it is the easiest to use as a lever, the other must come later. Unless there is a tangible, not a merely possible, success to point to when that side of the question is discussed, it would be useless to argue the point with the public. If I have stated matters with clearness, the public will gradually get to understand that we have employed the Commissioners to carry out our plan as long as they behaved themselves and that we now discharge them for misconduct. Before the facts had been allowed to assume the shape that warranted the writing of my letter the impression of course might be and very probably was the other way.

My anticipations however as to the effect of the letter may of course be overstated. As matters now stand I take the ground in not unamicable conversation with Green (for I mean him to work for us yet) that I am very reluctantly forced into this position. I have seen him since the publication. He had the M.SS. for a week first as the date shows and we had some interviews. I will not trouble you with details. I have seen no other commissioners. As I thought for once I could afford to give A.H.G. a little specific notoriety, I took care to mention him by name. Sometimes I smile a little at the humorous side of the affair, but it is on the whole too much of an irksome dead weight of a bore to get much from out of. Hunt’s drawings are splendidly got up—and very [striking], but go too far (fortunately).

Brooklyn improvement of entrance &c has passed the Legislature, main part of scheme postponed till next year but in good shape. I will send you a photograph soon. President nibbling, perhaps I may accept an appointment &c, but there is a nauseous sort of flavor about Park matters to me that it will be difficult to get over on this side of the grave. However never say die. I trust you are getting on pretty well, we may have some fun together yet. I wish you could have seen your destiny in our art. God meant you should. I really believe, at times, although he may have something different for you to do yet he cannot have anything nobler in store for you.