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ARNOLD ARBORETUM. they want, will never consent to be hampered in their operations. This I repeated over and over again
to the Secretary of the Interior, the President, and all the members of the Commission; none of them, however, except Abbot,
have been able to see the point of my argument. Well, all I can say is that if the forests have gone, I had a good trip with
you, and in making the acquaintance and securing the friendship of General Abbot have made a real addition to my life. I have
extended, too, my knowledge of fools, although I do not know if that was necessary. I have polished off Muggins and your
ponderous friend I hope to your satisfaction and now am beginning to think again about that Spruce business. I want to leave
here late in July, or about the 1st of August, and meet you on the line of the Canadian Pacific Railroad in British Columbia
to have another look at these trees and then go on to the coast and, if possible, make a short trip to Alaska with you, getting
back sometime before the 1st of October. I do not want to go to Alaska without you, or even to British Columbia, in fact I
do not want to look at any western trees anywhere unless I do so in your company, and I ought to take another look at them
before The Silva is finally completed. Now are you prepared to sacrifice yourself on the altar of friendship and take another
six weeks run with me? I am still pretty lame but with caution can get about in reasonable places. I hope you won't tell me
that you have made other plans. 02295