Scripto | Revision Difference | Transcription

1682 Commonwealth Ave.(3) Boston, Mass. May 13 Dear Mrs. Eckstorm:- I was immensely interested and entertained by your apologia pro vitae which recounted experiences that I doubt if any woman could duplicate. While I accept your story without question of its details I am going to give you a test of your ability to name plants and fruits. I am enclosing a photostat, the negative, of our Abenaki Indians taken from Champlain's works as the only portraits I can dig up as genuine representations of the Red Men of Champlain's days. Incidentally, if you have a copy of any edition of Champlain can you locate it for me? It was used by Ford in his edition of Bradford. I commend to your attention the extraordinary plant which acts as a buffer to separate the gentlemen brave and the lady squaw. She evidently holds an ear of corn in her left hand and I refer to you the fruit which dangles from her right hand. It is a fig of the original tree which served a well-known purpose mentioned in Genesis? Furthermore, do you accept Champlain's version that these people traveled around in the altogether? I can understand that when on

"All hot and sultry days

Ice cream was handed round in trays," the Indian was not bound by modern conventions. What is your opinion? I have sent Vol. I to the printer of my book and this illustration goes in chapter II on the Aborigines of York so I will be obliged if you will give your views on the Spring and Winter styles affected by the Indians. Yours sincerely, CE Banks[signature is handwritten]