We came through all right, & with but trifling fatigue or discomfort. The afternoon, yesterday, was very hot & dusty, & if we hadn’t had an entire car to ourselves Livy & the children would have found the ten-hour trip wholly unendurable. This is the first time Livy ever made that trip without arriving in a played-out condition. She shall always go by special car hereafter, until we bust. It was altogether lovely: the porter kept both doors locked, consequently nobody entered the car during the trip; the usual procession of people crowding in & crowding out, at the several stations, was delightfully absent; so were the family & political conversations which one doesn’t want to hear; so were other people’s romping children; so was the prize-candy fiend—on whose head be endless malediction. I think I understand, now, why parties of friends taking a special car for California, are not worn out by the journey.

I saw one act at the Madison Square, & greatly liked it—liked Miss Cawvan’s natural & hearty acting, too. I went over the house & mightily admired the marvelous thing. Since “The Professor” has succeeded elsewhere, it surely ought to succeed in that charming nest of a place. All the tribes here are well, & all send love.