Frederick Law Olmsted
SUBJECT FILE
World's Columbian Exposition
1892
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Page 492.                         21st January, 1892.

Dear Mr. Nixon:

Time presses cruelly. Am I mistaken in
supposing that you once said that seventy boats could be
built in six months? Now you seem to say that thirty or
forty might be built in seven months.

With deference, I don't believe in asking advice
from Tom, Dick and Harry about boats. Next, if I am
wrong in this, I wouldn't send any such circular as you
have drafted until your study boat is ready to be referred
to. Then, I would invite criticism and suggestions
from none but selected men of some known wisdom
as to nice, lady-like, open, pleasure small boats.
Some things we may think ourselves competent to settle
upon as primary conditions. Let us settle upon such and
then ask for suggestions and advice only as to particulars
that need further discussion. Let us defend our
time as long as we judiciously can from the great army of
Cranks and Philistines.

The above applies only to boats. As to machinery,
have you made no progress? Has your sense of what is
best been growing? Do you know no better whether any
electric apparatus is available? Can you rent any that
you are fairly satisfied with? It seems to me that the
question of power should be settled before you call
for bids; should be settled, if possible, before your
study-boat is ready. If you need expert assistance; if you
don't like to leave your study-boat for the purpose of
further study of the question of power, ask Mr. Burnham
to have an electric sharp appointed, who can be trusted
to reach sound conclusions as soon as possible. Is there
no one who keeps posted on all electric matters, and who
in a strong sensible man upon whom you could put
responsibility in this particular? Would Mr. Edison serve the
purpose? My tendency to think electricity the best for
us increases. If a satisfactory electric apparatus 
should not be found surely ready for us, and 
contracts for it be available, then I am most inclined to 
naptha launches. There is no doubt as to their being
contractable in good shape, in short order; and I guess
with ample bonded guarantee of safety. I continue to 
hear strong testimony from uninterested parties in their 
favor, I have no doubt that for rough waters and 
common servants, and for family use, they have proved more
satisfactory by far that anything else yet well-tried.
And I am extremely reluctant to advise anything for the
Exposition that has not been well-tried. We have no 
right to take this occasion to make trial trips on a large

 
Mr. Nixon     -2-          21st January. 1892

scale with forty boats. It we fail there will be nothing 
to fall back upon.

I don't think I do wish to dispense with the coaming, 
but I am not quite sure. In my last note to you I 
indicated where my doubt lies. I think that I would
rather see three inches of coaming than one additional 
inch of freeboard. I am inclined to do all that can be 
well done to distinguish the boat as a boat from a small
ship, or a miniature large steam-boat, tug or lighter; 
to display it as a boat, an open boat, in distinction 
from a sail-boat or lighter.

I am not inclined to use the suggested brass rail
over the gunwale. It would have hardly any use and people
might trip on it. But there might be a strip of hard
wood emphasizing the top of the gunwale and the edge of
the decklet, as at "a", or it might be in the form "b",
perhaps, and serve slightly for the protection of the
angle.

I think favorably of bronze paint below the water
line. (But query: what will be the difference between
water-line of a boat slightly loaded and one carrying
the full complement of passengers? Thirty men will weigh
from four to six thousand pounds.)

I should think it it best in your study-boat to 
provide displacement for electricity, but would leave you to
judge freely.

I see nothing to object to in your propositions as
to materials and construction, but may offer suggestions
later as to details to which you specially ask attention.
I don't think well of dividing seats; the range of
size between people to be carried is too great. When 
you are going to be crowded for room, you ought not to 
give a child the same seat-room as a man of two hundred
pounds.

As to the question of seat arrangement, I find that 
I gravitate more and more to the common form; your form
N. It may be because of greater familiarity with such an 
arrangement than with any other suggested. But it has
some plain advantages. It is the omnibus arrangement 
with which people are familiar, It will be pleasanter for
a party - say a family party, father, mother, Mary and 
her beau, Aunt Hannah and several children - to group 
conversationally, it two lines facing one another,
vis-a-vis. But back of all, I suppose, is the notion that
it is more boat-like. Do you not overestimate the danger
of heeling over? I should suppose that such a boat as youMr. Nixon.  - 3-  21st January, 1892.

are contemplating, with the ballast of the batteries, 
would be far from cranky; would even bear to have all 
her passengers on one side without danger of capsizing. 
I have now to go in to a meeting of our Park Board;
will write further as to details, I hope, by next mail.
 I think what I have said covers everything upon which 
you are pressed for time.
Yours truly, 
Fredk Law Olmsted.

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Page 532. 25th January, 1892.
Dear Mr. Nixon: 
I have just received your communication of 
the 21st instant. I am not sure whether, when it was 
written, you had received the second volume of my last 
paper addressed to you.
First, as to the question of motive power: I am 
inclined to think that it is now our duty to exclude 
from consideration any form of motive apparatus that has 
not, by this time, passed the experimental stage and had 
successful, practical working trial, to the extent at
least that we should have a thorough understanding of its 
defects and know how to make the best of it. Starting 
from this conclusion, we have but three alternatives: 
first, steam; second, naptha; third, electricity, as it 
has been successfully applied in the regular commercial 
way for several years past in England. Apparently, you 
and I agree that the last, if available for us, is the 
most expedient. Starting again from this point, plainly 
no time should be lost in determining, with the aid of 
legal counsel, the question whether the difficulties 
growing out of conflicting patent claims can be overcome. 
I should suppose that a capable lawyer versed in 
patent business would be able to determine, within a 
month, whether either of the English systems, for I believe 
there are two, can be used here. At the same time,
I should hope that two other questions might be decided: 
first, whether (if we cannot use either of the English
 systems) it can be reasonably concluded from the results 
of the working operation of any American system, as applied 
to street railroads, that that system will surely 
answer our purpose in respect to the propulsion of boats; 
second, whether, within a month, absolute security can 
be had through compromises between patent-holders or 
otherwise, that that system will be available for us. I 
shall write this to Mr. Burnham and shall advise that he 
take measures accordingly, and that if, at the end of a 
month, there is not at least a fair prospect of a satisfactory 
conclusion being speedily reached upon this 
line of investigation, we should abandon electricity 
and proceed to a discussion aiming at an early decision 
between some steam apparatus which is in actual use and
 the naptha apparatus.

With regard to the awning question, I have been 
making some studies with results that do not differ essentially 
from yours. A very early positive decision of 
this question is not required. Tentatively, I accept 
your proposition.
As to the question of free-board, wash-board and 
coaming, we are not in disagreement. I think I shall ap-Mr. Nixon.  -2-  25th January, 1892.

prove of what you have in mind, when it is more definitely 
presented. If, as you are working out the scheme, 
you should see any danger of the boats being capsized by 
the whole body of passengers rushing in an instant to 
one side in a panic, I should not be unwilling to have 
a line stretched from end to end of the cockpit when the 
boat is under way, and slackened so that it will fall to 
the floor at landings.

As to the question of the counter and stern sheets, 
I do not disagree with you.

I have sent the schedules B & C to Mr. Burnham, but 
I advise against their issue or any advertising or miscellaneous 
consultation until we have had opportunity to 
reconsider our entire scheme after an examination of 
your study-boat and a conclusion with regard to motive 
power. We have received two telegrams within forty-eight 
hours, asking for appointments to present projects. I 
have a habit of feeling rather strongly on this point 
from having more than once observed numbers of men 
wasting a great deal of valuable time most unjustly, because 
of invitations for advice upon nebulous projects.

I have heard nothing from Mr. Stewart and presume 
that, upon reflection, he is not disposed to furnish us 
with the tracing for which I asked.

Mrs. Olmsted wishes me to give you her regards and 
to remind you that we are still looking for the photographs 
that you were kind enough to send us. She fears 
that I did not adequately express her thanks for your 
offer and her desire to see them. I think that I did.

Yours very truly,
Fredk Law Olmsted.

Mr. Miles G. Nixon,
Waukegan, Illinois.

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Page 596. 1st February, 1892.
Dear Mr. André:

Mr. William Platt, by whom this letter will 
be brought you, is a recent graduate of Harvard College.
In vacations and holidays he has given a good deal of
time to reading upon matters of our profession, and to 
such study as was practicable in the Arnold Arboretum
under the guidance of Mr. Jack, whose intimate household 
friend he is. He early obtained your book and having an
opportunity to travel this Summer in Italy, as an assistant 
to his brother, who is a landscape painter and
etcher, he has said that he would be glad if he could, 
when passing through Paris, without intruding upon your
time, have an opportunity of simply paying his respects
to you. We cordially commend him to your friendly regard. 
He wishes to enter our office as a pupil, on his
return.

I have gratefully received kind messages from you
through Professor Sargent, and Mrs. Sargent has told me
of the pleasure she had in meeting you and your family.
She speaks with enthusiasm of her enjoyment of Paris.

What I now chiefly wish to hear from you, my good 
friend, is that we may hope to welcome you and your wife
here next year. I say next year, because there will be
a good deal to see at the Columbian Exposition, in the
preparation of which, we, as its Landscape Architects, 
have an important, exacting, difficult and most laborious 
part. But I do not mean in the horticultural department, 
or that of verdant decoration, that there will 
be anything of special interest to you, except, perhaps, 
what shall be found the outcome of expedients with which 
we are aiming to get a not altogether unseemly result
out of very unfavorable circumstances.

You know, perhaps, that the site was selected on
our advice. The several sites available were all most
unpromising. You will remember the bare, flat, treeless, 
water-logged, heavy clay prairie, west, north and south
of the town. The site that we advised was lower, wetter
and of poorer soil than any of the others. Our argument 
for it was simply that it was bordered by the Lake, the
only natural feature of scenery of interest near the
city. Our plan calls for canals and basins to be excavated, 
the material lifted from them to be spread so as
to give elevation above the natural swamp level, to the
sites for the buildings. The chief difficulty oppressing
us lies in the fact that the level of the water is very 
fluctuating and that it cannot be foreseen within several
feet what its average elevation will be in 1893. OurMr. Andre.   -2-   1st February, 1892.

method of meeting this difficulty, where the banks are
not to have terrace walls, is to plant willow cuttings
closely, with other such aquatic and semi-aquatic plants,
(such as Junci, Typhas, Nymphaeas and Irises) as we can
hope will flourish if their roots are left for some time
dry, or for some time submerged. We are making several
miles of such shore, taking all precautions that occur
to us as possible to guard the planting from being lifted
and carried off, or from being crushed by the heavy ice
forming in the Winter and to be crowded upon the shore
in the storms of the Spring. There is one grove of poor,
stunted and more or less dilapidated, small Oaks, which,
with some thinning and trimming off of dead wood, we
retain as the core of an island center-piece. Outside
of this we plant trees taken from the forest, also a considerable
number which have been growing from saplings,
set on the property by the Park Commissioners (you remember
Mr. Paul Cornell, who was one of them) ten to fifteen
years ago. Of the class of trees that you would
have for the terraces, not one is to be obtained in
Chicago, and we shall not attempt to get any of the few
that we might find in distant cities, because there would
not be enough to produce effects of composition and the
cost would be excessive. We may, however, obtain something
for tub-planting on the terraces from Florida or
California -- Oranges from the orchards and Palmettoes
from the swamps.

You know that the term Landscape Architect, which I
have used as the name of my profession for more than
thirty years, is sometimes caviled at and ridiculed here,
and more in England, as by Robinson in the Garden. It
seems to be assumed that it properly applies only to formal
gardening, and, while I repudiate this notion, I
have supposed that its French equivalent, -- Architecte
Paysagiste,-- had come down to you by direct descent from
Le Notre, or an earlier time. Wishing to say a word on
this subject, I was surprised to fine that while naval
architecture and hydraulic architecture are recognized
as established French terms in Littre's Dictionary, landscape
architecture is not mentioned. Can you imagine why,
and can you tell me if the term is of recent introduction
and to be considered in the least as still on probation?

I am, dear Mr. Andre,

Always faithfully yours,

Fredk Law Olmsted.


Page 653.   6th February, 1892.

Mr. D. H. Burnham, Chief of Construction,
1143 Rookery Building, Chicago, Illinois.

Dear Sir:

At your verbal request, received through Mr.
Codman, I shall aim in this letter to present for your
consideration certain tentative views and suggestions in
regard to boats in the waters of the Columbian Exposition.

First: What we have called an omnibus boat service
is assumed. The boats of this service would move
in regular order, keeping always on the right of the midline
of the channels through which they were passing,
thus leaving the middle of the channel everywhere free,
and also (there being no landings on the Island) leaving
more than half the water around the Island free.

I would propose that there should be as many as four
electric boats more than are necessary to be used at any
one time in the omnibus service. These boats would answer,
primarily, as a reserve from which boats would be
taken to fill the place of any disabled, or for any
reason thrown out temporarily from the regular service;
also, secondarily, when not required for the omnibus service,
these boats would be available to be let by the
hour to parties wishing to engage them.

Second: I would propose to build a pier extending
eastward from the point between the bridges at the east
end of the islet south of the Island, and at this pier
have a fleet of gondolas, some of which would ply on regular
voyages around the Island, keeping within fiftyfeet
of the left shore, thus leaving considerable space between
the course they would follow and that to be taken
by the electric boats, These gondolas to take all passengers 
offering, at a given rate of fare, omnibus
fashion, but to make no intermediate landings. Other
gondolas might be let by the hour at the same pier.

Third: I have had a conference with Mr. Bowyer
Vaux, late President of the American Canoe Association.
This Association has numerous branches in different parts
of the United States and Canada, and altogether a large
membership. Mr. Vaux thought it probable that canoe-makers
would be willing to supply a considerable number
of canoes free of cost to the Exposition, and that the
Canoe Club of Chicago would be willing to take charge of
these, and perhaps add to the number. It is suggested
that any man certified by the American Canoe Association
to be an expert canoeist shall be allowed, under suitable
regulations, to navigate the waters of the Exposition,D.H.Burnham. -3- 6th February, 1892.
from passing boats, and looked into from the bridges. 
Fishing boats on the shore of the Fish Exhibit.
I have thought out the above scheme considerably 
more in detail, but before proceeding with any written 
elaboration of it, would like to know how these main 
propositions strike you.
It would be desirable, if practicable, to have
 larger boats than any of the above, with masts and sails, 
lying in the harbor.
I think means to obtain a considerable number of 
gondolas and gondoliers should be taken at an early day. 
I find it difficult to believe that the gondolas at 
Cincinnati are in such bad condition that they could not 
be put right at less cost than that for which others 
could be obtained direct from Venice, and at any rate 
I should think they ought to be saleable at a price which 
would make it best for the Commissioners to obtain them 
and put them in such fair apparent condition that they 
could be moored in the waters, or at various points alongside 
the shores, to serve as picturesque furniture,
I should like to hear what the Government is doing 
about the proposed reproduction of the caraval of Columbus, 
what its size is to be, etc., so that the question 
where and how it can be most effectively exhibited may be 
brought out soon, and a suitable place be retained for
 it.
Since the above was written I have seen in a newspaper 
the enclosed statement that it is proposed in Norway 
to send out a reproduction of a Viking's Galley. I 
believe that with judicious effort a very interesting 
marine exhibit can be had. Someone should be assigned 
to the duty of working up the matter who would have a 
special interest in it, and who would yet not be disposed 
to make what can be obtained insubordinate to the general 
picturesqueness of the Exposition, or incongruous with 
other details of landscape composition. The best man is 
not unlikely to be a resident naval officer.
Yours truly,
Fredk Law Olmsted.D. H. Burnham.   -2-   6th February, 1892.

either in his own canoe or in one of those supplied as
above proposed. The more important of such regulations
would be that he keep as nearly as practicable in the
mid-waters of the Lagoons, and well out of the way of the 
omnibus boats.

You will observe that none of the boats above proposed
to be used would be rapid in their movement; that
all would be without oars or outriggers, and relatively
narrow; easily turned to the right or left; that the director
of the propelling apparatus, whether for the electric
boats, the gondolas, or the canoes, would be facing
forward with a clear vision of all before him, and
under the most favorable conditions for avoiding collisions.

These three systems I consider to be perfectly
practicable, safe and convenient, in every way. I think
it might be desirable as an element of picturesque interest,
to add a number of canoes, either comparatively
small ones of birch bark or the larger ornamented dugouts
of Alaska, with Indians in costume to paddle them, which
would also carry passengers on excursions around the
Island. My impression is that these would be a very
interesting addition to the attractions of the Exposition,
to Europeans, and that the fares for passengers
using the canoes would compensate the cost of the service.

So much for actual transportation service for boats.
It would be very desirable to have boats of a variety
of kinds, not to be kept in motion, but generally moored
or drawn up near the shore as objects of curiosity or
decoration, and for the suitable furnishing of the waters.
It would be desirable that among such boats there should
be sanpans and pleasure boats from Japan and China, Malay
proas, caiques from the Bosphorus, dahabiyehs from Egypt
and small boats from the Italian ports and others of the
Mediterranean, small boats from the Italian lakes, Norwegian
fishing boats, such as exhibited at the Philadelphia
Exposition, native surf boats from the South American
and the Pacific Islands, and Eskimo kayaks. My impression
is that most of these could be obtained by a
suggestion to the governments that they would be desirable,
but it would have to be arranged that if obtained in
this way they would be an exception to the general rules
with regard to exhibits, an exception by which, as far
as I can see, all parties interested would profit. The
boats might generally be placed near the ends of the
bridges, and on each side of the bridge ends, so that
they could be looked at horizontally from the shores and 

VI - WF Important                                           B

Salisbury, 20th April, 1892.

