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Toyo Kisen Kaisha S. S. America Maru. Feb'y 23rd, 1911. Dear Colonel - At the last hour, China's greatest collectors of painting, Mr. P'ang decided to let me have a few specimens from his groups, and to pay for them I had to cable you, as I did on Sunday last, the request to able $5000. Our steamer the Am. Maru, left on Monday the 20th, and I came with her. The remittance had not reached the Hongkong Shanghai Bank up to the hour of our departure, nor had I expected that it would. Consequently, I arranged with the bank officials, who are most obliging, to receive $5000. and in my absence pay Mr. P'ang the balanc due him and then to remit the remainder to me at Kioto. The final purchase in China is my crowning acquisition of paintings and adds a matchless note to the group. My little trip to the interior - one of five days, to the old capital city Hangchow - also provided experiences that had been lacking during - earlier trips - Fire and Robbery ! Capt. Dallam and wife of the U.S.A in one house - boat and Baron von Wurmb a collector, and myself in another house-boat towed by a steam tug left Shanghai and went by river and canal to old Hangchow to study the ancient art and the famous lake - West Lake ! the place where so many early Chinese paintors worked in landscape -- the spot Seeshu painted in my screen. All went well until our last night at Hang chow, when before sinner the Dallam's boat on which they both were, caught fire from an overturned oil stove and was badly damaged. Our boat was lashed alongside of their - with the Baron and myself absebt, but escaped injury. After our return we begged the Dallam our friends, to exchange boats for the night in order that Mrs. Dallam might be more comfortable, but they would not hear of it and eventually retired with only paper doors in place of the wood ones which had burned - the hull being steel. During their sleep pirates entered their boat, still lashed to ours, and carried off their money, silver and clothes - leaving only enough for the letter to dress Mrs. Dallam -- the Captain being equipped from my trunk after the robbery had been discovered. Our selves and the crew of over twenty men and two p photographers on board, slept peacefully through the raid and one of us knew of the unexpected visit until the Dallams were ready to arise and dress. The pirates with my usual luck, left out boat and chattels untouched! A sacred stone dog taken by the Bron and the Dallams from ancient temple, and kept on board the Dallam house-boat, probably heralded the pirates in revenge for the inault shown him - at least the natives tols us so. How near to the truth this claims may approach I know not. But I am satisfied that the God of Luck protected me and mine. I refused to aid in disgracing the temple dog. Tonight I shall go ashore at Kobe and tomorrow go on to Kioto where I hope to remain quietly, excepting a short side trip to Fenollosa's grave and Nara, for a couple of weeks. I a ready for a rest after months of tramping and activity in China. I am entirely well, but feel tired, and watching the early opening of spring blossoms leisurely i Kioto, with an occasional day in the museums of Kioto and Nara will be an agreeable preparation for my return to America. After Kioto, I shall go to Tokio and Yokohama for a short visit with the Haras, Masudas and other friends - then home via San Francisco. At Shanghai before my departure, I was without my knowledge, made a member of the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society and of the American Association - two pleasant courtesies. The Imperial customs also passed my last shipment free of duty on its own generous notion. So, I shall retain very pleasant memories of the foreigners in China, as well as of the Chinese and their ancient civilization.
