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The Coburg Hotel,
Carlos Place,
Grosvenor Square, W.
June 5th, 190[[strikethrough]]4[[/strikethrough]]5.

My dear Colonel,

I was glad to receive your good letter of May 15th, with its interesting news.

The haste with which the President is pressing you into harness is characteristic of him and while surprising to you in a way, is, I fancy, not disagreeable after all.

The great work must go on, and I know full well your readiness to do your full share. But, I hope you will remember your health and prevent overdoing.

With me all goes well. By degrees, as my acquaintance here and in Paris grows, I find new and increasing interest on this side. There is so much to be seen and learned and my acquaintances are so obliging.

In Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paris and here, nothing but courtesy and kind attentions have come my way.

Luncheons at the United University Club in this city have brought me in contact with art and literary leaders as well as statesmen and business people.

I have been much with the ladies of Mr. Whistler's family and trust that to some slight degree, I have been of use to them in the multiplicity of rather vexing duties that have fallen to their lot. They are a fine group of women, and the world at large little knows of the extent to which they aided Mr. Whistler in the execution of his aims and ambitions.

My week in Paris was very enjoyable; along with other charming experience was a dinner given by "The Friends of the Art of the Extreme Orient". The society includes Vever, Manzie, Bing, Koechlin, Migeon and all of the collectors of Oriental art residing in France. They were the original appreciators of Europe in the field mentioned. They gave the first impulse to the movement in Europe. They made possible the Oriental Department in the Louvre. Migeon of their number is today the chief of the Department of "objects