Mr Vanderbilt has a theory of organization of a road and gate system the advantages of which I find it very difficult to comprehend and to which therefore, it is difficult {to} adjust a system of roads and bridges and gates. I don’t think that which we have been studying fits it well and I am and shall be much puzzled with the complex problem thus presented. I have not taken up the Arboretum section yet at all. Hope to begin upon it when Manning arrives. Have been setting out the garden terrace, the hot house connections &c. and can see the plan pretty well established in all the chateau home grounds before I leave. Am also likely to get the structure I have always wanted on the S.W. corner of the library terrace provided for to my satisfaction: Hunt and V. coming slowly round to my views. Plantations, which have come to be rather extensive now, are satisfactory, though I should be able with more time to improve them in details, and I am sure that a great many more of the old trees ought to come out. I have had rediscussion of Biltmore village plans and am making some readjustments. I am likely to succeed in a plan to have the soil from village roads and building sites brought by rail for the greensward of the Esplanade. It looks as if we might clear the greater part of the Esplanade, so that finishing operations can be begun upon it next Fall. I have kept the choice of trees for it open. I give up my first choice of Magnolia Grandi. as too risky, and Mr V. seems to be settling toward my second, which is Liriodendron. Many matters which have been vague are coming near to require settlement and early satisfactory settlement seems feasible, except upon the road and gate and public use system as to which I shall have to take instructions from Mr. V. [789]

that I do not like. The public is more and more making a resort of the place and I more & more feel that it is the most permanently important public work and the most critical with reference to the future of our profession of all that we have. The most critical & the most difficult. There are elements of it in which Mr V. is out of sympathy with us and others in which he has a torpid interest compared with ours and the enterprise requires constant vigilance and study and never gets nearly enough. I do not see my way clear to get away as soon as I intended and would not have you consider the date for meeting me in Chicago as definitely fixed. I am so far from satisfaction with what Mr V. seems to require in the road and gate system that I shall have to give time to studying whether I cannot contrive improvements that he will accept. I think that it will probably be best that when I leave I get to Chicago as soon as I can, and go thence to Louisville & you had better calculate to go with me. There are two critical questions there that we may as well fight to an end at this time. The only matter that is requiring frequent visits near Boston it seems to me is the Parkway from Jamaica Park to Tremont Street, and that, if you go over it intimately with the engineers & foremen will be in shape to be left safely for two or three weeks before you come West.

I am glad I brought Bolton. There is a question not only of the sewering and draining of Biltmore village, {but of its} water-supply, as to which his [790]former work of the kind with reference to Ashville enables him to speak with confidence in regard to certain local resources and availabilities which over-rides McNamee’s & Gall’s vague speculations and commands respect. It is a difficult problem and I don’t see the solution yet, but no man could be better to help to it than Bolton.

I have a rather pressing letter from Pinchot Senior, urging an early visit to his place and it wld be well if we can in returning from Chicago to take that and a visit to Brooklyn and Columbia college on our way. If we need to return by Buffalo & Rochester, there is a cross-country (Lehigh Valley) Road by which we can get to Phila. If in coming out you can save our visiting Buffalo & Rochester in returning, then, we could come from Louisville by Pennsylvania Road direct to Harrisburgh & so to Pinchot’s.

I am feeling the elevation in increased heart action and aggravated roaring and deafness but so far have escaped sickness and blind-staggers, and hope not to be laid up as before.

Hunt is here; two of his assistants left last night. We are cooperating satisfactorily in regard to garden terrace &c. I have not seen Beadle or looked at the nursery &c. yet.

I have received John’s letter of 31st May, and enclose the receipt asked for.

Affectly.