F. L. Olmsted, Sr., to Harry S. Codman.

Dear Harry:

After visiting a number of English public
grounds and seeing what the people here are accustomed
to I feel that it will be hardly possible for us to bring our
directors and our subordinates, if ourselves, to adopt and
maintain a standard of neatness sufficiently advanced to
save us from reproach. Neither public nor private grounds
and places are ever kept in America nearly as finely as it is
all but universal for them to be here, and what we might --
certainly what Chicagoans might -- regard as creditably
clean and neat well-ordered, would here be thought shabby,
sluttish and neglected. We must, I think, sacrifice something
of picturesqueness and beauty of outlines and of
plant arrangement, in order to facilitate neatness of keeping.
And we must urge liberality of outlay for keeping.
Burnham cannot be too strongly impressed with the importance
of working up to a higher standard of keeping than such an
one as we are all likely from habit to be willing to regard as
admirable.

In such retrospective musing review as I find
myself occasionally taking from the distance of our
Chicago general plan, I am pretty well satisfied, but I
feel that every thing depends on the elaboration of it yet
to be made, and upon the keeping. And as to elaboration my
judgment runs in ways that seem contradictory. First, the whole
affair looks too much disturbed, busy, fragmentary, incoherent,
abounding in objects, lacking breadth and consistency and
dignified sedateness. And I ask myself: Is the island
going to be a sufficient corrective of this? and; is the
lake not too much detached from the main body of the affair
to serve the purpose of a relief from this excessive 
crowding of incident? On the other hand I am afraid of an
unfurnished effect. The drift of my practical thought is
that we should aim to secure where practicable, undisturbed
breadths of fine turf and give much study to obtain quiet, 
graceful modelling and delicate play of light and shade
wherever we can have such breadths. That we must press
for originality of design, invention, simplicity and elegance
in the artificial objects scattered through the grounds.
Here one sees a great deal of elegance, especially in 
decorative planting but after a little is impressed with the
constant adherence to a few aims and a consequent monotony
- monotony of a large scale - monotony of style and of variety
in the use of a few materials. That we are in danger of
having too much similarity and repition of terrace effects
around the lagoons. Ought there not be a distinguished
separate architectural and horticultural individuality of
motive in the terrace fronts - the pedestals - of each
of the great buildings; some higher, some lower, someF. L. O. Sr., to Harry S. Codman, 20th April, 1892-  2.

heavier, some lighter; some simpler, some more broken and
complicated? That we must make the most of the opportunity
given us in the island to secure a refreshing contrast with
other parts more especially the opposite shore; contrast
of continuity and breadth as well as of abundant, mastering
profuseness of untrammelled nature. I think more than
ever the value of the island, and of the importance of
using all possible, original means of securing impervious screening,
dense massive piles of foliage on its borders; with
abundant variety of small detail in abject subordination
to general effect. To accomplish what is wanted within a
year then must to all possible crowding and infinite
small intricacy. There cannot be enough of bullrush,
adlumia, Madiera vine, catbriar, virgin's bower, brambles,
sweet peas, Jimson weed, milkweed, the smaller western
sunflowers and morning glories. There cannot be enough of
plants in pots to be crowded in, revised and replaced.
I only mean that I am more than ever impressed with the
importance of this element of the design. It is a very
fine track they have here but the way they all and everywhere
run into it and the absence of everything original or
really natural in their made pleasure grounds is a lesson.
I suppose that it was even more so in France, that is just
the fashionable style was followed with adaptation to circumstances.
We must make the most of our opportunity and
ability to do something appropriate, yet very different.

I am called off as I finish this sheet.

Yours faithfully,

F. L. O. F. L. OLMSTED & COMPANY,
Landscape Architects.

Brookline, Mass.

11th March, 1893.

Dear Mr. Ulrich:-

I trust that you recognize that, while aiming to secure a consistent
adherence to motives, outlines and broad features of our general
design for the Exposition work, it has been our policy to avoid as far
as possible giving you instructions which would tend to cramp the free
action of your mind, or to unnecessarily fetter your course in any way.
I have never before, in all the numerous works for which I have been
broadly responsible, trusted as much to the discretion of an assistant
or co-operator. And the results have been such that in the straights
in which we are placed by the death of Mr. Codman and my ill health, and
the consequent excessive pressure of other duties, I am more than ever
disposed to pursue this policy, and to carry it further. But I must
confess that I can not do so without much anxiety. And this anxiety
mainly grows out of my knowledge of your constitutional propensity to
trust too much to overcoming difficulties of all sorts by means of
an increasing degree of personal vigilance, activity and industry: a
degree that precludes such exercise as is urgently needed on your part
of deliberate and contemplative study; the delegation to your subordinates
of all duties not of the first importance; the reserving to yourself of
adequate personal direction of work that you can not safely put uponR. U.  #2.

others, and of providing, in case of accidents, or illness, the best expedients
for minimizing the bad results of such misfortunes.

We are close upon the most critical period of our task. I am
so tied by other duties and by my infirmities that I can not be sure to
be with you at that period. I can but urge you with all the rights of
official authority and of friendship that I have to do so, to guard
against this propensity, and especially not to trust as much as you are
disposed naturally to do to overcoming difficulties as they arise, by
extraordinary personal exertions. I want you to guard all you possibly
can, without distinct insubordination, against duties being put upon
you that are not absolutely essential to your special professional responsibility.
You certainly have been doing much that a good engineer
could do almost, if not quite, as well as you. It would be perfectly
practicable for Mr. Burnham to employ a hundred good engineers within
a week. It is wholly out of the question for him to find one man who
could at this stage take up your special professional duties. You can
not, in justice to your reputation afford to be occupied with other than
these special duties. We can not afford to have you. I most strenuously
urge you to do all you can to clear yourself of all business that it
is not indispensable that you should be saddled with. It is simply out
of the question for you to give as much deliberate thought as is desirable
to duties that can be taken by no one but yourself.

Now, as to these duties, I want to present and reiterate once
more certain ruling conditions and precepts. Never lose sight of the
fact that our special responsibility as landscape artists applies primarily
to the broad, comprehensive scenery of the Exposition. This duty is not
to make a garden, or to produce garden effects, but relates to the
scenery of the Exposition as a whole; first of all and most essentially, R. U. #3.
the scenery, in a broad and comprehensive way. I mean that this is what
the word landscape implies as to our duty (the word landscape signifying
the general character of a portion of the earth's surface as it appears
when looked at broadly and comprehensively). It is our business to
secure suitability in this respect in distinction from that sort of
beauty in particulars, details and small compositions that are suitable
to confined localities. The latter sort of beauty being that which is
to be aimed at in gardening that is not landscape gardening.
   If for lack of time and means, or of good weather, we come
short in matters of detailed decoration, our failure will be excusable.
If we fall short in matters affecting broad landscape effects we shall
fail in our primary and essential duty.
   Thus the shore plantations of the lagoons must first be
thoroughly well cared for, whatever else we shall be unable to attend
to.
   Now with reference to what is to be done in this respect during
this Spring's planting season, bear in mind that there is every reason
to expect an unusually short Spring and very brief planting season at
Chicago. I remember being there some twenty years ago when the ice on
the lake was not so thick as it is now; when it was less piled up along
the shores; when the ground was frozen less deeply, and when there was
less snow in all the country around. Whenever, during what should have
been the planting season, the wind came south, there was a superficial
thaw, the ground below remaining frozen, while the surface was flowing
with water and mud. Then the wind would shift to the northward, coming
off the icy lake, and surface would stiffen; then a thaw would follow,
freezing the surface, but not reaching the bottom of the frozen
ground before the wind came north again and once more the surface stiffen-R. U.  #4.

ed. Finally, we had two or three days of rain, clearing up with a
warm sun and a southerly wind, and almost as soon as the ground was
again dry enough to work, buds were swelling and the planting season
at an end. The whole planting season did not last a week.

You will not be wise if you do not lay your plans with reference
to similar conditions.

Now as to what must be done in the planting season, and as to
what you can afford to postpone rather than fail to have this done, let
me remind you that the whole field of the Exposition has already come
to be popularly called "THE WHITE CITY." The architects are going to
make it much whiter than, having regard to general effects of landscape
or scenery, I should have been disposed to have them. I fear that
against the clear blue sky and the blue lake, great towering masses of
white, glistening in the clear, hot, Summer sunlight of Chicago, with
the glare of the water that we are to have both within and without the
Exposition grounds, will be overpowering. All the relief that we can
possibly provide will, therefore, be wanted of dark green foliage.
Other colors, especially red and yellow, will be best seen, as I have
often said, only in glints, and as they will have the effect in a near
view of making the general masses of green more vivid. I would rather
that there should be no gardening decoration on the terraces, or anywhere
about the buildings, than that you should fail to secure all that
is yet possible in dense, broad, luzuriant green bodies of foliage,
and in conditions everywhere simply of neatness in such particulars
as perfect conditions of turf and good edgings for the walks. For the
present, therefore; that is to say, during the period in which general
planting will be possible, give yourself the least possible concern
about other matters than these.R. U.  #5.

And then, finally, do not lay out to do anything in the way
of decorative planting that you shall not be quite certain that you
will have ample time and means to perfect of its kind. There can be
little fault found with simple, neat turf. Do not be afraid of plain,
undecorated, smooth surfaces.

I did feel at one time that there was danger that some of
our ground might have a bare and unfinished aspect unless masses of
foliage and flowers should be introduced upon it. But as I see the constantly
increasing numbers of small structures for which concessions
are making, and which are to be scattered everywhere to supply visitors
with water, cigars, news-papers, lemonade, tea, chocolate, parched corn,
peanuts, fruit, medals and other souvenirs, and as I realize the number
of seats, awnings, flags and streamers which the architects are planning
to use at innumerable points, I have begun to feel that instead of being
unfurnished, the spaces between the buildings are in great danger of being
crowded with incidents, and I now have much more fear that they will have
a vulgar, fussy, over-decorated aspect than that they will be too plain
and simple.

My last accounts from Paris are that M. André himself is making
the plans and will perhaps come out and personally direct the decoration
of the grounds about the Woman's Building. It is not essential that
you should provide any decoration elsewhere, but it is of great importance
to your reputation that when people see whatever decoration you may undertake
to provide it shall not strike them as less refined or less admirable
in execution and maintenance than that which shall have been done by
the Frenchman.

I believe that you have taken care to have ready a very muchR. U.  #6.

larger amount of material for decorative garden work than you
will want to use. That is all right, if you only pick the very choicest
of it for use, and are not over reluctant to throw away all but the
choicest. I should think you would do well to divide it into three
parts, according to its quality and value for the needed places of decoration;
then use the very best for such places as care required near the
larger and finer buildings; use the second part so far as it may be
wanted near the State Building, and give it to those in charge of
these buildings and to those managing various similar structures upon
the Plaisance, if they will have it. Then to not be reluctant to
throw away the third part, even if that should be the large part.

Let us under-decorate rather than over-decorate. Let such
decoration as we have be distinguished for simplicity, elegance and refinement
rather than lavishness and splendor. Let it occur only where
it will be unquestionably fitting and becoming. Let all our decoration
be strictly auxiliary and subordinate to extended general effects. Let
us have no decorating of any kind that is not of the very best of its
kind. Let us be thought over-much plain and simple, even bare, rather 
than gaudy, flashy, cheap and meritricious. Let all our decoration be
a protest, challenge and defiance against the taste that calls for such
decoration as has been exhibited in Washington Park. Let us manifest
the taste of gentlemen.

But, for the present, and until the end of such planting season
as we may be allowed, bear in mind that all decoration is of extremely
minor importance, relatively, to the more substantial body dress of the
Exposition in plain verdure and foliage. Are you sure that you have
abundance of everything that in any contingency will be wanted to addR. U. #7. 

to the mass of trees, shrubs, vines, creepers and aquatic planting - 
everything, I mean in organization, in men, teams, boats, tools, plants, 
seeds, and so on. Have you taken all precautions possible to guard 
yourself against being interrupted, interfered with, bothered and diverted 
from your essential duties during that one week when you can hope to have 
entirely suitable conditions. It is a most important part of all you
have to do. Excuse my persistence on this point. I am sure that it 
is on this point that we are going to win or lose in comparison with 
all other World's Fairs. I would rather have but the smallest amount 
of decorative planting than fall short of the best that can possibly now
be done in making both shores of the lagoons as dense, varied, luxuriant, 
over-hanging, intricate, mysterious, as you have skill to make them. 

Yours truly,
(sd.) F. L. Olmsted. F. L. O.
Copy of letters to Ulrich
11th March, 1893 - World's Fair

OFFICE OF
D. H. BURNHAM, DIRECTOR OF WORKS,
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO, ILL.F. L. Olmsted
Worlds Fair

The Wellington
A strictly first class European Hotel
Gage Hotel Company Proprietors
Wabash Ave & Jackson Street.
Chicago, 14 March 1872

F.L. OLSTED & CO.
Rec'd MAR 16 1892

Dear John, We are expecting to
go to Milwaukee day after tomorrow. Boat
bids are to be opened Saturday. I shall have to
stay and aid in analysis and discussion of them
and hardly able to leave before Tuesday of next week.
I want to stop for a purpose at Magusa, and I  believe 
we have an engagement at Rochester.
There are some big breakers ahead but so far
the Fair seems to be moving on successfully. Our
work is as well along as we could hope it to be and we
are well out of the winter. Yet what remains looks
appaling. Harry seems to have it as well as possible
in hand and is showing high ability on the diplomatic
and social as well as the executive side. I fully realize that
you are overloaded and wish that you could be relieved. But
what can we do? Moving to a lower elevation has not perceptibly
lessened my trouble except that I am sleepingwell I feel about played out, much as when
I went to Europe with the weight of years added.
I am taking great care of myself
and wonder that no better results come of 
it.  I suppose that low vitality is the best 
name for my trouble.

We had an interview with the Horticultural 
chiefs this afternoon with encouraging 
results.  Harry has gone to the 
Park tonight to discuss schedules of planting 
supplies with Ulrich.  He is working 
hard, early and late.  Phil is with him.  

I have not had time to call on the 
Glessners yet.  I am generally lying 
down when not under pressure of business.  

Affectionately F.L.O.The Wellington
A strictly first class European Hotel
Gage Hotel Company Proprietors
Wabash Ave. & Jackson Street.
Chicago, _______________189___


Rec'd
21 Apl. 92
 S.S. Pavonia ;1 day west of Fastnet 
Dear Jnr, (Rick and Marion will write mother, 
Phil. will write Harry.) Good ship; good captain
large stateroom, well ventilated and steam heat shut off; quiet 
sea, fair winds until today, no fog since crossing the George's.
Never more than a dozen pasengers on deck; assiduous and 
clever service, good table, Yachting on a large scale.
It was hard to distinguish between my vertigo, and the 
natural dizziness of going to sea, at first, but since on more
fairly  on blue water I have felt neither and any unwellness
I have had might be dyspepsia. I feel tired and lazy and 
dont force myself to exercise much; tho' we have a capital 
free deck. For occupation I have chiefly been engaged with Grissom,
Sargent, Baedecker and Bradshaw. (Though I have been cruelly self-
-denying I have worked out an enjoyable scheme, of which Rick says that
he has written an abstract to mother; you will think it too much.  I think 
that we can work through it without strain by the 1st week of June. If it seems 
to me to be over taxing my strength, I shall shorten somewhere - probably near
the end.  I reckon on a good deal more being done by Phil and Rick than I
can do.  I mean to rest, for example, while they are in galleries & other 
interiors.  I have some definite lines of study to pursue outside.)  Our 
party flank the Capt., 2 and 2, at table, and he has not, apparently
found that I am not a real nautical man
and our talk is chiefly of ships and the sea.  He began with 
reminiscences of hardships [??] in his early apprentice days
and I count him better on any one; so we fell into comradship.  
I have not lost a meal & have drunk two quarts of 
port, The others have lost several and Marion does not yet  

[F.L. Olmsted
April, 1892
Life on Pavonia
Worlds Fair items 120come to table. She is all day lying wrapped like a mummy 
on deck & insists that she enjoys it. There is an excellent deck
steward and a nice stewardess and they are very attentive 
to her. There are two excellent elderly ladies who call me "Father
Bower", and there is a young lady who has been keeping house for 
her brother, a log cabin in the Shenandoah Valley, and has 
been visiting the Wadsworths in Genesco, and who had heard of 
us through the Fitzhughs, & who is going home to have a little of 
the London season.  We have hardly spoken to any one else.
I hope to return in time to review matters with you; to 
attend a meeting of the Boston Park Bd, and go with Mr. Vanderbilt 
& Prof. Sargent to Biltmore. 
 I have dismissed business as far as 
I could, but cannot avoid a little worry over the Park Board, nor
refrain from passing the Exposition under review, of the results
of which I need say nothing except that I have an increased desire
for a great wealth of common irises & such like bloom along 
the shores (Ceanothus & Cepalanthus, also) and would get all
possible, scattered with short and pinned willows; and an increased 
conviction that the water of the Grand Court needs
some striking furnishings.  I saw sometime ago a statement  in 
a newspaper that the government was going to have a reproduction 
of the Columbus  caraval, and have been reckoning on its
authenticity.  But Burnham knew nothing about it, and I fear
it has grown out of some  expression of mine of hope that the
govt. would provide it.  I would advise Harry to have inquiry
made at Washington.  A reproduction of the fleet of 
Columbus with colored sails, ship lanthorns, turrets & ornaments
with flags and pennants is just what is needed to

make the basin complete. It would add
a valuable raison for the whole arrangement
and the Exposition Company could well afford
to supply it if government will not. It would
give the necessary colour and furnishing to the
basin. As only fractions [?] scenic effect is 
wanted the hulls, above water, may be of sheet
iron,or brick, or staff. Below water any old
hulks would answer, not too long - canal boats.
It seems as I ought to be able to do something
for the Exposition while in Europe. Can
you give me nothing? I mean to try the electric
boats & to observe boats generally. I hope the contract
will be made with Barney, subject to 
modification of detail, as to cushions, awning,
&c, & that I may contribute to improvements on
my return.
A visit to Point d'Acadie, near the end
of the planting season, while not perhaps imperative,
is desirable. One thing to be done there is to
contrive a suitable gig top sort of roof, (awning,
trellis) for the stone seat on the bank near
the house. The dam, bathing pool and dressing
cottage need consideration. The shore shrubbery needs
filling out & where this should be supplemented for the summer
with morning glories, madinor vines &c. The low bush
planting west of house, Mr. V. thought shed be increased.

