December 1933–June 1934

Printed: THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM

Printed: UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA

Printed: PHILADELPHIA

March 5, 1934My dear Mr. Hill:-

Mrs. Dohan has shown me yours to her of the 12th.

I have your letter of February 8th and 11th, and me as it was to you. Before McFadden left last year he talked with me about the possibilities of fieldwork sometime in the future, and I told him to look you up for perhaps there might be some chance of our resuming work in Cyprus, and possibly this would appeal to him. Then just before I cabled you he came into my office and asked if we were thinking of doing any work in Cyprus this spring. I explained our straitened circumstances and he said he'd like to devote $1,500. to a short season if he could go along to learn the ropes, and we could be the beneficiaries of such finds as might result. I could see nothing but advantages in such an arrangement, if you were agreeable: hence my cables. It will be obvious to you that he had particularly fixed in his mind on Curium, but he understands that you may, in all probability, wish to do some final investigations at Lapithos and he will, I think, be glad to devote some time to this.

Our particular wish in having this undertaking go forward satisfactorily is not because we expect great things from the project per se, but much more because McFadden has decided leaning's towards making archaeology his life's interest. He is intelligent, full of good taste and unusually tenacious. He is financially well equipped to be extremely helpful and to develop into a real patron of Greek archaeology. I have, from time to time, endeavored to direct his interest to other fields, but it is centered on this Greek area, especially fixed on the problems of the earlier periods rather than the later, hence his lack of enthusiasm for Lambousa.

I should not consider for a moment inflicting you with a jejune Maecenas, and I trust you will not think him such -- indeed I feel sure when you get to know him you will appreciate his qualifications. There is really a great deal to the boy, though his upbringing and background have made him somewhat mistrustful that all people have designs on his fortunes.

Beyond an enthusiasm he has no great equipment for fieldwork, but is really anxious to learn. You cannot count on him as surveyor or draughtman, but I can assure you he will buckle down to any job you set him and come to be helpful. He has a smallish boat in the Mediterranean and has suggested its use in transporting the party to Cyprus from Greece, and perhaps mooring it off Curium as hostelry for the staff. I doubt if this will be feasible, but he is ready to be advised by you. I am sure he can drive a car but he will not bring one so the problem of