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505

(198)

April 14/98.

My dear Mr. Gookin:

Your letter of 13th inst. is before me, and I hasten to extend my heartiest congratulations. It begins to look as if I would be left alone on the withering branch! Perhaps, if I continue my study of Japanese art, I may be as fortunate as yourself and Mansfield. What a delightful month you have chosen, and have a wedding trip to Japan must be! You have selected a good steamer too, and I imagine you will find the route via San Francisco pleasanter than the northern route. If it were later in the year however, I should prefer going via Vancouver.

I trust you will not find the hot weather in Japan uncomfortable. You will of course have to spend your time principally in the hills or mountains. No matter what happens don't fail to do just that in Kioto. The hotel on Maruyama is well ventilated and I found it possible to be quite comfortable there even in August. Should you be in Kioto during that month, don't fail to see the Daimonji festival which occurs I think on the 16th. If I can be of any service to you in any way, do not hesitate to command me. I [[find]] however that Morse with his recent and long experiences in Japan can get you reliable [[painters]] of every kind.

I am sorry that you have remembered that little incident of our last meeting. Surely nothing could have been more natural considering the [[?]] the [[?]] [[of people]] [[?]] and the [[?]] that [[occurred in the]] [[?]] [[letters]] [[?]]  I am not sure that [[?]] I find that [[nature]] calls me [[?]] and [[?]] time is [[as fully]] [[?]] then see you. It is more [[?]]

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-26 13:36:22 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-28 20:33:47 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-28 09:09:39 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-28 13:44:15