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455

(411) 

Jan. 7/96.

Dear Mr. Keppel:

A considerable absence from home together with the rush of holiday matters has prevented earlier examination of the Thomas plates, and now having at last seen them during leisurely hours I have found them exquisitely beautiful, and of course am very loth to send them back. Therefore I think the only way to settle this matter with myself is to purchase them outright. Will you kindly send bill promptly so that the account can be paid and any further dispute with myself on this question settled.

The rush that prevented earlier attention to the plates had a like effect upon the package of charming tea received with your compliments. In fact, as you know, all fine things should be taken leisurely and when one is in the right mood. I find myself perhaps too often in the mood for tea but not with sufficient leisure to enjoy such as you sent. However, since the first of the year I have found time to do some experimenting and have discovered that a perfect blend can be produced by mixing two thirds of the best Ceylon tea with one sixth best Japanese tea and one sixth Orange Pekoe.. Try it some time yourself and let me know what you think of the mixture. I am expecting to arrive from Ceylon soon some very fine Ceylon tea now en route. When it comes, I shall send you some of my little stock. Now as to Japanese tea, I think you can get through Mr. T. Takayanagi, No. 160 Fifth Ave., a reliable Japanese brand, but of this I am not sure. I brought with me some from Japan, but my stock is now practically exhausted. Some lady friends of mine who were at my house an evening or two ago and to whom I served some of my new mixture were very delighted and said that never before in their lives had they tasted such a beverage. Is there any dealer in New York from whom I can purchase Orange Pekoe such as you kindly sent me?

I enjoyed your recent visit in Detroit very much, but it was too

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