Dr. B. 2.



the tops of the bases must not be put in position before the replica has been installed. The study of the plans will show you that there is a good deal of rough work to be done below these tops as well as above them, and they would be injured by being put in position before the skeleton. - all except the feet - has been placed where it is to remain. We first instal the vertebrae and the legs, minus the feet, then the tops are put in position, and we then adjust the feet to the bases. This is the order of proceeding and by following it the tops of polished wood receive no injury. You have ingenious mechanics in Berlin in great number and they will be able to solve the mechanical problems involved in this construction, I am sure, without any further suggestion save what is found in the plan. I must therefore insist that the internal supports for the steel upright rods and superstructure have been built to meet these requirements. Please do not let your carpenter attempt to bore the holes which are to receive the steel rods supporting the framework.  We will bore these holes ourselves, fixing the place where they are to fall exactly. This is a work which we would prefer ourselves to supervise and it ought not to be undertaken in advance.



Now there is a matter concerning which I wish to speak to you quite frankly. As you are aware, Mr. Carnegie has not only offered to make a present of one of these reproductions to Germany, but also to France, and we have completed the replica for the Museum in the Jardin des Plantes. As the time which I can devote to a European visit is necessarily somewhat restricted, it becomes necessary for me to arrange for the visit to Berlin and to Paris. I must therefore inow as soon as possible at what time I may expect to find things in readiness for me to proceed with the work of installation at Berlin and at Paris. I have written to Mons. Edmond Perrier, the Director, at the Jardins des Plantes, requesting him to let me know what time will suit his convenience. I wish also to know what time will suit your convenience, and when I know your wishes will have to arrange as best I can. Whether to undertake the work in Berlin first or in Paris first will have to be decided in the light of your convenience.



I had rather hoped to have Mr. Carnegie with us at the time of the dedication of the specimen, as was the case in London. He writes me saying, however, that he thinks I will have to omit the consideration of himself from my plans, though he would dearly love to visit Berlin, where he has many friends whom he particularly admires. It will take from three to four weeks of rapid work with assistance which I may obtain from you to instal the skeleton. My plan is now, as nearly as I have been able to mature plans, to leave this place about the middle of April. I will either go first to Berlin or first to Paris as the advices of yourself and Mr. Perrier will make it plain to me I ought to do. If I go first to Paris I cannot very well reach Berlin until about the end of May. In case it seems desirable I should go first to Berlin I can reach there the latter part of April. I must ask you to kindly let me know what time will suit your conveinence. I know that this is a delicate matter to suggest, but I hope that you will be just as frank with me as I am with you.



Trusting that I am not imposing too greatly upon your good nature in laying before you all these details the decision of which in large part I must leave to you, however, I am, with assurrances of the most profound esteem and respect,

Very sincerely yours,

Director, Carnegie Museum