Afftly
F.L.O.Chislehurst, 21st April, 1892.

F. L. Olmsted, Sr., to Harry S. Codman.

Dear Harry:

(I cannot write with any of the pens here). I shall
be sending you newspaper slips suggested by the accident
Easter Sunday, as possibly having suggested bearing on Chicago
expedients. When we return to London the Perkin's promise to
take a trip to Oxford with us on an electric launch. I look at
all the pleasure boats we see, and there are hosts of them, and
shall have some suggestions to give to our contractors. I
hope if the contract is made it leaves some margin for improvements
of detail.

To cover ground too densely shaded for turf, a
difficulty which we often have to meet and seldom meet agreeably,
they have nothing promising here but ivy. Within certain
limits ivy looks very well. Nothing else does.

The weather has been much against me because it depresses
me and constrains me, though I have enjoyed more and learned more
than I had anticipated, against Phil and Rick, because they do
not get the full landscape charm and are not moved to truly
analyze its constituents. Neither realize fully what they are
gaining and Phil is inclined to expect to gain more than he 
will relatively from the great places. The "landscape
gardening" of the time is all a lifeless approximation to a
very limited range of patterns, or at the best, ideals, We see
no spark of invention or originality. It is everywhere very
fine but the limitations and confinement and uniformity of it
make one feel sure that there is no more original design in
any individual case than in a fashionable hat on the 500th proof
impression of a copper plate. But the neatness, elegance and
perfect order, and the smugness and completeness of the arrangements
show the impervious reign of an admirable form of
"respectability".

I was stopped abruptly in writing to you of the World's
Fair yesterday and am not sure how far I had gone. I am much
more impressed by reason of what I have seen here and by reflection,
with the difficulty we shall have in securing a decently
good keeping and in the avoidance of shabbiness, thread-business
and litter. The standard of an English laborer, hack driver or
cad in respect to neatness, smugness and elegance of gardens and
grounds and paths is infinitely higher than that of a
Chicago merchant prince or virtuoso, and we shall be disgraced
if we fail to work up to a far higher level than our masters
will be prepared to think suitable. We must bear this in mind
in our plans and laying out, bear it in mind to avoid difficult
places, complicated outlines and corners that will become
"shut-holes". And we must be strenuous against the introduction


-2-
F. L. Olmsted to Harry S. Codman   21st Apr. 1892.

of objects that will demand observation, that are not of
original and good design and elegant. The chief difficulty
in this respect will be with the State and other semi-independent
affairs. I do not believe that we can overcome it, but all
the more we must be exacting where our responsibility will be
thought clear.

I believe that it would be well for Phil to stay
here some weeks longer than I can afford to. There is so
much to be studied that I must pass. I have nothing on my
program for which I have not a special reason that I do
not feel bound to see, but if I had a month or more before me I
think that I should go back over much of the ground that we
have passed. So far our trip has been more successful than I
had hoped and I don't think that this cold will prove a permanent
setback, though it checks me rather badly at the moment.
It has been immensely interesting. I am too old for elation,
but instead of regarding the elation of my youth (I was 27
years old) with surprise, I only wonder that it was not
greater. As the result of 45 years of special study of landscape,
I have a much higher and more intelligent regard for
England. I rejoice to see Phil's appreciation of it, and
Rick's. But Rick's is rather less evident. Because English
is newer and stranger and he is yet younger and less educated
to it, I think. Less evident but only less. He takes to it and
is very ready to analyze and pursue deductions.

Faithfully yours,
F. L. O.29th April, 1892.

F. L. Olmsted Sr., to J. C. Olmsted and Harry Codman.

Dear Harry and John:

I suppose that it will always appear inexplicable
that we came to Paris and saw and did so little.
We have been every day to some point of interest professionally
and then I have been too tired to do anything else. I am just
reminded by a newspaper paragraph that McMonies is here at work
for us. We leave tomorrow morning and I shall not have
called on him or on any of the officials, or any friend except
Andre. It remains cold and my cough continues, and I am not
picking up as fast as I had hoped to. Don't attach too much
importance to what I said of Vilmorain. What little
he said about the Expositions showed interest and ignorance and
puzzlement and if I understood it was all consistent with
our apprehension of the inability of those responsible to
organize and carry on satisfactorily the Horticultural
Department. It seems to me that you will need to help them as
much as you can in a friendly and suggestive way without being
intrusive.

A newspaper telegram this morning tells us that the
Manufacturers' Building was partly blown down yesterday; the
result will be unfortunate delay and a loss of $15,000.
Taking the sum as an indication I don't regard it yet as a very
serious matter but am afraid it will add to your difficulties.
The report of cold weather and delayed spring I regarded as
favorable for our operations.

I have seen less here suggestive of better
methods or of new ideas than I expected. I am disappointed
in this respect. There is nothing attractive or good in
what is now to be seen in the grading of the Tuileries. We
should do better to disregard it entirely and trust to our own
invention. The shrub planting is poor, confused, undesigned.
Manning would do much better without special instructions. The
summer planting, budding, etc. is not out yet, but I see no
preparations that are promising a suggestion of good effect.
The less we think of Paris examples, I am inclined to think
the better will be the results. What I have said of Paris
applies to Versailles and Chantilly. Chantilly was purely
mechanical. No invention. The forest and trees and architecture
alone were of interest, and this was great.

Affectionately,
F. L. O.

Chantilly, as all other works of La Notre, has
seemed to me grand design in outlines, not well carried out
in foliage results and with considerable dreary vacancy. We
have seen no landscape architecture in natural style of modern
design. It is all designed bit by bit, theatrically and without
connection or breadth or unity. [*Copy entire*]
[*1886*]

239, RUE ST. H[ONO]RÉ. PARIS 
HOTEL 
DE FRANCE & DE BATH 
AU COIN DE LA PLACE VENDÔME 

F.L. OLMSTED & CO. 
Rec'd MAY 9 1892 
Ack'd _______
Ans'd _______

1.  

Last Sunday 2nd, April, 

We went to the Exposition 
Ground and were gratified
to find so much of the original Fair
remaining.  Four of the most important 
buildings South of the Seine & several 
smaller ones, besides the Tower and the 
Trocadera; the grounds, fountains &c., no 
where intentionally dismantled.  The 
season is, [Andre?] says, the latest he has 
known and none of the applied summer 
decoration was in place or on display: (a
few beds partly planted & water fountains.) 
There were several exhibitions open, four 
concerts or bands of music; numerous 
places of refreshment; the lifts on the 
Tower unable to keep up with the demand, 
so that one or two car loads were
always waiting, and several thousand 
people on the ground and attending 
the concerts.  This, although it was
raceday at Longchamps, & it seemed as
if all Paris was going to the races. Altogether
we could form a believable idea of2 

what it had been.  
   
The "stuff" is beginning to give way; quite 
plainly only in some of the statuary and ornaments, 
where it is scaling on the surface 
and at points has a spongey texture 
showing that it will not stand another winter. 
The gravel walks in some places 
looked well, possibly because recently
swamped; elsewhere poached and rutty
but might be made fairly satisfactory 
by a little surfacing & rolling.  The 
turf rather poor - very poor by contrast
with what we have seen generally in 
England. At a few points scaled and 
patchy.  Nowhere fine. The concrete walks 
generally standing well, and satisfactory.  At 
points the gravel walks had a surface of 
pebbles.  This may have been a recent mending 
but did not appear so.  It was not pleasant 
to the eyes nor to the foot. On the whole 
I am more encouraged to use gravel extensively
at Chicago, getting the best to 
be had and perhaps dressing the surface 
from time to time with brick ground and sifted
to the size of small peas.  I mean that 
a walk so made would, I think, compare, with


3

reasonable care in maintenance, favorably
with Paris. The borders of the walks were almost
any where guarded, and not much by
the iron edging. The simplest
and cheapest was (a)
a wire running at a height of about 10"
through billets of wood, and this would
have been most satisfactory to the eye
except that the wire was too light and 
was bent. Occasionally there were instruments
for tightening (as at a) but they were
inadequate for such slight wire - a wire
rope 1/3d of an inch thick would be
much better. But at the Exposition
Ground and many other places in Paris, wire
work, corresponding in size & principle
of construction with those I had got up
for Washington, are used. As made here
some fancy work is used. They must be
as nice without it. I think it will be
best to use something of the sort extensively
at Chicago. Something that will sell afterwards. 
Set in sufficiently strong frames
between slight iron posts, they are not obtrusive
& may be strong eno' to resist much4 
pressure and be as good as new at the end.
   The parapet of the main long basin seemed
to one the same with that which 
we have had in view and right as to
dimensions.* 
* 38" high, 20' broad, 3/4: crown, if concrete. 

I was not pleased with 
the sculptural boat fountain at the 
head of the basin and am disposed
to regret that we have a similar 
boat design, however different
the allegory and the composition of 
figures.  I am not satisfied with our 
design.  It will require a tempest of 
foam to be agreeable - foam and spray
& jets and waves, clouding the figures 
and all the sculpture.  No one can be 
more disposed to respect St Gaudens'
opinion, but I can't think it worthy this
place & this occasion.  I wish it were simpler [pley];
less completely allegorical & imaginative.
But I judge from the slightest 
sketch and tis past praying for. 
   The buildings (as they now appear) 
have much more [col] 
colour and much more 
ornament in color but 
much less in moulding & sculpture than I had 

239 RUE ST HONORE PARIS 
HOTEL DE FRANCE & DE BATH
AU COIN DE LA PLACE VENDOMES

5
supposed. They show, I think, their fitness
for their purposes - seem more designed for
the occasion and to be less like grand, permanent,
architectural monuments than
ours are to be. I question if ours are
not at fault in this respect and if 
they are not going to look too assuming
of architectural stateliness
and to be overloaded with sculptures
and other effects for grandeur and 
grandiloquent pomp. I mean to express
a doubting apprehension only. I would
have been glad to see in the French
buildings more intimate relation of all
to one  -more unity, but I presume that
when there were more of them & a more
general decoration of banners &c. they were
more brought together than now. 
   I feel that the much more extended
central open space with the plain
grouping of all the buildings around it
of the French Exposition gives an element 
of architectural grandeur that6 
in an attraction must be working. This 
greater elevation of the Trocadero, adds 
more greatly to this; The whole whir
all the buildings were [?] & the current 
plaza was alive, must have 
been a magnificent spectacle. We 
shall have nothing to compare with it. 
Our grandeur will be divided. We 
may make even more impression 
on the whole - taking the lake into account
& the dunes to be seen in the distance,
but not as a burst or coup, especially 
as in brake off the Lake in the 
outlook from the Administration Bldg.
We have it in an [?] [honor?] to excel 
in picturesque effect & must make 
the most of that.  
   In the evening we returned to 
see the fountains illuminated.  It was 
less showy & brilliant and much finer 
than I had imagined it.  The best feature 
was the great central
jet which was, considering 
all the rest as a base & support & appendage,

7
magnificent. The most
telling and beautiful effect was
procured by variations in the play
of the central jet and the surrounding,
subordinate features. As far as I understand
what may have been contemplated
in our arrangements, we
are to do nothing to be compared
with what I saw. And I think
this is wrong. How to do anything
better I do not well see. But I am 
inclined to think that we should
provide a grand central jet. It
may be high; it must be broad;
thick, columnar, strenuous, and
I think in some way this should 
be a display of a secondary and
supportive character [all] through the
centre of the basin from end to end.
[basin]. With my present understanding
of them I am made dissatisfied with
our plans of illumination of [?] in comparison
with that of the French Exposition.8
Andres referred with animation (admiration) 
of the island wholly used for land. 
[?]eaps effect, and Vilmoriss said that he 
had seen it stated that the the island was 25
be wholly assigned  to a display of Japanese 
gardening. Neither of them seemed preposed
to understand the extent of our aquatic 
planting or the necessity or reason for it :/: I am
more than every inclined to think that mosses 
make this the most notable gardening feature 
of the Exhibition and I would spare no necessary 
expense or pains to secure[s] an immense offluessor
of pond lilies an irises of the smaller 
Nebraska sunflowers and of morning glories and 
other plants that will troisse up and clamber out 
upon the rushes and cattails.  You will understand
by this time , from the results of last years'
work, what is thus hoped for in the shore planting 
& can judge where it can be strengthened & refined.
As yet I believe in getting more & more of it; in
pulling arts points & pushing in bays, crowding in
decorative flowering plants a & creepers to twinkle & 
reticulate and give complexity and intricacy to the 
stems & blades of the great grass like plants that I did make 
mention ths this day because I can not 
think of its name was that California . 
 Eschotlzia  which we used to set
flaming the grass in Mariposa.  I think that it grows 
easily from seed & said may be had by the bushel. 
[*:/: It seemed at one time that they di d nto value any plants ecept as a flower. bases
239 RE  Honore, Paris 
HOTEL 
DeFRANCE  DeBATH
AU COIN DE LA PLACE VENDOME

239 RE  Honore, Paris 
HOTEL 
DeFRANCE  DeBATH
AU COIN DE LA PLACE VENDOME
Mr. Andre said, in answer to 
inquiries  idn regard to tub-plants 
that the unusually sever winter 
a year ago had caused a great 
drought on the nurseries to supply 
the place of those injured, and that, 
in consequence, plants suitable for 
terraces could be obtained in France 
only by ordering a year or two in 
advance. (under personal guidance of M. Vilmoriss)
We saw in the storage house at 
the Luxembourg: fine old orange 
trees, and myrtle and Pittosporums
used as tub plants.  There were old  
pomgranates in tubs, looking poorly  

b.
at this season.  They had lost most 
of their leaves and seemed to be just 
breaking out

M. Villemorin, with whom we 
breakfasted at M. André's, told us that 
about once in 20 years ivy is killed 
to the ground in Paris, and that 50 
miles [into] further from the sea than 
Paris.  Magnolia grandiflora and 
Euonomus Japonicus as well as 
ivy were often killed and could not 
be grown except with protection. 
He seemed to be of the opinion that
the difficultly increased with distance 
from the sea, independently of elevation. 

M. André said that we should not 
be able to obtain any large stock 
of bamboos except by ordering in advance 
and having them propagated 
to fill the order.  


c

239, RU . HONORE. PARIS 
HÔTEL DE FRANCE & DE BATH 
AU COIN DE LA PLACE VENDÔME 

We saw at Dickson's in Chester 
large quantities of different hollies,
and it is not unlikely that hollies 
can be obtained from him at lower 
rates than from Waterer, but we 
did not see much of the nurseries 
as business was suspended for Good 
Friday.  The nurseries, however,
appeared extensive and well kept 
and the manager Mr Bailey, [was] a 
capable and accommodating  sort of man. 

M. Villemorin, who seems to be [an] the 
manager of the French Horticultural 
Exhibition for Chicago, has been puzzled 
by unexplained discrepancies between 
different official schedules of the 
Horticultural Department which he has 
received; and information in regard to exhibits 
has, in several cases, been sent to him tood.
late to be acted upon. For instance,
he was given no definite information
about exhibits of roses until late
in this month, when he was informed
that all exhibits of roses must be
sent to Chicago by the tenth of
May next. Altogether he seemed
though courtesy prevented his making
any direct statement, to be much
dissatisfied with the management
of the Horticultural Department,
and to feel that the French exhibits
would be very much lessened because
of the mismanagement
evident in its affairs.
He would like a plan which is 
complete and up to date - has
no plan of the Plaisance - and wants
to be kept posted as to the general
plans and those of the Horticultural
Department. He can not believe
that the plans of the department
are still incomplete or undetermined 
M. Andre also wants a plan of
the whole Exposition, as soon as

e.
one may be considered final,
for publication in the Revue
Horticole. The plan sent
to him should be one that
will appear creditably as
regards drawing, as well
as a complete and final plan.
(Better send him the best you can, soon F.L.O)
Neither Andre nor Vilmoin had up [?] as late a
drawing as the last I saw. They had a blue
print of a previous edition. They had better be
supplied promptly with whatever we can send them
from our office, hereafter. No harm in duplication.VI - W. F.                       B

April 1892.
Report by F. L. O. Sr.

