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Astor House Hotel Ltd.,
Tientsin, Oct. 15th 1910.

Dear Colonel Hecker-
[[strikethrough]] Dear Colonel Hecker [[/strikethrough]] The three weeks thus far spent at Peking have been one continued whirl of confused activity, and tonight for the first time since landing at this port, I am spending the evening alone.

I am here paying duties and arranging shipment of five cases of things secured -- a precious lot!

In buying and in being entertained, I am worn thin but remain happy. The visit of Secretary Dickinson and that of the Committee of Business men from the Pacific coast, caused Peking to outdo all records in entertainment and along and consecutively came the celebration of the opening of the new Chinese Senate -- Yes, they are to have an assembly of national representatives who call themselves, as a group, "the Senate", and whats more, the Imperial Government approves. The foreign Legations, excepting our own, are amazed at the cordiality shown the Pacific coast crowd. No other foreigner or foreigners in recent times, they tell me, have received such hospitality from the Chinese nation !! I have had to participate more or less in the festivities and besides this nearly every Legation in Peking has either given me a dinner or a luncheon -- of course I dont deserve such attentions, and as you know, I really dont care for them, but the things I unearthed in China last year and some of those recently secured have got known in Legation circles and they think me either a saint or a fool and I fancy they are trying to learn which.

The Calhoun's started the ball, the Einsteins gave it a swift kick and since then I have kept bounding.

In the meantime my work has filled all other hours excepting the few of sleep. Tomorrow P.M. I return by train to Peking, and on Tuesday next, Oct. 18th, I start on my little expedition to the ancient interior capitals, now called Kai Feng-fu, Honan,fu, and Sian,fu. The road to the latter city from Honan-fu is considered by all authorities the hardest in China and it is now badly flooded. My friend Marcel Bing, the Parisian expert, came over it recently and required 24 days for a journey which usually takes 12. In addition his expedition was held up by bandits and every cent of his money was taken. A mandarin near, lent him enough cash to get back to Honan-fu where he sold two of his horses to reach Peking. The Chinese Government will refund his lost money. His collection of art objects were not taken by the bandits. His experience clears the route for me as the Government has arrested the bandits and is now guarding the road. My visits at Kai Feng-fu and Honan-fu will give time for the floods to recede and the road to dry.

The Chinese Government has given me a passport and will provide a military guard. I am taking with me a cook, a photographer, a servant, and Nan my interpreter. Several natives and a half dozen foreigners have volunteered to accompany me, but I prefer being alone. There are great tings to see and study, and I can do such work better without company, and if the trip should be interrupted, I alone will be the grumbler.

I am anticipating my greatest experience in searching for artistic information and am quite ready to adjust myself to a lot of inconvenience.

Our little expedition will carry its own beds, cook stove, eats, drinks, etc. and I estimate that about two months will be spent in interior travel - i.e. - we hope to be back in Peking about Decem.15th or a little earlier if the flooded rivers do not interfere. Some mail may reach me but we do not expect any. Important telegrams however, the Manager of the Peking branch of the Hongkong, Shanghai Bank will attempt to forward to me, but as I shall be away from telegraph offices frequently while en route, telegrams too, will be difficult to deliver. My address will remain care of Hongkong, Shanghai Bank Peking for the present.