December 1933–June 1934

9 Plutarch Street, Athens,

20 March 1934Dear Mrs.Dohan,

You were very good to reply so promptly to my letter asking for information concerning the Curium project and Mr.McFadden.

I rather expected that Mr.Jayne would write me after he had my second cablegram saying that we should dig at Curium, except where the Cyprus Museum has staked claims, and that I had applied for the formal permit. As he did not write then, however, I imagine that he will have written in reply to all three of my February letters (8th, 11th, 19th) after he received the third. I need particularly to know about the business arrangements for the expedition; and hope, certainly, that there will be a small sum available for expenses that would better not come out of the $1500 and that I should not like to let Mr.McFadden personally pay but ought not to pay myself.

I find what you say about Mr.McF. decidedly encouraging. The personal impression he made when I saw him last September was excellent, but I didn't gather that he was particularly interested in archaeology or in ancient topography except where it touches the sea (as of course a good deal of it does). If he doesn't mind work, even when it is dull, we shall get on very well. If when he comes here it looks as if he would not care to take the larger half (the younger man's share, when the staff is of two only) of the routine labor of the excavation I may suggest taking on another young man, provided this can be done without cutting into the 1500. Stillwell tells me that one of the students at the School, whom I have met only, might be available. Nothing will be said until I have seen McF., and very likely nothing then.

Mr.McFadden wrote me a very pleasant letter the day of his schooner. I replied on March 2nd, to the address he gave me, care of his Paris bankers. Day before yesterday I received this telegram from Gibraltar:

Expect arrive Athens first April. Stop. Miss Cox not coming before I see you. Please wire me SS Vulcania Naples when you expect to go Cyprus. McFadden.

I replied:

Expect (to be) ready (to) sail tenth April.

I shall be well put to it to be ready the day named but hope to manage. There is a Lloyd boat sailing the 11th and a Greek one leaving the 14th, both to Limassol etc. via Rhodes. So if the schooner sets out before the 10th I'll put my goods aboard and overtake it where I may, or meet it in Limassol harbor. Mr.Dikaios is attending to the matter of the Permit, and if there is no hitch should have it shortly after the first of April. Should there be delay enough that is interesting and profitable to do in the meantime with the schooner at command.

Does the reference to D.Cox in McF's telegram imply, as it seems to do, that she may be coming later? That would be great!

The box containing the plans is here. It was delivered to Blegen on the Roma too late for him to send back word by the pilot that he had it. He gave me your message about the Eleusis book, which I have turned over to Stillwell. I hope he can do the review soon.

Sincerely yours, [signature]

my copies (?) the (?) film is to be c/o Union Bank, Cannes [handwritten: handwritten note along bottom margin, upside down]

Handwritten: Sincerely / Dohan