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The Coburg Hotel,
Carlos Place,
Grosvenor Square.W.

June 26th, 1909.

My dear Colonel-

My visit ends here tomorrow morning when I go on to Paris for a day and thence by steps via Mons, Brussel [[strikethrough]] l [[/strikethrough]] s, Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp to Berlin. I am planning to go from Berlin about July 16th via Dresden and Milan stopping at each place one day, to Naples, and sailing from there 23rd for Alexandria where I should arrive July 26th. The next day go on to Cairo. Remain at Cairo until the 2nd August, then go to Port Said and sail on the N.D.L. "Derfflinger" on Aug.3rd reaching Shanghai Aug.29th. This is approximately the itinerary I hope to follow. Will determine definitely after reaching Berlin --- and advise you.

I have been deeply impressed with Tudor-Gothic architecture in England and am now considering it (confidentially) for the Washington building.

The huge new South Kensington Museum was opened by the King and Queen today --- I hope to better it from every point.

My purchases here have been extraordinary --- a list goes to Kennedy today, which I have requested him to show you. The outlay is shockingly heavy but the acquisitions are fine. I wired you today asking you to sell all of the 40 L.S. and M.S. Bonds. This is to provide funds to meet drafts and to pay bills enclosed to Kennedy, as per memorandum herein, which after reading kindly hand Kennedy.

I do not expect to purchase anything more of consequence until I reach Cairo. But negotiations are now in progress to sell to me the famous Nocturn "Valpariso" by Whistler, now in the McCullough Collection. They asked £6,000, fell to £4,500. I have offered £3,000. Should they accept my offer they must have the cash here on July 12th in the hands of Wallis and Son who are acting as Agent for both the McCullough Collection and me. I am not counting upon getting the picture, but it may come to me. If it does I will wire you and ask you to arrange for the money at the bank and to mail or wire funds in time for use