I have just recvd, on returning to New York, your kind note of 21st ult°. The package of books was delayed for some time in the Custom House and on getting it I did not at once make my acknowledgts because I thought I should receive a letter from you with directions for the disposal of the volumes not inscribed to me. I surmised your intention, however, and after waiting a fortnight [394] sent one to Profr Sargent, the other (with the botanical work) to Dr Thurber. (Profr Sargent is now in the mountains of Carolina on a botanical tour with Dr Gray & others. I have just called on Dr Thurber but failed to find him).

Of course with my exceedingly limited knowledge of French I read your book with difficulty, imperfectly & slowly but I am going through with it in course as best I can, asking assistance when necessary and getting a written translation of many of the more important pages. Having been travelling much of the time I am as yet only at the ninth chapter.

Before I last left home I took the liberty to send the book to our largest publishers (the Harpers) telling them that it was by far the most complete and satisfactory book on the subject yet issued in any language and was likely to long remain the standard authority; that a translation of it would be of great value to our country and the demand for it would be permanent. I also said that with your consent I should be proud to appear as the editor of a translation if they thought such an endorsemnt desirable. They now return it saying that in the present depression of the book trade they are not willing to undertake so large a work. When I see Thurber I shall urge him to advise his publishers to undertake it and if they decline shall try others. A few years ago I should have had no difficulty in accomplishing my purpose but have little hope of success just now. I shall try, however, and you will please write if you object to my doing so and if you would be willing to allow me if successful to edit the translation, with an introduction and notes.

Of course I should not make this proposition and request if I did not most sincerely respect & admire your work nor if I did not think that it met a great public want & met it in a spirit with which I heartily sympathize. My interest centres in Chapters 5, 6 & 7 and I am greatly pleased to find how thoroughly I agree with you upon the main principles of criticism with respect to art in Gardening. I am particularly glad that you have taken ground so strongly against the common abuses of decorative gardening.

If you are likely to publish a new edition at any time (revising the letterpress at all) there are one or two errors as to American affairs which I could point out to you — unimportant to your purpose but worth correcting if occasion offers.

It may interest you to know that though what you regard as the Italian and English use of the word picturesque is not wholly obsolete here in America, it is much less common than that which you say is French. I have never from childhood used the word otherwise than as you do.

Downing (Landscape Gardening Chap II) objects to Price’s definition (it is rather Lauder’s than Price’s) and speaks of the picturesque as “an idea of beauty or power strongly and irregularly expressed.” This is not in itself a satisfactory statement but it shows how far he was from accepting the Italian or old English idea and if you read all that he says on the subject you will see that he means by picturesque much the same that you do. So would most Americans.

[395]

I should be glad to know more of your Mediterranean work. I am doing but little professionally, my most important active work being the Capitol Grounds at Washington. I am in the employmnt of the City of Boston and have made plans which are accepted for what they call the Back Bay Park. The Arnold Arboretum waits certain treaties in progress for a rectification of boundaries which I have recommended.

The subject which most interests me is a movement which I am actively urging for the purchase by the State of New York and the province of Ontario in Canada of territory adjoining Niagara Falls including Goat Isd with a view to the removal of the buildings upon it & the restoration of natural conditions. I enclose a statement privately circulated about it.

My son joins with me in hearty congratulations to you & also in begging to be kindly remembered to Mad. André.