The main features of the Columbian Exposition are now determined and further definite elaboration of the plan will be effected probably in a few [233]

days. This does not mean that anything more than diagrammatic drawings of the plan can be supplied for a month or two to come, but it might be desirable to record pictorially the present condition of the ground to be occupied, in a better way than has yet been done, and to present in a clearer, fuller and more systematic manner than has yet been done, such details of organization and methods as have been fixed during the conferences of last week. Mr. Codman and I attended these conferences and were constantly in professional [234]consultation with regard to them, and the conclusions reached were all consistent with our advice. Mr. Codman will be in Chicago during the next fortnight in conference with the architects and the resident officers, and if you are disposed to go there with an artist, as you once suggested you might, he will be glad to aid you in all ways practicable in preparing an illustrated article for Harper’s Weekly, of a much more full, precise and accurate character than (before some time next week) will have been practicable.

Mr. Codman’s address will be “Wellington Hotel,” but his work shop, which is a sumptuous one and well provided with facilities of various kinds that would be useful to you, will be at the office of Burnham & Root, the architects, in “The Rookery.” (H. S. Codman)

Yours very truly.