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STORY OF THE "RANDOM RECORDS"

When, in the later years of the 1920-30 period, I came to realize that I was approaching my official age limit, I began looking over my affairs with a view of rounding up as far as possible the ragged edges of my life work.

I talked with Dr. Walcott ^[[in 1926]] indicating my readiness to retire from the service, and thus open the way for the selection of a suitable successor, but he did not think it advisable to take action at that time.  I began, however, to prepare for the change.  There were numerous matters that seemed to require attention.  One thing especially insisted on intruding itself upon my attention - the great accumulation of unfinished work.  My files were burdened with no end of diaries, field notes, and unpublished papers covering a period of sixty years; with accumulations of loosely assembled data, in pen, pencil and water colors and photographs that could not be utilized save in a very limited way by those who might happen to follow me. A plan was finally adopted that promised in part at least to overcome the difficulty. The extremely varied accumulations were assembled in groups, largely chronological, to be bound at my own expenses, for deposit in the Library of the National Gallery of Art or the Institution, the volumes from 16 on to go to my sons if they wish.