January–April 1954

(and what else could he have meant, since he had no other account here at the time of his death, and presumably didn't at the time he made his will?). But Sir P. feels duty bound to refer the technicality to Mr. Ewing for instructions, and wrote him about it the 15th. I rather imagine Mr. Ewing will be sensible in his interpretation, but you might discuss this with Fro so that he will be forewarned. Perhaps the technicality doesn't exist in American legal terminology should of course apply.

One other business matters, about Bamboula. It seems that only one part of the excavations is within the boundaries of land owned by the Government, and the rest is rented from local owners. Peter has proposed, with a view to the Antiquities Department's taking over the site as a public monument when we leave, that we undertake to purchase the rest of the site, as has been the Government arrangement in the past here. I am inclined to go along with this, if the price is reasonable, and I rather think there are government pulfings which will keep it so. Bamboula seems to me an important site worth keeping open. Probably if we don't buy, the parts we don't own will be filled in and turned back to cultivation. The owners for As I understand it, our understaking to help in the purchase becomes does not give us any title to the land; on purchase it becomes strictly Government property. But I think it a desirable gesture, all the same. Registry of views: open.

Things are looking up for us in the assistance line. We learned yesterday of an English girl who is coming out (has come out, should say) who is experienced in clerical work of digs and apparently good at it, and who will be open to offers within about 10 days, further east. I have sent word until she is ready to move on. She is coming to work first for a that we are interested. She is coming to Nicosia. He visited you young gent by the name of Wright in Nicosia. I believe he worked with at Gordion once when I wasn't there. I believe he worked with Seton-Lloyd at Sultan Tepe, and has also been at Benghazi, and at Salamis here as well. Wright himself may be available to us for pot-drawings or architectural work on similar terms. I think, for part of our remaining time here. I know him only slightly, but think he may be good; good company anyway: would probably liven us up no end, more than we want, perhaps!

I have written DHC about coin matters here. I should be most happy if she would dispose of them publication-wise for us.

The new house sounds wonderful. I am eager to see it, and one day, when this is over, settle down for a while. Caroline says she misses us, and is very disturbed that she now has two young and flighty bachelors. "Rodney" she says, "I do wish, Rodney had never developed that passion for such big dogs!" I can hardly second this.

Best,