           Last Sunday 2d April we went to the Exposition
Ground and were gratified to find so much of the original
Fair remaining. Four of the most important buildings south
of the Seine and several smaller ones, besides the Tower and
the Trocadero; the grounds, fountains, etc. nowhere intentionally
dismantled. The season is, Andre says, the latest he has
known and none of the applied summer decoration was in place or
on display; (a few beds prettily planted and rather forlorn).
There were several exhibitions open, four concerts of bands of
music, numerous places of refreshment; the lifts on the tower
unable to keep up with the demand, so that one or two carloads
were always waiting, and several thousand people on the ground
and attending the concerts. This, although it was race-day
at Longchamps and it seemed as if all Paris was going to the
races. Altogether we could form a tolerable idea of what it 
had been.
           The staff is beginning to give way; quite plainly in
some of the statuary and ornaments where it is scaling on the
surface and at points has a spongy texture, showing that it will
not stand another winter. The gravel walks in some places
looked well, possibly because recently revamped; elsewhere pouched
and rutty, but might be made fairly satisfactory by a little
surfacing and rolling. The turf rather poor, very poor by
contrast with what we have seen generally in England. At a 
few points scalded and patchy. Nowhere fine. The concrete
walks generally standing well, and satisfactory. At points
the gravel walks had a surface of pebbles. This may have been
a recent mending but did not appear so. It was not pleasant
to the eye nor to the foot. On the whole I am more encouraged
to use gravel extensively at Chicago, getting the best to
be had and perhaps dressing the surface from time to time with
brick ground and sifted to the size of small peas.
I mean that a walk so made would, I think, compare with
reasonable care in maintenance, favorably with Paris. The borders
of the walks were almost everywhere guarded, and not much
by the iron edging. The simplest and cheapest was
a wire running at a height of about ten inches through billets
of wood and this would have been most satisfactory to the eye
except that the wire was too light, and was bent. Occasionally
there were instruments for tightening (as at a) but they were
inadequate for such slight wire, a wire rope one third of an
inch thick would be much better. But at the Exposition
Ground and many other places in Paris, wire work fences,
corresponding in size and principle of construction with
those I had got up for Washington, are use. As made here some
fancy work is used. They would be as well without it. I think
it will be best to use something of this sort extensively at
Chicago. Something that will sell afterwards. Set in 
sufficiently strong frames between slight iron posts,
they are not obtrusive and may be strong and to-2-

resist much pressure and be as good as new at the end.

The parapet of the main long basin seemed to me
the same with that which we have had in view and right as to
dimensions. 38 inches high, 20 feet broad, 3/4 inch crown,
of concrete. I was not pleased with the sculptural boat
fountain at the head of the basin and am disposed to regret
that we have a similar boat design, however different the allegory
and the composition of figures. I am not satisfied with
our design. It will require a tempest of foam to be
agreeable, foam and spray and jets and waves, clouding the
figures and all the sculpture. No one can be more disposed
to respect St. Gauden's opinion, but I can't think it worthy
the place and the occasion. I wish it were simpler; less
completely allegorical and imaginative. But I judge from
the slightest sketch and 'tis past praying for.

The buildings (as they now appear) have much more
color and much more ornament in color, but much less in
moulding and sculpture than I had supposed. They show, I
think more fitness for their purpose, seem more designed for
the occasion and to be less like grand permanent architectural
monuments than ours are to be. I question if ours are not at
fault in this respect and if they are not going to look too
assuming of architectural stateliness and to be overbonded
with sculptural and other efforts for grandeur and grandiloquent
pomp. I mean to express a doubting apprehension only.
I would have been glad to see in the French buildings
more intimate relation of all to one, more unity, but I
presume that where there were more of them and a more
general decoration of banners, etc. they were more brought
together than now.

I feel that the much more extended central open
space with the plain grouping of all the buildings about it of
the French Exposition gives an element of architectural
grandeur that in our situation must be wanting. The greater
elevation of the Trocadero adds greatly to this; the whole
when all the buildings were here and the central plaza was
alive, must have been a magnificent spectacle. We shall have
nothing to compare with it. Our grandeur will be divided.
We may make it even more impressive on the whole, taking the
Lake into account and the domes to be seen in the distance, but
not as a burst or coup, especially as we break off the
Lake in the outlook from the Administration Building. We have
it in our power, however, to excel in picturesque effect and must
make the most of that.

In the evening we returned to see the fountains
illuminated. It was less showy and brilliant and much
finer than I had imagined it. The best feature was the great
central jet which was, considering all the rest as a base and
support, and appendage, magnificent. The most telling and
beautiful effect was procured by variations in the plan of the
central jet and the surrounding subordinate features. 



-3-

As far as I understand what may have been contemplated
in our arrangements, we are to do nothing to be compared
with what I saw. And I think this is wrong. How to do
anything better I do not well see. But I am inclined to
think that we should provide a grand central jet.
It may be high; it must be broad; thick columnar, strenuous,
and I think in some way there should be a display of a secondary
and supportive character through the center of the basin
from end to end. With my present understanding of them I
am much dissatisfied with our plans of illumination of
water in comparison with those of the French Exposition.

Andre referred with animation (admiration)
of the island wholly used for landscape effect, and
Vilmorin said that he had seen it stated that the island
was to be wholly assigned to a display of Japanese
gardening. Neither of them seemed prepared to understand
the extreme of our aquatic planting or the necessity or reason
for it. It seemed at one time that they did not
value any plants except as a flower bearer. I am more than
ever inclined to think that we can make this the most notable
gardening feature of the Exhibition and I would spare no
necessary expense or pains to secure an immense affluence of
pond lilies and irises. Of the smaller Nebraska sun-flowers and
of morning glories and other plants that will twine up and clamber
out upon the rushes and cattails. You will understand by
this time, for the results of last year's work what is to be
hoped for in the shore planting and can judge where it can be
strengthened and refined. As yet I believe in getting more
and more of it; in pushing out points and pushing in bays,
crowding in decorative flowering plants and creepers to twinkle
and reticulate and give complexity and intricacy to the stems
and blades of the great grass-like plants. Among the
twinkling and illuminating plants that I did not mention
the other day because I could not think of its name was
that California Escholtzia which we used to see flaming in
the grass in Mariposa. I think that it grows easily from
seed and may be had by the bushel.

-4-

Mr. Andre said, in answer to inquiries, in regard
to tub-plants, that the unusually severe winter a year
ago had caused a great draught on the nurseries to
supply the place of those injured, and that, in consequence,
plants suitable for terraces could be obtained in
France only by ordering a year or two in advance.

We saw (under the personal guidance of
Mr. Vilmorin) in the storage house at the Luxembourg;
fine old orange trees, and myrtle and Pittosporum used as
tub plants. There were old pomegranates in tubs, looking
poorly at this season. They had lost most of their
leaves and seemed to be just breaking out.

Mr. Villemorin, with whom we breakfasted at
Mr. Andre's, told us that about once in 20 years ivy is
killed to the ground in Paris, and that 50 miles further
from the sea than Paris, Magnolia grandiflora and
Euonymus japonicus, as well as ivy, were often killed and
could not be grown except with protection. He seemed to
be of the opinion that the difficulty, increased with
distance from the sea, independently of elevation.

Mr. Andre said that we should not be able to
obtain any large stock of bamboos except by ordering in
advance and having them propagated to fill the order.

We saw at Dickson's in Chester, large quantities
of different hollies, and it is not unlikely that hollies
can be obtained from him at lower rates than from
Waterer, but we did not see much of the nurseries as
business was suspended for Good Friday. The nurseries,
however, appeared extensive and well kept, and the manager,
Mr. Bailey, a capable and accommodating sort of man.

Mr. Villemorin, who seems to be the manager of the
French Horticultural Exhibition for Chicago, has been
puzzled by unexplained discrepancies between different official
schedules of the Horticultural Department which he
has received, and information in regard to exhibits has,
in several cases, been sent to him too late to be acted
upon. For instance, he was given no definite information
about exhibits of roses until late this month, when he
was informed that all exhibits of roses must be sent to
Chicago by the tenth of May next. Altogether, he seemed
though courtesy prevented his making any direct statement,
to be much dissatisfied with the management of the
Horticultural Department and to feel that the French
exhibits would be very much lessened because of the mismanagement
evident in its affairs.

He would like a plan which is complete and up
to date. He has no plan of the Plaisance, and wants to
be kept posted as to the general plans and those of the


-5-

Horticultural Department. He cannot believe that the
plans of the Department are still incomplete or undetermined.

Mr. Andre also wants a plan of the whole
Exposition, as soon as one may be considered final, for
publication in the Revue Horticole. The plan sent to
him should be one that will appear creditably as
regards drawing, as well as a complete and final plan.
(Better send him the best you can, soon.) Neither Andre nor
Vilmorin had yet as late a drawing as the last I saw.
They had a blue print of a previous edition. They had better
be supplied promptly with whatever we can send them from
our offices hereafter. No harm in duplication.

F. L. O. VI. W.F.                                          B

Blois, May 1, 1892.

P. Codman to H. S. Codman.

Dear Harry:

Mr. Olmsted has just dictated to me the following.

"In regard to Chicago, Andre without any suggestion
from me, made these observations".

'In Paris at the Exposition, after our arrangements
were well advanced, and all other provisions made, it
became obvious that on the terraces and surrounding grounds,
would be a bare and unfinished appearance, and that the
Exposition as a whole would suffer from it.

After consideration, it was decided that there was
but one thing to do and that was to bring large quantities
of Palms from the south of France which was accomplished successfully.
Nothing else would have answered the purpose, or
had the desired effect.' "Andre said further", 'from what
I know of your plans, you will find it, I predict,
even more the case with you at Chicago. You may do something
with the importation of fine well-grown hollies similar trees,
but that you will not find what you can do in that respect,
will be adequate. You will be obliged to do what we did, and to
get Palms from the Mediterranean'. "I said, we have thought of
that and have concluded that we would need Palms, and have
made inquiries, and are expecting to get Palms from
California and Florida". "He said", 'you will get
Washingtonia from California, I suppose'. "I said, yes, we
had thought of Washingtonia". "He then fianlly said," 'I don't
think it will do, and that you have not in America such Palms
as will do, you will have to get them from the Mediterranean.'

"My conclusion is, do what we will, we shall not be
able to adequately furnish our terraces with Palms, or with
foliage in any form. We must make a profuse use of awnings
and objects of Art, on the terraces". "Andre also spoke
favorably and without suggestion from me, of having vases on the
parapets of the terraces, to be filled with plants. I am
still inclined to think also, that we should continue to employ
young willows or other plans of pliant growth, in the form of
great detached vases or towers of foliage. Our Exposition is
only for the summer, the willow comes out early, holds its
foliage late and can be had of good strong colors, and glossy
texture. But the method of using it must be invented and
experimented with this summer.

I am much impressed with what we have seen at
Chantilly, Blois and Chambord, at the dreary effect of very
large buildings, with large grounds, not generously garnished
with foliage. All these chateaux that we have seen, looked at
largely, appear dreary, incomplete and forlorn for want of
adequate foliage furnishings. The Louvre and Versailles, much
less so. 


-2-

P. Codman to Harry Codman, May 1, 1892.

I particularly urge at Chicago, the getting in of
covered ways, of bright-colored stuff, with masts and "valances"
and any appropriate drapery. Also my convictions that I
have constantly expressed, of the necessity of getting water
craft of various kinds to fill out the basins and lagoons,
are strengthened by what I have seen. I hope measures for
this will not be neglected.

Mr. Olmsted seems well and is enjoying himself.
The season is late both in England and France. After a week
in Paris we are now on the way back to England seeing some of
the Chateaux and the Channel Islands. Hope all goes well.

P.C.[*VI  World's Fair  From Miss Billard 
Copied for Plty Dept Oct 1917*]

Rennes May 4th 1892.
Memorandum copy, chiefly as to Two Plants in 
France.  [*Probably by PC at request FLO*]

[*F.L. OMSTED & CO. 
Rec'd May 19 1892 
Ack'd ...
Ans'd....
JCU*]

   Year one is made in France of two plants, both 
in the houses and out of doors.  It is very common 
to see a row of smooth -leaved evergreens set along 
closely together in front of shops especially restaurants
in the court-yards of hotels, and before 
public buildings.  In front of the [Chateau?] at
Angers. There were as many as 50, set on the back 
part of the side-walk and placed in such a 
manner as to carry out the line of the more advanced 
parts of the building.  
   It is too early in the season for us 
to have seen the best and most notable examples 
of two plants, such as that in the Tuilleries, and 
other public gardens, in which Oranges are generally 
used, many of them being of great age and large 
size.  Plants of this class are not in the market
and, we are advized, could only be obtained, if at 
all, from some private owner who was in difficulties
or about breaking up a villa establishment. 
Andre said that we might obtain them perhaps by 
advertizing.  He knew of no other way, except that of 
chance occasions.  For [Tubs?] evergreens such as
Phyllerias, Plotinias, Lauro, ceranus and [Euongmus?]
Japonicus are much used.  Those rarely, [Aucif?]
Oleanders, Pomegranates and Box Hollies also, 
but much less than in England.  Conifers very
rarely, and nearly always where we have seen them
they look badly.  For small affairs, such as
restaurants, shops and small town dwellings nothing2.
or so commonly or successfully would  as Euonymiss
Japanicus and I am  inclined to think That 
as it requires less winter protection it can be 
more generally adapted with better advantage Than 
anything else with us. Though the effect is not as 
good as [Lasses] times.  The last  rarely seen large 
execution of it . and perhaps it has but recently 
been coming into common use.  Know that we 
have seen and but 3 or 4 ft. above the top of the
tub. Int hsi house there is a staircase in which 
the sairs are extended about 1 ft. beyond the 
banisters and one each tread of this extension a 
pot is placed containing a plant of Aucuba and 
Oleander, the top of which come a little above the 
handrail forming a pleasing screen.  In this 
corners of public halls and anti-rooms, it is
common to place either single plants or a 
group of  evergreen plants in tubs.  Sometimes
these tubs are ornamental, being made of pottery,
more commonly they are of wood, and are often
handsome.  Simple specimens of good cooper's
work  varnished oak, with neatly made iron
hasps, sometimes bronzed.  The handsome 
tubs are frequently place on pedestals or-
occasionally  of considerable elevation.  that is to 
say like as 5 ft,  Where handsome pottery is used 
the plant is commonly in an earthenware jar 
within the outer pottery.  We have also seen, at 
one of the Chateaux red earthenware vases about 
3 ft.6in. across the top and 2 ft.6in. high. These 
had evidently been made in sections upon the
 potter's wheel. The section being place one over the

3.
other. 
At Angers we saw in various places public and private.  
large numbers of Chamaevax excelsa, which when 
planted in the open ground of gardens and 
cars[???]ts, and having been protected from snow was
said to be, and seemed to be perfectly hardy 
and in various situations, more especially in relation
with architectural  manner, were interesting and
effective.  Many were seen in what seemed to be
very small tubs,  hardly if at all more than 
twice the diameter  of the trunk.  Pots, say 18 in.
diameter by 2 ft. in depth.  These were sometimes 
placed on pedestals 3 to 4 ft. high so that a 
man could walk easily under the Pam branches.
 Those of which we are speaking had a trunk 
of from 4  to 6 ft. in height above the pot and a
spread of foliage from 6 to 10 ft.  They are for 
sale at the different nurseries at Angers.
L. Levoy 4 to 5ft. height of trunk $2.00 each
A. Levoy 2 to 4 ft. " " " $1.00 to $2,00 each
Les Catalogues.  Very small ones at lower prices 
$50.00 per 100.  Plants of 5 to 6 ft. may be picked 
up by either of the Levoys at a number of 
small places to the number of perhaps 100 
at about $200 and $3.00 each.  It was said that 
snow, melting on the crown of these trees, caused 
a rotting process to be established that was 
fatal to the plant, which was therefore to be 
protected by some slight cover of the crown in 
winter.
Nate
I don't know why we have not used Ruscus. 




