ROBINSON, Curator CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A. 



19 Nov. 1909. 



Bear Dr. Kennedy: 



This afternoon we have had at the Gray HerbariutE some very good 

 news and I feel sure you v/ill rejoice vdth us in it. Mr, Kidder came out 

 to see the ne?* wing and after looking it over told me that he should like 

 to pay for that part of our proposed building and have it called the Kidder 

 Wing. He asked how we were situated in regard to the matter and I explained 

 that we had received one thousand dollars from an anonymous donor on the 

 understanding that it was to be applied on this much needed addition. He 

 seeiDed a trifle disappointed at this and said he had hoped to pay the v/hole 

 cost of the wing, exclusive of the furnishings. The structure will cost 

 about eleven thousand dollars, and except for your very kind gift of one 

 thousand I had anticipated that we should have to cover the cost froir: such 

 yearly savings as we could effect froiri our income. You can readily insagine 

 how greatly ilr. Kidder's offer relieves the situation. Although I felt 

 that some extension of our quarters had becoiTie absolutely necessary I con- 

 fess I was a good deal chagrined at the idea of having the Herbarium run 

 into debt even for a few years. This was especially awkward jHst at a time 

 when we lEust expect some unusual expenses in connection with the furnishing 

 of the new wing, the removal of the Gray dwelling, the grading of its site, 

 refinishing our wall on that side, etc. Thanks to Mr. Kidder's generosity 

 we can be relieved of the expense of the new wing and devote our savings to 

 these other matters. 



