Friday Feb. 15, 1889

My dear Mr. Waters

I was very glad to receive your letter of Feb. 7th -- I did not get it till the ninth which seems to me a good while between London and Paris. Josselyn and I start on our trip to Italy and Greece a week from next Monday, or we expect to, and will not be back to Paris until the first of August or thereabouts. I want to take in the exhibition at that time, and after that I do not know what I shall do till the winter months. Josselyn is going to England for a trip of about a month and then sails for home from there. I may possibly see England with him but have made no plans yet, my money may give out or something happen. I don't like to look too far ahead. I have had the honor of having my pictures hung first in the watercolor class so I feel satisfied with my progress but expect to do work with more snap to it when I "get on the road."

I photographed the fellows and as usual got flattering likenesses of everybody -- I am the person in the lower left hand corner and I took the picture by pushing a rubber bulb with a long stick. I will explain the people depicted: Cary, George of Buffalo a rich chap and good fellow -- lives in same house - 66 Rue de Seine. Lavalle of Boston, Parents South American perhaps you know of him. Tilton -- New York -- truly good. Boring -- San Francisco. Flagg of N.Y. -- also rich (I enjoy his dinners frequently). Maguire [sic] of New York, also rooms at 66. Lord, Rotch Scholarship man of '88 -- Boston. Leteurtre, our greasy garlicy clever little professor. Le Vicompte de Sibourg of Washington -- his mother is an American -- his family living here this winter, one of our crowd at table, nearly danced my feet off at his house last night. Josselyn -- Rotch Scholarship man of '87 -- he looks rather ridiculous because he moved. Benson -- An American offensively American in his tastes. Saglio a Frenchman who talks English and plays the violin like an angel. I omitted Brockway, he does not eat with us and we do not see much of him -- tant mieux.

If you reverse one of the photographs and look through it at the light you will see who is who -- we have had a fine time together this winter and I shall be extremely sorry when we break up -- we cannot expect to have such a congenial crowd together again. Travelling by boat is good fun as you say -- I did a good deal of it when I was here before and have made a few short trips this time. If you will write to me while I am travelling letters addressed to me care of Munroe & Co 7 Rue Scribe, Paris, will get to me.

Very sincerely yours

John P Benson