 






























eu4 
Racemosus in connection with the evergreen plants 
at Biltmore, especially along the water-side, as
it would harmonize well with the evergreen
bullrush, and other reedy plants. It is offered at 
$12.50 for 100 (size?) by A. Leroy. 
Note.
L. Leroy offers Hedera helix seedlings 3 years old,
once transplanted, at $6 and $7 per 1000. 
Green tea plants can be obtained from A. Leroy,
at 25 cents each. Groux advertises Acanthus lat.
in three varieties at 1 and 2 francs each retail. 
Note. 
No one with whom we have conferred has ever heard
of Mahonia repens, except as a nurseryman's 
variety of Mahonia aquifolium, and André frankly
said that he believed us to be mistaken in 
supposing it to be found in the Rocky N. E.
otherwise than as an occasional part of M. aq.
Note.
With reference to Chicago I wrote that Crown
advertises Rheum colleanum as " A novelty of 
great merit, having very large leaves and rosy
flowers" price 2 francs to 3 francs apiece. 
Note.
Hippophae rhamnoides would give a pleasing
variety in color, if used on the shore plantations
at Chicago. Offered by A. Leroy. transplanted 
hedge plants at $6.25 per 1000. 
Note.
Various kinds of Tamarisk are offered by 
A . Leroy at $5.00 per 1000
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora is offered5
by G. Leroy at $2.00 for 100. Also Rhus cotinus
transplanted at $5.00 for 1000.  And Ruscus socmorus
at $12.50 per 100. 
Note.
Please to remember my suggestion that peach trees 
Hawthorn (quickset) and Fraclus, may be bought 
cheaply by the 1000, and will serve for variety 
with willow on the shores at Chicago. 
Note 
No nurseryman has Daphne cneorum in quantity 
and all decline to take contracts to propagate it.  
The same is true of Alpine rhododendron, and 
G. Leroy was very positive, in saying that he 
would not grow them, as there was no demand.
G Leroy said that they would not succeed except 
in snowy regions
Note 
I have not seen Abel's [?] though the 
nurserymen all know it.  There is no demand 
for it, and they do not now grow it.  No one has 
been wiling to take a contract to furnish it 
in quantities, probably because they did not 
know where to obtain stock for propagating 
it.  Even at Cenjens Cedrus Deodarus is not quite
hardy.
Note. 
I have seen large fields of Raper, presenting 
massive bodies of golden yellow bloom, good 
to be interspersed perhaps, with other thick 
plantations at Chicago. 
Note
Roads near Dal. bordered with clay and sodfences not generally covered with a thick
growth of Hawthorn, intimately mixed and 
alternating in patches with brambles, gorse, 
broom, ivy, nettles, daisies and other flowering 
plants. 
Note. 
Tamarisk (Gallica?) grows wild near the 
shore near Pontonon and from St. Michel, 
and we saw many hedges of it growing on 
the sod fences, as in last note.VI - W.F. 
see letter 
FLO to SCO 
15 May 1892i
In regard to 
fernery for WF 
(now filed IV Bost -
Franklin Park)London, 19th May, 1892.

F. L. Olmsted, Sr., to John C. Olmsted.

Dear John:

The apprehension grows upon me that our plan
of shore planting for Chicago is too monotonous; that we
should try to have more and aquatic variety of foliage
coming to and stretching over the water and at places more
boldness of tree forms, uprightness of foliage. This
and expedients for sometimes making the ready planting
recede and become deeper and more complex, being now and
then lost sight of behind headlands of tree foliage.
I suppose I feel the need of effect in this respect, the more
because we have seen such an extent of patent Brownesque
shores of so called ornamental waters in France and
England; bearing a similar relation to natural woody
shores that a room of oak paper hanging does to a room of
real oak wainscott. Everywhere the best ornamental
grounds that we see are those in which vines and
creepers are outwitting the gardener. We can't have
little vines and weeds enough. Chiselhurst, May 25, 1892

F. L. Olmsted Sr., to Harry S. Codman

Dear Harry:

Your letter of the 12th May came last night.
I am sorry to hear of your illness and of Prettyman's
resignation.

All the rest of your news is reassuring and
relieves me of anxiety.

You are right in supposing that I had not fully
understood the scheme of the fountain. Particulars that
you mention, especially the two upright jets "to be used
solely for illuminating purposes" add precisely the elements
which I felt to be required.

I am still often picturing to myself the probable
results next summer of our planting scheme, and thinking of
expedients by which they may, without much expense, be
made more effective. The name of the broad-leaved
Rhubarb-like plant which we saw in Guernsey, Waterer says is
Gunera-scabra. You should consider whether it is not
desirable to be used largely. It might prove unsatisfactory
late in the summer. It is certainly very desirable at this
season.

As I drive through the commons here and along the
edges of the smaller streams and ponds, I often notice
beautiful effects which result from the crowding together
and the crowding down of certain common plants, all to be
procured here in large quantities at small cost. For
example, gorse, hawthorn, brambles, sweet-briar, ferns,
nettles and the white birch; the latter especially,
where by the browsing of donkeys or other accidents, it has
lost its top and been led to thickly throw out new spray
horizontally, is often very effective, overhanging banks and
shores. Most of these things are to be obtained here, in
the form of hedge plants and seedlings, at very low prices,
by the thousand. Shortened in and planted near the water
they would throw out early in the season very graceful and
delicate sprays, fringe-like, in pleasing combinations one
with another, and all with the willows and reedy and rushy plants
that we have. I don't know that we shall need them, but
late in the season we may conclude that an improvement
can be obtained by their use, and I suppose that they could
be imported in the autumn and crowded in next spring.

Again, as I imagine the result of what we have
done, I often think that a good deal might be gained if the
reedy planting on the water's edge could have an occasional echo


-2-
F. L. O., Sr., to H. S. Codman, 25 May, 1892.  - 2.

of different forms of reed and rush-like plants to be seen
over them on higher ground behind. This is a return,
perhaps, to my old notion of introducing patches of cane
or bamboo back of rushes. Possibly Pampas grass would
answer the purpose. There is here a plant, common in
wet ground, which they call bullrush, apparently; but it
is three or four times as tall as our bullrush.

I am more and more prepared to approve of
considerable spaces of plain turf, and more and more disinclined
to much use of bedizening bedding plants, etc.

Lunching yesterday at Mr. Brice's with a
small company, most of whom had traveled in America, one
said to me: "We should be making our plans now to go to
Chicago next year, but for fear that we could not stay 
there any time comfortably except at very extravagant
cost. I believe that all the tolerable inns are liable
to be overful even under ordinary circumstances, and I
suppose that during the Fair the innkeepers will very
greatly advance their prices."

We have hardly spoken to any one in France or
in England, that dread did not appear of the difficulty
and cost of getting from the seaboard to Chicago and of
finding lodgings there at reasonable prices. "It's too far
and too difficult and too costly", we are told. "Why it's a
thousand miles away after you have got to America. Is it not?"
A man asked me the other day, evidently imagining that the
difficulty of getting from London, over two or three different
lines, to a place 600 miles away, would be at least ten times
as multiplied, for one who wished to go from new York to
Chicago. To the lady at Mr. Brice's who knew what
American trunk lines are, I said that I believed that a
canvas was now being made with a view to a classified list, so
that, as visitors approached the city, agents would meet them
and offer several grades of accommodations at prices not
above those that are paid for corresponding grades at the
different classes of hotels under ordinary circumstances.
What arrangements are making to supply visitors with such
meals as Englishmen are accustomed to have at their lodgings I could not say; but
I knew that very large accommodations of cafes and restaurants
were being made on the Fair ground. Thereupon I was advised
that the sooner a full and accurate statement could be given
here of what visitors could be sure that they would find in
respect to lodging and board, the larger would be the number
of English visitors. People here often make their plans for a
summer vacation long in advance and make them with more
regard for comfort and for economy than is customary with
Americans. Mr. Brice said that there is much curiosity now
with all classes of Englishmen with regard to America, and the
number of those who would like to go there if they were
assured that they could do so without heavy cost or great
discomfort, is very large. VI. W.F.                            A

P. 757

WHM to Mr. C.

27th May, 1892.

Dear Mr. Codman:-

I was at the Newton Cemetery day before
yesterday and secured prices on a number of Palms
and other greenhouse plants which were too large
for the conservatory there, and which Mr. Ross desires
to dispose of. Most of these I intend to
secure for Mr. Albright. Among them was a very
large plant of what he called Latania barbonica
(Livingstonia), which looked to me more like
Washingtonia, although I am not sure. It is a plant
that would have been over thirty feet high if the
top leaves had not been cut off, with a spread of
about twenty feet and a trunk nearly one and a half
feet in diameter,-one of the largest specimens
that I have ever seen- and he offers to sell it for
$10.00 (ten) I should think you would do well to
order it at once for the World's Fair. It must
be ordered at once because Mr. Ross wishes to get
it out of the house as soon as possible. The chances
are that it would be more or less injured in removal
from the house, on account of its size, but probably it
can be brought into shape in time for the opening of
the Exposition. If you will let me know when the
plant is ordered, I will arrange to have a skillful
palm-packer go to the Cemetery and pack this at the
same time with the others. Mr. Ross has no one
on the ground who is competent to pack these plants
and wishes me to secure someone to be responsible
for the packing, he to furnish all the labor. There
are also two India Rubbers, with stems about five feet
and tops that have been cut back, which he offers for
$2.00 apiece; also, a Phormium tenax (green) about
five feet high, which he offers for $10.00 (which
is all it is worth).

I have attended, as far as I could, to the
Burnham matter; have ordered the herbaceous plants
required. I was unable to procure the grapevines,
they being too far advanced; neither have I been able
to secure the Japanese Honeysuckle for covering the
wall back of the perennial border. I have also ordered
200 Periwinkle and 50 Rosa Wichuraiana. I do
not think it would be advisable to plant the Japanese
Honeysuckle in the perennial border (as it is now
planned) to cover the wall, for it would very soon


27th May, 1892- W.H.M. to Mr. C.  - 2 - 

be all Honeysuckle and no perennials, which would
perhaps be just as well, but not as intended. As
it stands now, the perennials will cover most of
the wall on the north side, as well as on the west and
south, in the Summer when fully grown. On the west and
south, it was intended that the plants outside the
wall would over-reach and cover most of the stones.
I feel that your criticism with regard to the garden
is a little unjust, for I have added, since we talked
the matter over, nearly 150 shrubs and 200 herbaceous
plants, inside the limits of the shrub garden and under
the wall to the east. I am satisfied, as I told you,
that the result will be a satisfactory one and that
the shrub planting will be practically a compact mass
of foliage this Summer, which is all I supposed was
required. If it is planted any thicker than it is
at present, it will be closer than we ordinarily plant.
I do not believe you intended to criticise unfairly
but presume that you did not realize what the effect
would be, as the herbaceous plants among the shrubs,
and shrubs which were put in recently, made little
show at the time you were on the ground.

Yours very truly,

Warren H. Manning

Mr. H. S. Codman,
1143 Rookery, Chicago, Ill.VI WF                                              B

Hampstead, N. W., 27th June, 1892.

F. L. Olmsted, Sr., to J. C. Olmsted
Dear John: Touching  Chicago
It is to be kept in mind that it is always open to
us to dam the outlets from the grand basin. If the dredging
badly disturbs the lower parts of the shore planting, it
may for this and other reasons be thought best to abandon the
attempt to keep the water within at the lake level. To make
the change would, I suppose, require coffer dams to be made
before insetting permanent dams and sluices, and it must
be set about soon. I have always regarded it as an open
question, a question of a nice balance of advantages or
disadvantages. There seems to be a method in use upon the
upper Thames of transferring boats through dams, or from one
level to another of the river without locks, which may possibly
be available for us; the dam arrangement is concluded
to be best. I still hope to be allowed to go up the Thames
and if I do I will report upon it. Further, as to Chicago,
I never drive without seeing something suggestive as to
our shore planting. A pond on a rustic common which we saw
yesterday (Marion, Rick and I) was almost the ideal thing in
parts. The prettiest plant common here and in France, not with
us, is called the water ranunculus. A little floating weed
with abundant, and so far, constant, small white bloom.
I think I have seen it with us, perhaps at Chicago, among exotics.
What they call the Rush here (as I understand is a
reedy plant with a lofty banneret of bloom, growing
ordinarily 6 to 8 feet high, under favorable circumstances
10 to 12 feet. There is another called the flowering rush
(I am told) more ornamental. Perhaps we should get a
quantity of the roots of these to be planted next fall.
If they could be moved without heating they would be
a pleasing addition to our variety and not costly.
And I feel that we want all practicable varieties. I
am always hoping to hear of vast quantities of irises in
association with culla-like and burdock-like or rhubarb
like great leaf plants. As to garden decoration proper,
I have not been able yet to see anything, or rather,
nothing I have seen here or in France is good or promising.
I should expect, perhaps, varied and mixed banks against
strong backs of shrubbery or architecture. These sometimes
look fairly and promise better. And at present I am able to
look forward to nothing in decorative planting at Chicago,
except of this kind for which we have great openings)
with any confident satisfaction. The more I see of
bedding planting, riband planting, etc., detached from
backings (and made in a degree subordinate to (and as it were


-2-

F. L. O. to J. C. O.
June 27, 1893.

a trimming or fringe to) massive, dense or solid, nearly
monotone bodies) the less am I pleased with, or inclined to use
it extensively. No one here seems to have landscape sense, and
all criticism and praise applies to details independently of
landscape composition or architectural propriety. But all I
can say upon this is premature for really I have seen nothing
either of gardens or of representative intelligent people --
people specially intelligent in this direction. Marion
has seen more of these but I do not think what she reports
conflicts with my impression.VI - WF                         B
Inspiration in Thames

Newbury, July 17, 1892.

F. L. Olmsted to Partners.

Dear Partners:

I have had two days experience with
electric launches, making the trip from Richmond to Maidenhead
in one boat; from Maidenhead to Henley in another,
and have seen several others, most larger than the largest
of those used. The smallest of our boats were 35 feet
long, 6 feet full beam, cockpit from combing to combing
4'10" at widest; had seats for twenty, with comfortable
sitting space. There was but one boatman and he managed
the boat in all respects perfectly well, easily, without
special skill and with no exertion. The river was at points
crowded and we passed the numerous locks and narrow canals,
made landings, etc. always neatly, efficiently and
comfortably. The boats were charged for about nine hours.
We did not see the charging which was done at night. I
think our speed did not much exceed six miles an hour.
The wake was slight and would not, I judged, disturb
our banks at Chicago at all, though where we were near the
shore it gave a slight waving motion to the reeds growing out
of the water. When going at full speed, there was more
trembling vibration than was quite pleasant, yet hardly
as much as I had found in a steam launch. I should advise
any possible expedient to be used to secure quietness in this
respect. The boats had different seating arrangements. That
of neither would serve our purpose at Chicago. What was had
in view in my last advice on the point to Nixon would be
much better. The awning, or tilt, perfectly met the requirements
I prescribed to Nixon and which he could not see his
way to. It was (I judged) of unbleached hemp canvass,
dyed of a very light greenish hue. It was supported upon a
slight wire rope between brass stanchions at the ends of the
cock-pit; the rope set taught by a standing turnbuckle in the
middle. The canvass was spread by splints like sections of
hoops, passing through tubes of the canvas, much as neat canvas
wagon tilts are. These hoops come about three feet
apart from end to end. A section of the tilt, amidships would
be about like this. I will send wood-cuts representing it
better. (Narrower bow and stern). We saw one electric boat
in which the distance from A to B was much more (and the
awning was a much darker color.) It was by comparison very
ugly. As I always said, in discussing the subject, the
question of the awning is a very nice one, and with
reference to lightness of effect it is extremely important.
The curve is required to shed rain, I suppose, and if slight
is unobjectionable in appearance. Great care should be used
in this respect, some  awnings that we saw being very clumsy in
effect, and giving a clumsy character to the boat. There was
a valance along the edge of about six inches, with a red-bordered
small scalloped margin. Under the valance curtains


F. L. O. to Partners, July 17, 1892.

-2-

rolled up to let down in case of rain and fasten to brass
rings outside the cockpit combings. I would have the contractor
provide one of these awnings and let us study it,
before they order all, as it is a nice matter and we may be able
to suggest a little modification which would be of material
value.

There was very little paint on the boats. The
natural woods varnished were disappointing in general
effect, the original light and elegant quality so obtained
having in any case that we saw, been dulled and the boats
looking, consequently more worn, shabby and dull than they
should. The prettiest boat that we saw, and we saw literally
thousands, was black with a narrow gold bead and light green
below the water line. The finer boats generally showed a
good deal of polished brass work, and the furnishings were
strikingly good, nice copper-fitted boat hooks, copper-framed
lanthorns, etc. The wheel and all apparatus
showing solid brass, highly polished. The tilt was held in
place by lanyards made fast to firm brass rings set in
brass plates outside the combings. Satisfaction with a boat
depends much on the elegance of the fittings and moveables.
In the best boats on the river fine seamanship still is
seen in the awning, the ropes, in turksheads, gratings,
cushions, etc. The electric boats had plain vertical stems
and long overhangs, aft. Many of the steam launches that we
saw had the old fashioned sloping heads, some with a very
long spoon-like curve, and I judge, as this was the case, more
especially with those which were newest and smartest, that
there is a reacting tendency of fashion that way. In a few
cases there was a rather good decoration bow and stern, and
the best had a good effect, but none was very good. I hold
to the opinion that if an artist would give his mind to such
work -- very light and dainty filagreeish -- it could be
used with very good effect. In respect to head treatment, to
carvings and slight and delicate gilt gingerbread, and to
color outside and inside, I think variety desirable, each
boat varying in some respect from all others. I would have
some black bodies and some of light clear colors, relieved
with gilt and brass. I saw no boats as finely finished --
by which I mean as nearly like fine carriage work -- as I
think they well might be. Singularly, the very best we saw
in this respect were punts of mahogany. Next canoes.
Both punts and canoes were often occupied only by ladies.
The lady punters were sometimes poling with silver-tipped poles.
Boating of all sorts is enormously in fashion. The boats are
sometimes delicate and fine, but refinement might be
carried much further.-3-

Wargrave. Berks, 19th July, 1892.

F. L. Olmsted, Sr., to Partners.

We are now on our way down the river in a
roomy boat, and having had a hard steady rain nearly all
day, are resting at George and Dragon hotel.

