Frederick Law Olmsted         SUBJECT FILE         Public and State Buildings               Walden, Mass, Library
                                                                                                                                                1884[*Received in Mexico. Choice of site S. B.  Malden Library*]
[*VI*]

Brookline, Mass.
29th Jan. 1884.
Dear Mr Baxter;
Ever since I received your
very kind letters last summer
I have been looking with Mr
Sargent for some one whom we
could, in accordance with your
suggestion recommend John
Haskell as a writer on park,
forestry & kindred matters.
We had lately hit upon one
Mr. Sargent invited Mr
Haskell to dinner that we
might the more pleasantly
make the suggestion but
Mr Haskell consideredthat there was a man on the
Herald's staff who answered
the purpose. There have
been some foolish articles
in the papers on parks, simply
showing great carelessness
& ignorance & a
singularly crude & puerile
sentiment. I think it was
really a calamity to Boston
that gave you to
Mexico. I hope it will
have proved adequately
good fortune for you. It
will certainly have given you
a very interesting experience
& much opportunity of gratifying
your quotes.I will send you the
Park Commissions' Report
issued today.  Our plan
for a Pleasure Bay at South
Boston is the only new matter
of interest.
I have been with Richardson,
the architect, to Malden,
at the request of Mr Converse,
and determined the site
of the proposed memorial
library.  It will be a very
fine monument - the largest
& finest of the rural libraries
of this country - will cost upwards
of $100,000.  I chose, of
the sites proposed, that next
the Baptist Church, which
has been adopted.

Very Truly Yours
Fredk. Law Olmsted.