SCYLLA. [Page 463.]
and factotum, Mr. Brush made himself invaluable. Then early in April came Avvocato F. Saverio Donate, who had been in Messina and lived in our camp before, as Mr. Bicknell’s secretary. He was a faithful and untiring worker, and, with Avvocato Rodolfo Serrao, son of the former Prefect of Rome and Messina, who joined about the first of May, took over entirely the harassing duties attendant on the assignment of the houses for occupancy. The last to join the camp was Mr. R. R. McGoodwin, a young architect who was studying in Rome. When he came, we had already begun on the hotel, church, school-houses, laboratory, and dormitory at Messina, and the six-building hospital group at Villaggio Regina Elena. All these were on the lines laid out by Mr. Elliott and the work was progressing well; but without complete plans—which were more than one man could accomplish with so many other things to do—questions of detail were continually arising, which Mr. McGoodwin was able in large measure to settle. Mr. Elliott, McGoodwin and I made the traditional three required for every good firm of architects; but in justice to them it must be said that, on account of our exceptional circumstances, I assumed to outvote them occasionally, to the detriment of artistic effect.
“Two English ex-soldiers applied for work about the same time, and proved good hands, remaining until the last of our party left.”
“April 18, 1909.
“An urgent request having come from the Genio Civile and from Mr. Bowdoin, for a man to help erect the portable houses at Ali, Mr. Dowling, superintendent carpenter, was sent to Ali, to superintend that work, and assist in any way he could. He was glad to have the detail; Mr. Bowdoin writes me that he has taken hold well; and it will prevent the pieces of those portable houses from being mismated and so going to waste.
“In general since you left here, events have been thick and important.”
“April 26, 1909.
“I shall reserve the cigars and champagne Derby brought for an appropriate occasion, perhaps to celebrate the completion of the hospital, or of the work. Of the cigars, I took one box over to Reggio and told the mess there that it was sent with your compliments, and did the same with the other box here. Thank you also for the newspaper extracts about Mr. Roosevelt’s visit.