A most capital school is found on the Thames banks
for the study of what we want at Chicago in the Lagoon banks.
My most important observation is that at rare intervals
long lines of low willows are found of even height and
altogether monotonous character, being of the same tint, and
an even texture, and that under these circumstances a willow
margin is most disagreeable. Generally the willow margin,
even where it is low and is continuous for perhaps a mile of
the same species is attractive and interesting, being in one
way or another greatly varied. As we are liable in places
to something near a similar monotony of low willow margins,
I have noted several ways in which an agreeable variety
generally is found even where there are continuous willows,
either immediately on the bank or a few yards, at most, back.
First, variety is obtained by a series of willows of older and
larger growth breaking in upon a series of younger and smaller
(It often looks as if adjoining small proprietors had at
different intervals cut the willows to the ground each on his
own property, so that thickets of different ages occur in
succession). Second, because of variations in the elevation
of the banks, and the effect of inroads of the river and the
caving of the banks irregularly, the willows being lower in the
recesses, third, by the apparent forming of a new bank in
front of an old willow-grown one, and a young growth upon the
new bank, often of some other foliage than those of willows.
Fourth, the willows sometimes grow in the water and form protruding
banks of foliage in contact with the water and rising
from it. Again, they sometimes are found growing only on the
upper parts of higher banks and they thus sometimes overhang
reedy plants growing in shoal water at the base of these
banks. Often the willows are seen behind and over and
partly mixing with plants growing on broad, water-covered shoals
before them, these plants being in patches of different tints,
dark bull rushes, alternating with light flags and reeds.
(The common bullrush of the Thames (or what I call so, is larger
and perhaps darker than the kind we have been planting, also
among the flags and rushes there are sometimes broad-leafed
low plants, so that by different dispositions of these plants
the water growth where it appears below the willows is constantly
varying considerably in composition. In at least one
case, we saw a considerable plantation that must have been 
artificial, of the rhubarb-like plants that we described as
having been seen in Jersey. Fifth, sometimes it appears that
high banks upon which willows were before growing uprightly,
have been undermined and the willows have grown out in masses
horizontally or nearly so, and become fixed and grown strong-4-
 
F.L.O. to Partners, July 17, 1892.

in that position. Then, deep shaded places and dark water
under them. Sixth, rarely other shrubs and young trees mingle
with the willows. This, however, only while the willows are
yet very small. Later the willows seem to have smothered everything 
else in company. With small willows, alders, elders,
brambles are often mixed. Where a mixture of foliage  occurs
with larger willow bushes it is generally of some creeper, such
as clematis. The low willow banks are sometimes all but
hidden by an overgrowth of convolvulus. The effect is often 
very agreeable when the creepers hang pendant from outer horizontal
growths of willow. Seventh, herbaceous plants have sometimes
got possession of the lower part of slopes and are seen 
between water plants and the thickets of willows. Eighth, steep
banks that have lately been caving probably, and from which
willows may be been washed away, are sometimes fine with low
water plants with sagifarias, sedges and water grasses creeping
up their lower parts irregularly and mingling with daisies, clover,
wild carrot, poppies, beans and convolvulus, woody thickets 
growing out of the upper part of the bank and more or less
mingling with and overhanging them.

Where the overhanging thicket of willows spreads well
out and densely, I think the good effect could be produced next
year by planting thickly many small cuttings of silver-poplar
(Abele) which would soon produce a low, shaded, obscure silvery
undergrowth darkly shaded.

In these and other ways we can surely yet relieve ourselves 
of all changes that you may now see of too monotonous a 
growth of willows along the shores. We shall have a greater
variety of sorts; of forms and of colors, than appear in willows
on the Thames, lighter and darker, more or less spreading and 
more or less dense, pliant, stiff and delicate. As to form 
the only disagreeable  phase of the willow margin of the Thames
that I have observed, other than monotony, is that an irregular,
young, upright, spindling growth is thrust above the general
mass. If anything like this now appears, it can be remedied by
shortening this fall.

I think that we must in some places bend willows down
and hold them by wires to pegs or weights suspended in the water,
apart, so as to secure deep shaded dark edges at these places.

The larger part of the banks of the Upper Thames that 
we have seen are willow-bordered; chiefly, but not always, the
willows are several times larger than ours will be. They
are very beautiful and we do not get tired of them, and the 
principles of their beauty and interest will mainly apply
-5-
F.L.O. to Partners, July 17, 1892

to our conditions. There are, of course, other banks and 
other combinations of foliage other than I have named, but 
as to such we less need lessons. I have not mentioned that we
saw considerable bodies of Heracleum, which I suppose to have
been planted, as well as the Rhubarb. Of flowering plants it
appeared to me that the most common of those conspicuous was a 
Spiraea, meadowsweet, then poppies and daisies and a rush and
a great many that I do not know. But the commonest was
morning glory and we cannot have too much of it. Hawthorn, I
need hardly say is abundant; so are brambles and with good
effect. I hope that you have large quantities of hope and that
other biennial, I have advised, well advanced and are preparing
quantities of Nadiera vine tubers. Also of rubies odorous for
well shaded banks. You will see that I have more than ever
confidence in what the willows will do for us, because of what I
have seen on the Thames. But as one size of willows will be more
uniform we must use every expedient we can to gain vivacity,
variety and interest. Do our best we shall not attain to the 
prettiest and most interesting effects of the Thames for these
result from openings of the low banks where there are estuaries
of little streams and runlets. Looking up these one may see
low growths, mainly but not wholly aquatic, reaching far
away and becoming more and more absence and mysterious in perspectives,
fading and darkening under dense covered tunnels of
over-arching tree foliage. This is so fine and poetically
suggestive that though we cannot nearly approach what is to be
found on the Thames, we must try to acommplish some small measure
of effect in the same direction, which we can, perhaps, do by
cutting deep bays in broad masses of foliage, especially to
where there are sufficient recesses of the shore to suggest
the possibility of hidden streamlets, inlets or baylets. Also
by pushing out narrow masses of foliage in nearly parallel
lines, diagonal to the general trend of the shore with
vacancies between them, the landward ends of these vacancies
running into obscurity. We have tried to do something in
this way on the west and south sides of the island. I wish
that we had carried our attempts further and had more aimed at
such effects elsewhere. We thought that it would be too expensive,
but I now think the necessary outlay would have been
economical. Wherever we have narrow waterways opening from
broader, as where the bridge stands near the Illinois State 
Building, let us get in all the outstretching and overarching
foliage that we can. Let us, also, as much as possible, train
out creepers, and branches of trees, upon bridges, pulling down
and nailing the branches, aiming to obtain shade and reflection
of foliage and broken obscuration of water. I would root out
lilies and other water plants, using them elsewhere, letting
the deep shade come upon clear water, or mainly so. It is
most important to secure broad shady margins here and there; to-6-

make roofs of dense foliage over still water. To be more sure
of this and to carry it at points further than we otherwise
can, especially on the sides and at the end of bays, which
observers cannot look at very closely, let roofs of lath, wire
or splints, or boughs and "rustic work" be built over water,
and branches lashed down upon them and creepers trained over
them. Passages of very dark and obscure water occasionally
along the shores cannot be too highly valued, or too much
ingenuity and pains used to surely obtain them in a strikingly
effective way.. Where nothing else will serve the purpose,
trellises of wire net, set in a half cylindrical form, to be
covered with morning glory, Madeira vine, grown in pots and
brought well forward under glass early in the spring will soon
produce the result required. Fine wire that cannot be seen
can be used, and supported, if necessary by props. This, I
mean, where the covering plants will not be fully grown over the
wire at the spring opening of the Fair. But, again, "set
pieces" for the purpose can be prepared and kept until spring
under glass; that is to say, troughs of horse shoe, ground
plan (horse shoes produced) can be made (the opposite troughs
tied by joists at bottom, which joists would be under water) a
brood of wire work spanning the space between them. This could
be done at once and rooted willows or grape vines set in the
troughs and trained over the wire, or Madeira vine can be grown
over it during the winter (under glass) and the whole piece
set in a prepared place, with flankings and outworks of willows
etc, already grown. I believe that I have suggested something
of this sort before, but what I have seen on the Thames makes me
the more anxious that we should be liberal in the use of such
theatrical expedients. Nothing is so effective in water-bordering
foliage as deep darkening coves. I long ago felt
this when in a tropical river. Now, my impression is revived and
strengthened, and I see that willows and morning glories can be
made to serve something approaching the same results as those I
have seen produced in palms and bananas and their natural
smaller associates.

The following are named in Dicken's Dictionary of the
Thames, among the common plants, of the upper Thames, banks,
marshes and waters.

[names not checked]

Lythrum salicuria
Lysimachia vulgaris
Thalictrum flavum
Oenanthe crocata
Spiraea ulmaria
Iris pseudacoris

Sium latifolium
Acorus latamus
Butomus umbellatus
Cardamine amara
Villarsia nymphoides-7-

Leucojum estivum
Fruttilaria meleagros
Geranium frutense
Opnioglossu, vulgatum
Stellaria glauca
Impatiens fubra
Sinaria cymbalaria
Omithogalum umbel
Salvia bubenaca

Holtonia paenstris
Atropa lulladonna
Campanula gomerata
Pedicularis palustris
Hydrocharis mosusranae
Saxifraga granulata
Polyganum bistorta
Melissa officinalis
Scilla autumnalis

The beauty of Burnham, of Windsor Park and others
we saw, near the river, lay a good deal in large patches of
braken. Ferny passages here and there along the shores will
be valuable. Passages, I say, meaning not a mere scattering of
them. Care must be taken to avoid much use of plants that will
grow rusty and faded toward the end of the summer.

But the main body must be with us as it is on the
Thames one of willows, cat-tails, flags, rushes, irises,
morning glories and water lilies; others being used to
prevent sameness and as decorative garnishings.

Of course we have seen numbers of water-side
lawns and gardens. Most of them are ruined by bedding plants
and fussy decorations. And again and again I am led o distrust
detached beds or strips of flowering or foliage plants
within lawn-like spaces.  Every one that we have seen has been
out of place, impertinent, offensive to the genius loci, misplaced,
tawdry, vulgar finery.  On the other we have seen many
cases in which flowering plants have been used with fine
effect as an irregular and semi-natural fringe, prettily
intermingled with rich banks of shrubbery and vines along
the base of walls and fences; of shrubs and under these circumstances,
generally before and under larger evergreens, laurels
and rhododendrons, Berberis mahonia is about the best.
We should import, if necessary, thousands of it next fall.
Thousands, also, of small plants, of hawthorn.

The density and luxuriance of vegetation on the
Thames banks is remarkable. Close planting in rich soil
with abundant watering will give us the like quality.

The use of pot plants, and of all sorts of window
gardens here is remarkable.  You may pass twenty small
dwellings and shops in a village street, every window of
every one of which will be richly decorated in this way. It is
wonderfully and charmingly festive and in perfectly good taste
for festive effect.  We must do what we can to educate our
people in the practice, but may it not be recommended to
householders for the street decoration of the city and the 
florists be advised to meet a demand in this respect.-8-

F. L. O. to Partners, July 17, 1892

Two other suggestions occur to me and which I will
here offer as possibly worth thinking out. First, the enormous
desire of people to write out or cut their names in places
of celebrity is met at the top of the Eiffel tower by a
warning that it must be restrained and by the offer of a
book in which visitors are asked to record their names, with
the assurance that they will be published. Several such
records could be made at Chicago, one, for instance, at the
Woman's Building would probably be gratifying to the women.
Second, to meet the maniacal propensity to carry away mementoes
or "relics" an assortment of articles of various values, mainly
very small should be offered. (Possibly some little token in
pottery or terracotta could be given away). Among such
articles (in order to check the disposition to pluck at shrubs
and plants) great quantities of some simple flower, adapted to
be pressed in a book might be got ready to be sold for a cent
a piece, the cheapest; so that none would have reason to
complain. They could be supplied at pretty little shaded
 stands at many points in the grounds, which would help to
furnish various points decoratively. Of course, if this is
to be done, large preparation should be made soon. It should
not be money making. Further, I suggest that a good permanent
form of memento would be a seedling tree sold in a cheap pot or
basket of soil, a tree or bush or vine to be taken home by the
purchaser and planted at his home. Potted pines or elms or
vines or roses, six inches high, set in a small strawberry
basket or a paper or splint cup, or an earthen thumb pot, with a
a loop by which a woman could carry it on her arm, with printed
directions what to do with it, could be sold with profit for a
dime. But it would almost pay to give such things away, such
is the demand for "relics", and so popular would the arrangement
be.

I have not mentioned above that at various points on
the Thames, as in all shallow still, fresh waters, almost that
we have seen in England and in France, the pretty little
water ranunculus abounds, and is valuable. I, also, forgot,
when speaking of expedients for making the shores at certain
points more intricate to renew the suggestions that not only the
effect of bays and coves of foliage might be obtained, but, also
of projections by boxes of soil and plants, the boxes being sunk
and fastened so that only the vegetation growing in them would
be visible. 



-9-

Chislehurst, 24th July, 1892

F. L. O. to Partners

Friday, we drove to Dropmore and Burnham Beeches in
the morning. Both most instructive and delightful. I shall
send Rick back to study them more deliberately. Dropmore
surprised me very much. It is so comparatively wild. It
comes near to being a model of what we want in the Arboretum
at Biltmore; I mean in general effect. Our plan will be
much more complete and valuable.

In the afternoon rowed down to Windsor stopping
and examining certain matters along the shores. Drove
before dark through the Park to an inn on Virginia Water, most
of following day in the Park and Forest, the great new parterre
of the Castle, etc. Then by trains to Chiselhurst in the
evening. It was an over-hard day's work and left me sleepless
for the night. The night before I left for the Thames trip
I was sleepless, but the doctor advised me to go, and after
every day that I have been afloat, I have slept well and
naturally, taking nothing of what the doctor gave me. This is
significant and the more significant, for yesterday's
experience. I shall be quiet today and hope to sleep
tonight, in which case I expect to go to London and begin some
of my business preparatory to going North.

I find here letters from  Phil and John of third and
fifth July. Nothing about Chicago. Rick stayed in town
today and I have not opened letters addressed to him.
About nearly everything else they bring me up. I don't know
whether Harry went to Montreal. I am sorry for the mishaps
at Goelet's and the Brookline Parkway, also for the formalizing
of the thatched roof. I am a little afraid that judicious
advance is not being made with the Biltmore plan. But on the
whole I should think affairs were advancing fairly well and I
feel relieved. Henry Perkins is absent on mining business,
going to Berlin and Vienna for professional consultations and
examinations.-10-

F. L. O. to Partners, 24th July, 1892.

When you and I and Harry were talking with
Burnham and Geraldine about the Police, it was said that they
were to wear blouses, and I expressed satisfaction; only
adding that I hoped that great care would be taken to have a
good close-fitting standing collar. It has occured to me since
that in the army an abominable affair which is neither a
coat nor a blouse, and that possibly something of that kind,
was meant. I would rather the police went in their shirt
sleeves. What I had in mind was the Burnside blouse, so
called in 1861. The Rhode Island Regiments all wore it, and
no other appeared as well. Perhaps a regular officer, if he is
a Martinet and has miraculous sargents, if the men are given
waist belts and furnished with two white collars per diem,
may after a time, by constant, close, West Point inspection,
make them appear decently, in something like the army blouse
but the inspection and the discipline must be vastly superior
to that of any police force in the United States at present.

The men in charge of the electric launches are dressed
as non-commissioned officers in the Navy, that is, the
best of them are.

Rick has come down and says that there is nothing
about Chicago in his letter.

I am disappointed to get no word of a change of
classification admitting landscape design as a division of
Fine Arts. You say nothing about it. I mean to call this 
week on Milner, Robinson and Miss  ----. What am I to
say to them about it? We could make an exhibition in some
important respects so instructive and argumentative that I shall
be very sorry if we are not allowed to. With reference to
the Bloomfield, Robinson contention, for example, what can be
more effective for showing how wrong both contestants are, than
a photograph of the Capitol as it was (which we have) and one
to be taken this summer with the terrace and the foliage as it
now is, all the work of Landscape Architects. Then there is
White's house with the terrace of our design, Central Park
as the ground stood originally and with the Mall, the formal
Mall with trees of thirty year's growth, all would be opportune
and would be an answer to the erroneous assumptions both of
Robinson and of Sedding and Bloomfield and the movement they
represent, a movement which is setting in strong to a ridiculous
and wholly inartistic co-mixture of formal and naturalistic
gardening. You can hardly imagine what absurd work they
are doing here. I should want to add a good drawing of what
you have designed, not what has been accepted, for the Geolet
place, with photographs of the outlook. Perhaps the Coolidge
place would come in as another, and, again with the White
place I would have a view outward making the parapet of the
terrace and the pot plants on it, the foreground.

I slept well last night. This is Monday morning the 


-10-

F. L. O. to Partners, 24th July, 1892.

25th July, in spite of some neuralgia. It is horrid cold
here; I am wearing all my thick winter clothes under and
outer and want to have a fire in my room.VI - WF                               B
Chislehurst, 30th July, 1892.

