« * \ 
I am sorry to say that there seems to be no chance of my selling any of 
my Washington holdings at present*1 talked with a good real estate man 
a day or two ago,and he, tells me that one piece I hold,though in good 
locality,is worth no more than in 1891 when I bogght it.In other words if 
I sell today I should do well to get back my principal and say nothing about 
interest and taxes.I confess I was amazed at that.So it looks as though I 
must continue to hold for a change which means, I fear, indefinitely.Thank 
goodness I have enough to oarry me along for the present.. 
In the bill as passed by the Senate thh Bilogical Survey is made a ful 
Bureau.This will maeri&lly increase Hart's salaryCto $$600) and be a benefit 
in every way .‘There is danger,however,of loseing the gain in the house. 
Tell Carrie I spent an evening at the labrary.I thought we had reason 
to be proud of our own Boston building, but there is hardly room for oomp-aris 
on.,I think I wholly approve of the marble and the frescoes, but I cannot say 
as much of many of the mural paintings .Some of them are simply atrocious. 
They are so much out of drawing, 3om.e of them,that they would be fair .ob¬ 
jects of criticism as ordinary postersjbut in the place they occupy they 
are simply absurd.Take for instance-but no we will do nothing of the kind, 
when you and Carrie come on we will go up and talk them over to their face. 
Tell Carrie that I am leaving no stone unturned to convince the 
President of the error of his ways,and to postpone the Inaugural.Should I 
fail let her look hopefully forward to my term when I will effect the ohnge 
or refuse to take the oath of offioevlf that is not devotion tell me what is 
Sincerely Yours 
