May–December 1954

Dear G. Roger: 23 June, 1954 To take the most important things first: Adana produced. On Sunday 20 I went to the Harmwells to lunch, in Chestnut Hill, getting back home about five. Adana about; but I didn't expect children until late this week. Weeded the garden until about 7.30, then supper time. But before going in, called Adana, who didn't come. Had a look under her favorite bush, and found her there, with two puppies already produced. Held her hand until eleven thirty, by which time there were eight. As she seemed to be through then, went to bed (late for me) but when I got up in the morning there were ten. Dof population thus increased in one fell swoop from four to fourteen. Mother and children all doing well; none have died so far, and all look plump and energetic. Think I will keep two (will have vto move into a bigger house?) and sell the rest. Sorry you are not here to advise as to which ones to keep. There is a black dog, much like Izzy, with some minor white markings; and a yellowish bitch, much like Filby; and these are at the moment the ones I am thinking of keeping but final decisions will have to wait for their eyes to open, so I can decide on the basis of color of eyes. Perhaps I will get fond of them, and in the end want to keep them all. But they seem to come in rather numerous batches. Adana very smug and pleased with herself. Filby should be in heat in October or November; perhaps a new barch thereafter. If she makes ten too, then you may have twenty four to look after during the spring. Spent whole morning, 9.40 to 12.50 talking with Ru Anthes about Egyptiian expedition. He was making out his application for permit to dig, and also taking advice on supplies. Following outcome: Randrover definitely needed. Would you therefore set up the triptique as planned, so that it can go to Egypt instead of Turkey. Also would you if possible find out about ships going to Alexandria or Port Said, and let us know timetable. Car will be needed about end of January in Egypt; and better to sit in Cyprus than in customs at Alex, if sailings are right. Henry Fisoher will go out about 1 Dec. and work with Egypt Exploration Society dig prior to Anthes arrival, for practice. If necessary and desirable Henry could pass by Cyprus on his way out, and make any necessary rarrangements for shipping the car to Alex, unless you think it would not be too much of an imposition to ask Peter Megaw to do it when the proper time comes. Thesefore please advise as to shipping schedules to Egypt, if available this far in advance, and desirability or not of Henry going to Egypt by way of Cyprus. Of other equipment they would like a leica (I think you said there were two; if so we could certainly spare one). Also, would like to have the icebox if it is available. Told Anthes I didn't know whether you had sold it or not, or whether it was considered a part of the house and would therefore be turned over with the house to the antiquities service. Please inform about the icebox; one Leica might be left at Museum for Henry, or to be sent to Egypt in due course. The latest is a great labor for me, and one in which I am not sure that I believe. Suggested by Williams, Provost of Universtiy, that for administrative reasons and to clip a little wings of Oriental Studies Dept. (Speiser and Brown) night be well to set up in Museum new Department of Archaeology. to include us, the Babylonians, the Egyptians, and Cammann. I appointed to make out prospectus. Start by throwing out Cammann, as Chinese studies in no way related. There is much to be said for, e.g., that it would be far from a bad idea for students of our field to have some knowledge of Egypt and Mespotamia (though hardly China) but also much to be said ahainst - e.g., it would involve undergraduate teaching, and a great deal of administrative work to run such a department. Also probably a horrible row with the orientals who would not appreciate having their wings clipped. So I will just make out a prospectus and throw it in their laps, and hope that I can thereafter forget thw whole business. Hiram has departed for New Haven, taking with her the Curium and the Gordion coins, She will be back in September to work on more Gordion plans, which she could not do while here because a few vital plans and measurements had been forgotten at Gordion when the place was closed up last August. We delegated Machteld to look for them, and I have had a letter that she duly found them and will bring on her return. She also reports things in good shape at Gordion; except that a flock of about 200 pigeons has got under the eaves of the house and lives in the attic, making filth. The cure is to get boards and nail them on the under side of the eaves (after cleaning out the birds, naturally); and she said that Omer Bey was willing to advance the necessary sum of about 500 liras to do it, expecting repayment next spring. But she was not clear whether she had given the word to go ahead. If not, you might see about getting it done when you pass through in September. I think that there are well over 3000 liras in the Ottoman bank account. If Omer advanced the money and it has been done, one, he might appreciate being repaid. Short visit today from Dyson, successor to Francis Steele, seems an upright and even amiable youth. Will be in Cambridge most of summer, finishing up thesis. Hiram says ahe will want half pay offered about September 15; so will take no action about having it paid until then, from Chase account. Best regards from the ten & 4

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