F. L. O. Sr., to Harry Codman.
          I do not suppose that vegetation will have been much
discouraged on the whole at Chicago. The water plants will 
probably be the better for the heat and by this time the watering
apparatus will be generally available to keep turf
alive. The expansive work of iron will have been well tried.
The reports, which are sensational, will be apt to discourage
the idea of coming to America next year, though in fact, the
chances of a cool summer are increased. The papers have
nothing from Chicago. It seems as if there was a conspiracy
to exclude information about the progress of the Fair, and
since your last letter, more than a month ago, not a word
about it, except of the indecisive action in Congress.
Neither John nor Phil so much as mention Chicago, though the
scheme must have been at the crisis of its development.
I infer that all goes well, but not without much trial to you.

{{page break}}

VI - Y J. F. Chicago               B

-34-
F. L. O. to Partners, July, 1892.

          I was greatly relieved and comforted by Harry's letter
chiefly about Chicago, of 21st June, received about a week ago,
I have no need to comment upon it. The main questions shead are
chiefly mechanical, so to speak, as that of dredging and preserving
the banks, and of ornamental gardening, as to which I expressed
I think, in my last note, my leading thought, to wit, that the
fashion here is altogether bad and that safety lies in simplicity
and reserve, for the most part. The less we have of detached
flower beds, the better. I have hardly seen anything yet of
that kind that did not seem to me childish, vulgar, flaunting,
or impertinent, out of place and discordant with good scheme
effect. Only in banks, masses and trimming, fringe-like or
garnish-like, against, under and distantly auxilliary, subordinate
and supplementive to, architectural features, have I seen
any of the floral or modern style of decorative gardening that
was not offensive to me. I distrust even our intended gay
trimmings along the parallel ground of the grand court, as far 
as I had ideas of what they were to be. But giving a good
deal of latitude within certain fixed reserved limits to Ulrich,
with the aid of Millet, in determining these limits, and
several principles as to color, I am sure you will have respectable
results. Of course I am personally weak on this side
of the affair and therefore timid and undetermined. Otherwise,
I am more than ever inclined to use a good deal of minor sub-
monumental material, all through the grounds, whenever it can
be supplemental or brought into more or less distant relationship
with architectural lines and masses. I mean vases and
pyramidal shrubs and young trees. Irish yews, golden yews,
thuyas and Swedish Junipers, Lombardy poplars and other
fastigiate, deciduous trees, all which may be largely imported,
and after use, probably sell well. I should add hollies but
fear they would not come out well after transportation the first
year. About all this class of objects there can be a decorative
mat if desirable, perfectly formal, of ground vegetation, as
there may be, suggested above, along the bases of all more fully
architectural structures, terraces, pavillions and buildings.
It was in such a situation, I think, that Ulrich seemed to have
been most successful at Monteray. I still think feasible and
desirable, the contrivance of tower-like features, objects
with sides pierced and galleries and cornices, out from which
willow foliage and other, as of hops, Maderia vine, morning
glory, yuccas, etc., would grow nearly clothing them, emphasizing
and decorating lightly the essential architectural outlines and
features.-4-

F. L. O. to Partners, July, 1892.

One of the few new things we have come upon is a
contrivance for giving people seats where they may find
shelter from winds as well as rains, by means of glass
screens. Phil will tell you how these were formed in
several French railway station platforms. Here they
are found of various forms in public gardens, the little 
gardens formed on old burial ground sites, the glass
part being in plan sometimes no more than this:
(the dark lines being glazed above the height of armed seats
at the center) so that old people and weakly children may sit
always on one side or another protected from every wind.
In some of the railway stations there are simply glazed
boxes with seats in the middle thus:-  high glass
screens on all sides. The arrangement leaves all on the
seats exposed to view as much as if there was no protection
against the wind. The only cloud I see now on the
Exposition is the Cholera. The accounts from Russia, and from
Paris this morning are alarming. In Paris the acute cholera,
the forerunning bowel-complaint, which I remember of old, seems
to be raging and the authorities show their alarm by efforts
to hide and misrepresent it.[Slynn?] [Gwan?], 1st Aug. 1892

Dear Harvey,
These cuts may give a hint 
for a variety of sheltered seats for 
Chicago, to be formed of light woodwork 
& pretty awning canvas.  
Such things are now much in 
vogue here and for indoor as 
well as out-door use.  They are 
made to fit corners of rooms, of 
delicate woodwork covered with 
chintz or crétonne.  They could be 
made with a little more substantial 
wood frame work & perhaps 
Chinese or Alaska matting
(which last is of good colour) to fit

[*Strong bamboo?*]not be necessary [[sketch]] or the 
canvass roof could be stretched
to fit a hickory bow. [[sketch]]
On curved walks the awning cd be 
carried across the walk. 
Vine covered trellis work [[sketch]]
wd, of course, be better if we had more 
time.    It is a possible hint, You
must have had a  realizing since of the
need of frequent shady places last 
week. The reports from Chic. are 
[?]. F.L.O.

all sorts of places at Chicago -
to be set fitting curves of [[illegible]]
as well as angles.  In lack of 
suitable adequate foliage they 
wd serve often the good purpose 
of limiting the weir along a curving
walk, keeping interest
alive and making bare spaces
of gravel or concrete less conspicuous.
Made with this 
ground plan, with the [[sketch]]
awning stretching out to a
post at a , the seats would 
be shaded most of the day, 
Facing north, even that wd   On chief political misfortunes - local
& special legislation, inefficient executives, peculatum
and indirect bribery, log-rolling and
demagoguism, are either experienced in a
greater degree [the] in all the British Colonies & in all new countries or
exemption from them is [purc] had at the expense
of enterprise, industry, loyalty &
virtue of the people. In [all] the Australian
colonies there is a constant swinging of government
[fo] formed and from the American standards
as the evils of one or the other systems became
alternately [more or] remarkable. The
general tendency is toward our system, as the
[desire, need to lead is] need to induce
[transposition of] the people to cooperate with government,
on the one hand and to help themselves
on the other, is seen to be the [great need of] most
important of [all the] the controllable conditions of the permanent prosperity
of the colonies. [There is no] and as the impossibility
of coping with the great dangers of
the colony, except by [cultivating in] encouraging the personally  independent
and socially republican tendencies of the colonists
is realized. There is no special misfortune of [point for instance in which]
the Australian colonies [differ [?]] for instance
at this time greater than the inefficiency of theirSpecial Warrant of Appointm[ent]
[H].R.H. THE PRINCE OF WA[LES] 
PATENT
FRESCO" GARDEN SE
ND "SNUG CORNERS," 
NVENTED BY, AND OBTAINABLE ONLY FROM

HEELAS, SONS, & CO'S
FRESCO" GARDEN SE
TESTIMONIALS.
"DOLLIS HILL, KILBURN, N.W., July 25
[EAR]L and COUNTESS OF ABERDEEN wish to let Mes
very pleased they are with the 'Al Fresco S
ly last week. 
end a similar Seat with Waterproof Cover and 
'with Lord and Lady Aberdeen's compliments.'
another as soon as possible to 
"The EARL OF ABERDEEN, Haddo Hou[se]
5 feet long." "Udny Station, 
Esq.--"You will no doubt be glad to hea
Garden Seat which you recently supplied to me ha
tion indeed. It has been greatly admired by a 
only for the luxurious accommodation it provi
portability."
R. C. bas much pleasure in stating that the 'W
actory in every way and she is very please witVI
WF
[pictures of boats]

F.L. OLMSTED & CO. 
Rec'd AUG 4 1892
[?]d .....................
Ans'd ..................Chislehurst, 6th Aug. 1892.

F. L. Olmsted, Sr. to J. C. Olmsted

Dear John:
          I called one day last week at the office of
Engineering to see Mr. Dredge and found Mr. Baker with him.
He had arrived but a few minutes before me from Liverpool in a 
quick passage from Chicago. Both Dredge and I tried to get 
something from him as to the actual condition of affairs
there but he was so bent on booming that really we obtained
no valuable information. He said in answer to Dredge. "We
are well up with our work in every department except Codman's.
That is badly behind, chiefly because of dealys caused by underground
operations and the necessity of occupying the ground
with building materials and roads for handling them". Afterward
he praised Ulrich for his activity and industry. As to the 
Bill before Congress to provide $5,000,00 he said:
"Don't be in the least concerned. We are not dependent on
Congress. If it fails to give us the money, we can get all we
want in Chicago easily enough and soon". But he spoke
enthusiastically of his own work; said that even on the 4th
of July he was talking with people all day. He had never worked
so hard for his private business. Was quite worn out, and had
come abroad to have a rest. He makes the same impression on me
that Davis has: that he thinks that the work of his office
is chiefly that of booming by personal eloquence in conversation.
Of course I know that it cannot be so, but his manner and
methods of presenting himself in private, is unfortunate,
as is Davis's in my experience. After a little I gave up
questioning him, and know nothing more than I did before
except the fact of his personal confidence and satisfaction
in the present situation. I should not think that he was
likely to help matters much here. Dredge seemed to care more
for the Horticultural Department than anything else; admired
the building and hoped there would be a display of plants
worthy of it. Asked if I could not get Lord Salisbury to 
send out his orchids. Asked if the gentlemen in charge of
that Department were fully qualified and were well advanced
with their work, etc. to which I replied, cautiously and
Baker boomed. But I think a strong effort should be made to
secure a good orchid display from Corning, Ames and others. I 
have had a pleasant interview with Milner, who seems a nice
fellow in every way. I was very sorry that I could say nothing
to him about action of classification committee and wonder why
Harry has reported nothing on that subject. I think Milner will
do anything we think best for the profession. He makes the 
highest claims for L. G. as a fine art. If we can do nothing
in the official exposition, can we not have a display in the
office of the L. A. or some other place, semi-official, and with-

{{page break}}

-2-

F. L. O. Sr., to J. C. O. 6th Aug. 1892.

out looking of official     cognizance, to awards or honorable mention?
Milner and, no doubt, Andre would join us in a protest
against the existing prepared classification, and help us to
make a considerable exhibition. But for this purpose we
should take the earliest action possible, so that photographs
of actual works could be taken before foliage dwindles.
Miss Wilkinson appears to be out of town, as are most of
the people I try to see. If I find her, I shall ask her for
drawings to be placed in the Woman's building, but with
authority to transfer them to any Exhibition of Landscape
Architects that may be determined on. Milner intimated
that she may not be a Landscape Gardener, merely a 
gardener. In fact unless Milner does it, I doubt if there is
any landscape work done here.
          I expect to go with Robinson to his place day
after tomorrow, and immediately upon returning to start for
Oxford and Warwick. I don't make definite plans for I cannot
depend on my ability to do any thing on any particular
day ahead.OFFICE OF
D. H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION,
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO.

F. L. OLMSTED & CO.,
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

October 7th, 1892.

Mr. R. Ulrich,
Sup't Landscape Department,
World's Columbian Exposition.

Dear Sir:--

In a letter to you of March, 1891, we gave our general
views of the treatment of the Lagoons. In November following we
wrote you further on the same subject, quoting the opening observations
of our first letter in order to keep in mind the original
leading purposes of the work as a basis of further consideration
of the subject. For the same reason we again repeat these preliminary
observations here.

"As far as it is possible, between the present time and
May, 1893, the Lagoon must be made to look like a natural bayou,
secluded, shallow and placid, without suggestion of stagnancy, or
of any form of foulness or unhealthfulness. Its low, sterile,
sandy shores must be given a rich, affluent, picturesque aspect,
in striking contrast alike with that of the present ground; of the
shores of the great Lake; of the margins of the Basin in the great
Court, and with the bare and prosaic shores of the existing ponds
in Jackson and Washington Parks.

The desired result in this respect is to be accomplished
largely by securing dense growths of varied herbaceous, aquatic
vegetation along the shore, rooted partly above and partly below
the surface of the water, forming a general effect of almost
tropical luxuriance. For this we must look to liberal manuring
and watering, as well as to a suitable selection of plants.

The best of the few poor trees now growing on the Island
are to be retained and, if possible, forced by enrichment of the
soil into making a finer show of foliage. Between them and the
water-plants, bushes and young trees are to be introduced, so as
to make the Island from the East appear a broad, continuous,
close bank of verdure.

Nearly everywhere else, except where formal terraces are to
be formed near the shore, three main objects are to be had in
view in the Lagoon planting:

First, to make an agreeable low foreground over which the
great buildings of the Exposition will rise, gaining in grandeur
of effect upon the imanination because, being thus made to appear
at a greater distance, and more lofty than they would but for such
a foreground. OFFICE OF
D. H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION,
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO.

F. L. OLMSTED & CO.,
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

R. U. -2-
          Second, to establish a considerable extent of broad and
apparently natural scenery, in contemplation of which a degree
of quieting influence will be had, counteractive to the effect
of the artificial grandeur and the crowds, pomp, splendor and
bustle of the rest of the Exposition.
          Third, without losing a general unity and continuity of
character in the shores, to secure whatever time, with all possible
exercise of skill for the purpose, will allow, of mysterious poetic
effect, through the mingling intricately together of many forms of
foliage, the alternation and complicated crossing of salient
leaves and stalks of varying green tints in high lights with other
leaves and stalks, behind and under them, which others will be more
shaded and less defined, although partly illumined by light reflected
from the water. So far as consistent with this last
purpose of obscure and subdued poetic beauty through the intricate
conjunction of various forms of luxuriant and crowding vegetation
and complex dispositions of light and shade, it is intended that
the shores shall be given, in some degree, a gay and festive
aspect by means of flowers. But it is not desired that there
should anywhere appear to be a display of flowers demanding attention
as such. Rather the flowers to be used for the purpose should
have the effect of flecks and glimmers of bright color imperfectly
breaking through the general greenery. Anything approaching a gorgeous,
garish or gaudy display of flowers is to be avoided. It will
be easier to accomplish what is thus to be aimed at, even if
flowers should be used profusely, because, to the great body of
visitors, the lagoon plantations will be seen only from a distance,
and from a nearly horizontal point of view. Boats will be prevented
from closely approaching the plantation.
          While the greater number of plants to be used will be such
as are indigenous to the river banks and swamps of Northern
Illinois, and therefore hardy, in order to increase intricacy and
richness of general effect, many are to be scattered among them
which a botanist, looking closely, would know could not have grown
naturally in the locality. The work is thus to be in some degree
of the character of a theatrical scene, to occupy the Exposition
stage for a single summer. But it is not intended that the
slightly exotic forms of verdure to be thus used shall call, any
more than the flowers, for individual notice. Rather, seen, as they
will generally be, at some distance, they will merge indistinguishably
into other forms of verdure, and not suggest a question as to
what they are, or how they have come to be where they are.
         The line at which the water meets the shore is intended
hardly ever to be seen, being obscured by acquatic plants growing
above and below it."
          In the operations since carried on under your direction
the progress made has, on the whole, more than met our expectations,
and you are to be congratulated on your success.OFFICE OF 
D. H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION,
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO.

F. L. OLMSTED & CO.,
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

R. U. -3-
The assignment of parts of the Island for objects not anticipated when our former letters were written; the operation of steam dredges causing a loss of certain elements of your planting and a thinning at points of the acquatic margin; these with other circumstances for which you are not responsible, have somewhat modified the original conditions of the planting problem of the Island.
Reviewing the work and its present stage, we have to make the following observations as to what appears to us desirable in further advancing it.
1st. It is desirable that different parts of the aquatic margin, (everywhere necessary to protect the banks) should be given, as much as possible, each a distinctive character. At one place, for example, for a distance of several rods, the margin should be made as thin and low as it can be with safety. The higher growing acquatic plants can, at these places, be rooted out, leaving only the lower rushes and marsh grasses. In special cases pegs may be driven thickly or logs and branches of trees pinned down just under the surface, to make the protection of the shore more complete.
Whenever it is practicable to do so this low narrow margin of acquatic plants should be completely hidden by bushes and creepers planted behind it. The bushes may be set diagonally to overhang the shore and bent, trained, pegged and wired down to cover the acquatic plants. Where this cannot be done, branches of bushes may sometimes be made to appear pushing through the rushy plants and partly obscuring them. Large quantities of creeping annuals such as OFFICE OF
D. H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION,
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO.

F. L. OLMSTED & CO.,
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.
R. U. -4-
morning glory may also be raised in rich banks, or tubs behind them, 
and so trained as to grow over and through them, partly screening 
them on the water side.
On the other hand wherever it is practicable the margin 
of acquatic plants should, for a few rods, be made broader than it 
now is so as to bear the appearance of a stretch of marsh. This 
can sometimes be done by taking out bushes on the land side, and 
either by making pools or bays in which acquatic plants in the 
place of these bushes will grow, or by substituting for the bushes 
plants, such as Eulalia, the general appearance of which will be 
more like that of marsh plants.
The water side of the margin of acquatic plants may in 
some places be broken with little indentations, and detached patches 
of water plants may be set out in front of the present edge, either 
in the bottom where the water is not too deep or, where it is too 
deep, in tubs, boxes or barrels of soil, the tops of which will be 
below the surface of the water when at its lowest.
Where there are bays of water with marshy edges, the heads 
of these bays are to disappear as much as possible behind bushes 
and high boggy plants, so that, to the imagination, they will seem 
to extend further inland than they actually do. Sometime bays of 
water may be made actually larger than they now are by digging
 indentations back from present shores. Such indentations may be 
very shallow.
The acquatic rush-like margin is to be broken also at 
irregular intervals by the introduction on the water side ofOFFICE OF
D. H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION,
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO.

