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paint my picture from this as they key for color & arrangement. I want to avoid realism and get splendid color with the feeling of morning among mountains and a sense of speed of a rushing railway train. My stretcher came today and this afternoon I went out and got my canvas. Booth stood for me in Richard III. I got on but indifferently but advanced it a little. Calvert and Downing dined with me Calvert is in a fearful state over this Park discussion. He is completely absorbed in it and all his eccentricities are exaggerated. I advised Downing to get him to go home for a few days. Went up to Eastman Johnsons and spent the evening. Mrs. Coddington called there with a Mrs. Caird a sister of Millars wife. They were coming here but they were very late and Bierstadt had captured them so they were too late to get here Eastman said the "Encyclopaedia" reception was a crush and they only staid a few minutes. I am glad I did not go. It is strange how easily I am elated or depressed. I am full of my picture now and am happy and impatient to get at it. There will be a reaction when I get it on the canvas particularly if I do not succeed. Wrote to Gertrude. Had a letter from her this morning. My father was better which greatly relieves me. Poor Mrs. Johannes Haslinck died on Tuesday I believe. A woman who did her duty.

[[clipping]] THE CENTRAL PARK PLAN.

MR VAUX'S SHARE IN IT EQUAL TO MR. OLMSTED'S
——LETTERS FROM MR. GODKIN AND MR. OWEN F. OLMSTED.

To the Editor of The Tribune.

SIR: I inclose for publication a note which Mr. Owen F. Olmsted——who, and not I, is Mr. F. L. Olmsted's "representative"——has sent to all the morning papers, in reply to Mr. Vaux's communication in your issue of the 19th. I need hardly say that the acknowledgement it contains would have been cheerfully made at any time during the past month, if Mr. Vaux had requested it. Truly yours,
E. L. GODKIN.
New-York, Feb. 20, 1878.

To the Editor of The Tribune.

SIR: In reply to the card published by Mr. VAUX in your issue of the 19th, I have to say that my father, Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted, sailed for Europe, as is well known, on the 8th of January, on a three months' leave of absence from the Department of Public Parks, with strict orders from his physician to withdraw his mind from all business concerns.

Therefore, in view of certain recent communications in the newspapers, I think it my duty to state in his behalf that no one has, or can have, the smallest authority for claiming for Mr. Olmsted either more or less than an equal share with Mr. C. Vaux in the designs of the Central and Brooklyn Parks. Respectfully,
OWEN F. OLMSTED.
New-York, Feb. 20, 1878. [[/clipping]]