I cannot say that I should be satisfied with the Mitchell Vance designs for lamp-posts and vases. They strike me as very inferior. It would be better to have no vases, much as I think them needed, than such as these. Nor do I like the lamp-posts. As to the lamps I do not now see why they should not be identical with those designed by Wisedell, though possibly, with a new design for standards slight modifications might be desirable. If you will send us one of the Wisedell lamps that you like I will have it worked after. And if you can tell me in what way the Mitchell design of standard is less costly than the Walker design I will try to have a new design prepared more refined and not more costly than the Mitchell, for the standards.

Are you not likely soon to be in Boston? I would like to confer with you about the fountain &c. On reflection it appeared to me that in bronze the fountain would soon appear a too disjointed, big black spot. Therefore, I have been

[671] figuring for it in marble and getting estimates. Returns are not yet complete. If you are coming here please let me know when, as soon as you can that I may not be away. I expect to go Monday next to Pittsfield for a day and to leave on the 22d for Asheville, and Montgomery Alabama.

Yours Very Truly