F. L. OLMSTED & CO.,
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

R. U. -5-
broad leaved plants, such as Sagittaria and Skunks Cabbage, in 
patches of various length and depth. Plants of the same class 
are to be introduced largely in marshy places, especially on the 
edges of marshy islands.
2nd. Many trees and shrubs need to be introduced with 
the object of connecting and merging together the low plantations 
along the shore with the higher foliage at some short distance 
behind them, so that both will be brought together in one consistent 
mass.
3rd. The aim being to make the whole Island appear, from 
the opposite shores, to be either marsh or covered with trees, bushes
 and plants growing naturally, additional masses of shrubs are needed 
at various points to conceal, or at least make more obscure, the 
plainly artificial plantations and other objects which it has been 
determined to places on the higher interior ground.
4th. It is desirable everywhere to gain an appearance 
of more connected, massive, quieter and harmonious large bodies of 
foliage. This is to be accomplished either by shortening in such 
trees as are now of stiff broom-like forms, or that stand out conspicuously 
as individuals, so as to force a lower and more compact 
growth, completely covering the trunks and branches; or by planting 
additional trees that will fill vacancies and the foliage of whichOFFICE OF 
D. H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION, 
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO.

F. L. OLMSTED & CO.,
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

R. U. -6-
will unite and bring into one large mass of branches of foliage which 
are now detached. Trees with thin and straggling tops are also 
to be shortened in, especially where they stand up so as to break 
upon what would otherwise appear to people in boats, a long flowing 
sky-line of foliage. Some long-stemmed trees now standing too 
near the water may be set further back with advantage and trees 
with lower masses of foliage put in their place. 
Wherever it is impracticable in this or some other way 
to hide bare tree trunks and branches, or trees and bushes of thin 
scattered tufty foliage, vines and creepers are to be as much as 
possible grown through them, the soil for these being made very 
rich. 
5th: Bushes and trees on low marshy Islands and points 
are to be much shortened (generally to within a foot of the ground) , 
so that their new growth next summer will not rise much above the 
level of the adjoining marsh plants. 
There will be given you herewith a map of the Island and 
a memorandum with letters corresponding with letters on the map. 
This memorandum will furnish you with more exact indications of the 
manner in which at various points the general directions above given
 may be carried out. You are not expected, of course, to confine 
your operations to the points suggested by this memorandum, nor are 
you to be held strictly to them all particulars as, doubtless, 
with more careful study on the ground, you will be able to make manyOFFICE OF
D. H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION,
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO.

F. L. OLMSTED & CO., 
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

R. U. -7-

improvements in detail. VI
WF

October 7th, 1892.

Dear Mr. Stiles:
As to the matter of your note to Mr. Codman, there is a circumstance or condition to be taken into account which it is not easy even for those directly handling affairs here to keep as fixedly and clearly in mind as is desirable. It must be extremely difficult for you and all outsiders to do so. It is this: that our instructions from the outset have required us to consider what we were to make here as a Camp to be occupied for a brief period in order that during that period a certain purpose for the time being may be well served. WE are held to that purpose. Our work is good or bad as it is adapted to serve that purpose. If other purposes are to be served fitness for such other purposes must occur incidentally if not accidentally. It is true that the Art Building is exceptionally substantial, but it is not so because the Art Building was required to be fitted to more distant and lasting ends than the other structures,  but for a reason similar to that which would operate in the planning of a powder magazine in the Military Camp; namely: the special importance of securing its intended contents from fire or other accidents. In other buildings must less importance was to be given this consideration. No valuable pictures would have been set to a building not exceptionally secure from injury by fire, tornadoes, mobs and earthquakes. 
For such structures as the terraces and other retaining walls, quays and wharves the aim has been to expend no more than was necessary to fit them to serve their purposes barely to the end of the period of the Exposition, and so nicely has this point been kept in view that it is not expected that the structures will everywhere fulfil the condition except by occasional shoring, reinforcements, and repairs at certain points; these points being where it has been foreseen that expedients for the purpose can be used without marring the general effect. Such repairs and reinforcements are even now being made. 
Take due account of this "Camp" condition of the problem and of its necessary results and then give a little thought to this other circumstance. Growing more or less indirectly and remotely but surely out of the frontier conditions of life from and through which our present race of Americans has been developed, there is no peculiarity of our national character more marked than that of its propensity to try to make things answer purposes for which they have not been designed, and to which -2-    Stiles.                          7th October, 1892.

they are but imperfectly adapted; the make-shift propensity.
The propensity which is expressed in the
phrase "I guess we can manage to make it do". All that
is distinctive in the American variety of the Philistinism
has its root in this propensity. And naturally the work 
here had not fairly begun under such instructions as I 
have stated, before all Philistia was hotly engaged in
a hunt for arguments and excuses for trying to make use
of the temporary and expediential structures of the Exposition
as make-shifts for ends with regard to which
they were not designed and for which they are not, and
can, by no possibility, be, really well adapted.
   All the sounder and more mature civilized sense
of the Country should be engaged to contend with this
propensity; if it is not very good things are sure to
result in very bad things.
   To fully understand the situation you must further 
take into account the fact that much land speculation
is concerned and that if the lambs can be made to imagine
that these Exposition stage properties that we are making
are really what they seem to be and that they can
be retained as permanent improvements, the wolves will
be happier.
   What I have said of the temporary purpose to be
served by the structures in general applies to canals 
and basins more than to anything else. All the surface
staff is laid upon a wall of slender piling and planking
calculated to be barely strong enough to hold up the
banks for about a year. In five years not only will
the staff be peeling off and breaking up, as I saw last
April that it already was in the structures of the Paris
Exposition, but the timbers and planks will be springing 
out and giving way. In a little longer period natural
forces will warp, crack and crumble it, and acting on 
the timber beneath begin the work of establishing an
irregular meandering shore, wholly agreeable as the
ground work of water courses in a Park to be prepared
with natural motives, wholly unsuitable to anything like
formal and architectural gardening.
   Remember also that the apparent high grounds of the
Exposition are deceptive; mere ridges enclosing great
craters which are now covered by the buildings and terraces.
There is not one acre of ground now having an
architectural aspect upon which a piece of good permanent
architectural gardening work could be made, except by a 
great outlay for grading and great expense for the establishment 
of fixed and permanent architectural conditions.
Looking to the place as the site of a great
Public Park for Chicago, I do not think that it would cost

{{column break}}

-3-  Stiles.               7th October, 1892.

nearly as much to provide conditions of agreeable,
natural scenery, as to perpetuate in such conditions as 
those now to be seen on the grounds.

Yours faithfully,
Fredk Law Olmsted.VI WF M. 
OFFICE OF 
D.H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION, 
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, 
JACKSON PARK, 
CHICAGO

F.L. OLMSTED & CO., 
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS. 

October 8th, 1892. 
MEMORANDUM FOR PLANTING ISLAND, WITH REFERENCES TO MAP:
a. (South of Log Cabin) Bank needs dense masses of 
foliage back of aquatic margin and merging into it. 
b. Flat interior spaces of Islands now generally in 
turf should be filled up with Eulalia and grasses. There are now too
many small scattered bunches of different plants. Better bring
the scattered Eulalia and Tamarix closer together, or introduce
additional plants of each in connection with those already planted, 
making the masses of each larger. If practicable, also, the "tula"
border at points may be made broader. The Tamarix may be shortened 
in so as to make it broader and lower. 
c. Along these pieces of shore some small 
detached bodies of "tula" should be set ; perhaps in boxes sunk a few 
feet off the shore. 
d. Here (both sides of the East end of the the Bridge) the strip of "tula" should be kept low and a 
body of tree foliage formed to rise boldly from and overhand shore. 
e. Take our some of the low willows and try to make the 
marshy ground and water appear to extend further into the land. 
f. Reduce the "tula" and plant additional willows, so 
as to make the point bolder; the outer willows of this plantation
may be wired out so as to overhang the water, but the whole should
be a dense mass. 
g. Plant "tula", Eulalia and Tamarix at the head of the 
Bay. 
h. Same as at "f". Shorten in the high willows about 
three feet.OFFICE OF 
D.H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION, 
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, 
JACKSON PARK, 
CHICAGO. 

F. L. OLMSTED & CO., 
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS. 

(2)
i.  (Opposite South end of Horticultural Stairs)
Increase the "tula", plant Rhubarb, Tobacco, Ferns, Erianthus ravenae;
set low willows back of the tula among the Catalpa; set Sagittaria and water lilies on
the water side of the "tula"

k. (Opposite north end of Horticultural Stairs) Thicken
up the clump of trees here with low willows and creepers; shorten
in the trees; plant more bushes at the back and make the mass as
dense as possible.

l.  Take out some of the "tula" at head of both of the
Bays and set detached clumps in the water.  Aim to make the shore
irregular and intricate.  Between the Bays plant willows, taken
from the back part, in front; shorten them in and tie them down so
that they will cover the "tula". Some of your high-stemmed
Kilmarnock willows may be set in the rear of the willows so that
only their heads will be seen filling the spaces between the low
willows and the tree tops.  White Maples may be used for the same
purpose. More Alanthus may be introduced.

m.  Deepen the recess and fill  out the more advanced
shore.  Set the Catalpas nearer together so that they will form
one body.  The same with the Poplars near the shore.  Also with the
Alanthus. Crowd in flowering plants.  Shorten the tall Poplars.
Plant Nicotina, Morning Glory and other creepers.

n. Make the shore more broken by indentations and
planting in the water.  Plant more willows between the "tula" and
the higher  trees.  Get creepers on the high trees.OFFICE OF
D.H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION,
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO.

F. L OLMSTED & CO.,
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

(3)
o. Shorten in the Willows and plant more under them.
Get masses overhanging the water. Elsewhere set broad leaved
plants in tubs so that the leaves only will be seen above the "tula".
Try to make narrow recesses in the shore. Set willows back of
the "tula" between "n" and "o". The same in Bay between "o" and "p"

p. Take out the willows on the little Island; shorten
in the tall Willows and Poplars back of it, plant others; plant creepers and
do all that is possible to make a broad dense mass of foliage.

q. Plant densely with Willows, Sumac, Poplar, Brambles,
all the open space between walk and the shore. (Let there be no
inlook upon the Island here, even from the high bridge opposite.)

r. (Fifty feet North of bridge) fill up densely covering
the "tula". (Fifty feet further north make a slight recess in the shore
if practicable).

s. Shorten in and add to the Willows on point. In the
large Bay thicken the shore plantations, and make clumps and islands
of "tula" detached from the shore.

t. Break notches in the shore increasing its irregularity.
Shorten in the Willows nearest the shore, forcing a low growth and
bringing the Willow mass with a slope toward the water so that it
will be merged in the "tula". Perhaps low Poplars or White Maples
can be introduced to advantage back of the Willows.

u. Cut out or set back some of the Willows near the
middle of this straight plantation and obtain the effect of a little
recession breaking into the bank if practicable and forming a natural
small Bay or indentation of the shore.OFFICE OF
D.H. BURNHAM, CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION,
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
JACKSON PARK,
CHICAGO.

F. L OLMSTED & CO.,
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

(4)
v. Plant thickly on the slope of the main banks so that
the turf will not be seen from the opposite shore.

w. Connect the shore planting with the high tree foliage
and introduce high flowering plants near the shore. Take out or
shorten the high-stemmed Willow at the head of the Bay and plant a
mass of Willows or Poplars near it.

x. Form coves and tunnels of foliage in the recesses
here as verbally explained. Shorten the highest oaks behind.

y. Thicken this plantation and extend it further back
up the bank.

z. Try to form here a bold high group of foliage.

a' Move all the trees and bushes on this point to the
opposite side of the little Bay, letting them there form with others
a low dense plantation.

b' Trees to connect high and low foliage are here much
needed. Willows with heads from four to eight feet high will answer.

c' Here foliage on the banks is needed to make the
formality of the Rose Garden less conspicuous from the opposite
terrace. Shorten in the high-stemmed Willows and plant additional
Willows to secure density. Sink numerous tubs of water plants off
the shore here and also near the Island.

d' Large Willows to mass between the shore and back
foliage.

e' The two highest trees near here need to be shortened
in about ten feet. Observe them from the opposite shore. The shore
can be improved by indentations.Worlds Fair Chicago
Oct. 8, 1892.

Letter to Ulrich about
planting lagoon.VI
WF

October 17th, 1892.

To The Honorable,
The Board of Directors, 
The World's Columbian Exposition.

Gentlemen:--
          I have the honor to submit the following report showing
the work accomplished to date, upon Jackson Park and the Midway
Plaisance:

          On April 9th, 1890, the Legislature of the State of Illinois
issued a license to the Corporation known as "The World's Columbian
Exposition".
          On April 5th, 1890, the Congress of the United States
passed an act enabling Chicago to hold an International Exposition,
in 1893.
          On August 20th, 1890, the World's Columbian Exposition
appointed Messrs. F. L. Olmsted & Co. as Consulting Landscape
Architects. On their advice, it was on
determined that a body of land known as Jackson Park should be the
site of the Exposition.
           On September 2nd, 1890, the World's Columbian Exposition
appointed Messrs. Burnham & root, as Colsulting Architects, and
Mr. A. Gottlieb, as Consulting Engineer.
           In October, 1890, the Grounds and Buildings Committee
of the World's Columbian Exposition, appointed Mr. Burnham as
Chief of Construction, and on December 8th, 1890, Messrs. Burnham
& Root resigned their office as Consulting Architects, and Mr. Root
was appointed to act in that capacity by himself.
          The Consulting Landscape Architects, the Consulting
Architect and the Chief Engineer formed a "Consulting Board" under
the Chairmanship of the Chief of Construction.
           Mr. Gottlieb resigned his position of Chief Engineer in
August, 1891.-2-

After the death of Mr. Root, and the resignation of
Mr. Gottlieb, the responsibilities they had respectively held were
added to those of the Chief of Construction; no change of title or
addition of salary being made to the latter office.

Late in November, 1890, the Consulting Board, under its
instructions, entered upon the duty of devising a general plan for
the Exposition, taking as a basis for the study of the problem, the
classified list of Exhibits which had been prepared by a Committee
of the World's Columbian Exposition charged with that duty. This
list, together with advice received directly from the Committee,
dictated the number and the size of the buildings which would be
required to meet the intention of the Act of Congress.

The larger part of the site to be dealt with was a swampy,
sandy flat, liable at times to be submerged by the lake. Other parts
were low ridges which had originally been sand bars thrown up by
the lake. Upon some of these ridges there were trees, most of them
oaks of stunted habit because of the poor and water-soaked soil
in which they had grown and the extreme exposure to frigid winds
from the lake to which they had been subject to a late period
every spring.

The leading idea adopted by the Consulting Board for the 
plan had been suggested by Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted, and it was
because of its adaptation to this idea, in addition to the advantage
to be found in a close association of the Exposition with the lake,
that Jackson Park had been recommended as its site. Essentially the
same suggestion had been made twenty years before by Mr. Olmsted in
connection with his former partner, Mr. Calvert Vaux, as the leading
idea of the plan of the Public Park then proposed to be formed on
the same site.

This idea was that there should be a system of navigable
water-ways to be made by dredging boats working inward from the lake
through the lowest parts of the site, the earth lifted by the dredges
to be so deposited as to add to the area and increase the elevation-3-

of the higher parts, which would thus become better adapted to
pleasure ground purposes, and to be used as the sites for the
buildings of the Exposition. After consideration of sketches made
on the ground by Mr. Olmsted's partner, Mr. Henry Sargent Codman,
indicating the manner in which this idea could be worked out suitably
to the purposes of the Exposition, a crude plot on a large scale of
the whole scheme was rapidly drawn on brown paper, mostly with a
pencil in the hand of Mr. Root, whose architectural prescience and
co-ordinating talent made his contribution to the result of no
less value than that of Messrs. F. L. Olmsted & Co.
   The plot formed in the manner described contemplated the
following as leading features of design: that there should be a 
great architectural court with a body of water therein; that this
court should serve as a suitably dignified and impressive entrance
hall to the Exposition and that visitors arriving by train or by
boat should all pass through it; that there should be a formal canal
leading northward from this court to a series of broad waters by
which nearly the entire site would be penetrated, so that the
principal Exposition Buildings would each have a water, as well as
a land frontage, and would be approachable by boats. That near the
middle of this water system there should be a body of land containing
clusters of the largest trees growing upon the site forming an
Island, free from conspicuous buildings and having a generally
secluded natural sylvan aspect, the existing clusters of trees
serving as centers for large masses of foliage to be formed by
plantations of young trees and acquatic plants.
   Time pressing, the penciled, large scale, brown paper
plot, above described, with a brief written specification, almost as
sketchy, was submitted to 
and, after due consideration, on the 1st of December, 1890, was
adopted as the plan of the Exposition. Shortly afterwards this
action was approved by the World's Columbian Commission and an order
given to proceed with the execution of the design.-4-

   The plot presented no studies of buildings other than
the outlines of the spaces to be occupied by those, ten in number,
which had been contemplated in the instructions received by the
Consulting Board from the Committee on Classification.World's Fair                                                                    Mrs. O Sn
                                                                                         Aug 6/20
As Mrs. O, remembers,
Mrs. O was at real opening
Oct. 1892, he described
to her the mud & mess
Then must have gone to
Chi. again after Harry 
Codman's death (Jan '93)

Still again in June 1893
see letter to D H Bumhauer