I arrived in Washington at six this morning. I don’t know what I’ve
come for, I didn’t really plan it. Soukine[4] it was who suggested
my coming, and clinched it by writing to Countess Gizycka to tell
her so. This elicited a telegram from Countess Gizycka asking me to
dine on Friday. Furthermore my letter to Sir Auckland Geddes produced
a telegram asking me to lunch at the British Embassy on Thursday.
Therefore, I came when I did. I have lunched and I have tea’d at the
Embassy, I have walked round the town instead of dining. It is very
warm and very lovely. The trees are in full leaf, there is a wind but
it is a warm wind--Washington is a pleasant contrast to New York, it
is large and airy and leisurely and dignified. It looks like a new
town that is incomplete. As one drives outside, one does not get into
slums and suburbs as with any other town, but suddenly one is in green
pastures, it is like the boundaries of a village.