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400

#33 Ferry Avenue, 
Detroit, Michigan, 
August 15th, 1904.

Dear Mr. Abbott:--
I regret having missed you in London; and am glad you saw and enjoyed the Peacock Room.  I am pleased to also confirm your solution of the little mystery concerning its ownership -- a harmless measure, which you will understand.  Still, for the present, I am keeping the real facts away from the public. 
Your kind offer to exhibit the room under the auspices of the Copley Society appeals to me very strongly.  I have written to Miss. Birnie-Philip, asking her views, and must defer a positive reply until I receive her answer.  I can say that she is more than pleased with the triumphant success of your memorial of last winter, and I think she would enjoy having the room shown in Boston under Copley influences, the same as she did in London under those of Obach & Company.  Hence, please understand my hesitation is not caused by anticipated opposition from Miss. Birnie-Philip, but it is the result of the great fear I have of serious damage likely to follow a second erection and dismantling prior to its being finally erected elsewhere.  However, I shall take pleasure in considering your gracious project, and give final answer as early as possible.