Transcription:
1 Vladivostock Aug. 19. 1903 Dear Louie After many short stops here there we are at last on the Pacific having crossed the
whole vast breadth of Asia now you don't seem so dreadfully far. We arrived yesterday morning very tired dirty, having slept
in our clothes the last 8 nights the heat has been trying 80 to 90 in the cars. miserable uneatable food at the stations most
of the. Here it is delightfully cool - but the food is very poor. I'm resting today while the Sargents are out botanizing.
I suppose we will be here a few days longer. Then Sargent wants to the A illegible for a day or two, thence back to 03292
2 Harbin, thence to Mukden thence to Peking which will require 8 or 10 days more of rail riding of most wearisome sort,
but wit views of wonderful regions their rocks scenery flora people etc by way of compensation. I had made up my mind to leave
the Sargents here go to Japan Shanghai, etc as I long for the cool sea But Sargent advises very strongly against my going
off alone raises all sorts of objections, difficulty of arranging money matters etc. promises not to stay but a day or two
in Pekin or hot dirty Mukden (suggestive name? )