Relations with Downing 89 



named Truefitt, to act as his architectural assistant. He 

 soon advanced him to be his partner. Mr. Downing was 

 drowned about two years after he brought Mr. Vaux to this 

 country. Mr. Vaux no doubt took over the business of the 

 firm and completed the unfinished works. For that purpose 

 I think he continued to live in Newburgh for probably two 

 years or more, when he removed to New York City. . . . 



"Knowing how wide awake and keen for intellectual cul- 

 tivation and knowledge Mr. Calvert Vaux was, and having 

 listened to innumerable conversations of his, I can imagine 

 the profound influence upon the younger man of his intellec- 

 tual intercourse with his well read and thoughtful partner, 

 A. J. Downing. . . . 



"The other designer of Central Park, Frederick Law 

 Olmsted, it can well be imagined was somewhat influenced 

 by A. J. Downing, although for the most part indirectly 

 through the latter 's writings. I know he several times spoke 

 to me of A. J. Downing, but my recollection of what he said 

 is too vague to be of much help. I simply have the im- 

 pression that he had met and knew A. J. Downing both as a 

 social acquaintance and as a man, like himself, professionally 

 concerned in the education of the public in horticulture, 

 agriculture and rural taste.'* 



There is one letter preserved from Mr. Olmsted to Mr. 

 Downing, written after the former's return from abroad. 



SOUTHSIDE STATEN ISLAND, 



Nov. 23, 1850. 

 DEAR SIR: 



I wish to thank you for your kindness in sending me, 

 through Mr. Field last spring, a letter of introduction to Mr. 

 Thompson of London. I did not arrive in London in season 

 to attend the exhibition you wished me to, but I twice visited 

 the gardens and enjoyed valuable conversations with Mr. 

 Thompson, who was very obliging and communicative. I 

 took his advice as to what I should see in Paris, and I had 

 thought to offer you some account of what most interested 

 me there, but nearly all that was new and valuable of my ob- 

 servations there has already now appeared in the Horticulturist 

 in the article by Mr. S. from the Journal of the London Soc'y. 



