Sept. 15, 1957

Dear bob,

Had a very nice trip up here and was very thrilled to be able to fly again.

I arrived in Albany early in the morning and had three hours to kill, so I just walked
around the city and watched it wake up.

It was the second time I had been in Albany, and I like the city more and more each
time I see it.

i started out from the New York Central station, which is east of the main downtown
section, and headed west, past the state capital building ( the striking building with
the huge staircase in "Beau James") and soon I was in a residential section reminiscent
of some of the side streets in New York.  Noticeably lacking, however, was the sense of
great anticipation which fills the streets of New York in the early morning hours.  It was
almost as if this metropolis to the north were casting a knowing, maternal smile down
the Hudson to her favorite child, whom she will reprimand when the occasion arises.

West of the residential section was a huge park much like Jackson Park.  Only the hills
were much steeper, the ravines more prone to contain a dry stream.  The only edifices
which violated the park were on a peninsula a block long.  there were only four of them,
each of prodigious size, the garage and servants' quarters would have more than
sufficed for all the Machuras in these United States.

The view across the Hudson, which is just east of the city, was very nice;  lofty green
hills contained what I supposed to be the nearest outpost of suburbia.

The one shortcoming of the town which really bothers me is the names which are
attached to the streets in the downtown area.  As best as I could ascertain, the center of
town is the intersection of Main and Pearl Streets.  Other main arteries of the city were
named Beaver, Eagle, Hawk, Elm, Oak, Pine, and other sundry flora and fauna.  Hudson
Avenue, a side street flanked by warehouses, was the only street I came across whose
name bore any historical significance.  Evidently, the Audubon Society was very
influential in early Albany!

Having polished off Albany, I went  on to Hanover, and the next morning I left on the
freshman trip.  I had a great time and even blazed a few trails.

Right now, I'm getting ready for fraternity rushing to start tomorrow evening.  I just hope
that if I do get into a fraternity I can scare up enough money for everything.

Classes start Wednesday, so it won't be very long before my letters, of necessity, will
become much more succinct, much to your relief, I'm sure.

Write as soon as you can (don't forget to enclose your new address) and tell me about
your date.

With that bait

met through fate.

How's her weight?

Does she rate?

Cogitate?

Osculate?

Being very modest, I do not want to close this letter with my own surprisingly
spontaneous poem,  so I submit as the thought for this month a line by W.H. Auden:
"Thousands have lived without love, not one without water."

Tom