I have received your letter of the 5th instant and reply with pleasure.

It is not quite a simple matter to give you the advice you wish, chiefly for the reason of the general popular misuse of the term “landscape gardening.” Very few of the men, even of those of unusual ability, who are known as landscape gardeners are entitled to be called so. “Decorative gardeners” would be a better designation for the best of them, and the educational training necessary to the making of a first class decorative gardener has very generally the effect of completely disqualifying those who receive it for comprehensive designing with landscape motives. It may be that a good decorative gardener and horticulturist would answer your purpose. If so, it is probable that a very clever man could, with some delay, be found. But few such gardeners are out of employment at this season, their engagements generally beginning and terminating in the Fall or Spring. I should think it might be desirable to advertise for one and have a competitive examination. I could give you the names of three men of recognized high standing, who might be asked to serve as examiners. The place would be a prize and I am sure that by this course you will be able to get a young man of eminent qualifications. I do not know of a young man of the sort you ask for who could be depended upon to serve you well as a landscape designer. The problem would be to bring the artificial conditions of the Post into convenient, harmonious and agreeable relations with the extraordinary natural scenery of the locality, and it would be hard to find an occasion to adequately meet which a greater degree of ability would come suitably into [157]play. There are not half a dozen men in all the country, nor as many more in all of Europe of assured competence for such a responsibility. And it is not probable that the youngest and least successful of those who are so would be willing to take the position at the salary fixed, with the condition that he should relinquish the general practice of his profession.

It would be much better, if the law and other circumstances allow, to take the course which has been usually adopted, both in private and public affairs of any considerable importance, always in Europe, and of late generally with us. This would lead you to call in counsel a landscape gardener, properly so called, and determine, with his assistance, upon a general landscape design; have this design embodied, so far as practicable, in suitable drawings; let the main, essentially constructive features be laid out and built under engineering supervision, and employ a resident gardening superintendent to further elaborate and carry out the design, and hold to it in maintenance, with the occasional counsel of the designer. Whether such a course could be pursued within the limits and restrictions imposed upon you, I cannot at present judge. I can only say that it does not seem impossible.

Simply as a citizen with pride in the institution, I should be glad to have you carefully consider this suggestion, and to assist you to do so as far as I can. I cannot immediately visit the Point, but I might some time during the Summer, or, if you are likely soon to be in New York or anywhere to the Eastward, and will offer me an appointment for the purpose, I will try to meet it. I should make no charge for doing so. It might follow that my firm would be employed, but you will understand that I should not be looking for this or that it would at all necessarily follow. It might be better that you should take a young man who could conveniently give more time at a small remuneration than we could. Mr. Charles Eliot, a son of President Eliot of Harvard, would be particularly qualified for the duty, and he is a gentleman with whom you would find any desirable association agreeable. Possibly you have met him. He has lately been making a tour of the old places upon the Hudson River, and I am under the impression that while doing so he visited the Point. If you should wish to employ him, I should gladly aid you to make a satisfactory arrangement for the purpose.