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Show 2 -i 'H JI3 December 24, 1959 Dr. George Forsyth, Jr., Chairman Department of Fine Arts The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan Dear Georges I am more than happy to hear from you at all times. I should also like you to consider me the least of the invisible servants rather than the mentor of the Mt. Sinai Expedition. Whatever I can do for its benefit at present and in future, I will always do with a sense of pride and privilege. Thank you, George, for your letter of December 18 and for the copy of the Archbishopfs letter. All the steps taken by you are both wise and expedient, and I can really add little to your actions or contribute to your high diplomacy. However, if you plan further writing, 1 believe a letter to Mr. A. Naguib Hashem will be helpful. After all, he was our chief support in Cairo during the last season, and I am sure that he would be willing still to advise the Minister of Culture on the Expedition. I propose that you should write him at his own personal address as a short-cut from the office routine and tell him that you are doing so at my suggestion. His home address iss 5 Mohamad Anis Street, ZamatLek, Cairo - Egypt, U.A.H. Regarding the Archbishop1s donation, I have no doubt that $500. - dollars ought to be sufficient. To save you the embarassment of discussing such a matter as this, I can, if you permit me, undertake writing to him personally stating that that gift was proposed by me and approved by you outside the regular fees for the use of the rooms in the Monastery. 1 believa this arrangement worked last season and there is no reason why it should not work in the next one. What a pleasure it would be if time and chance throw us into Egypt at the time of your presence in Sinai! Of course we could never resist the temptation of availing ourselves of your hospitality by paying you a visit at the Monastery. Judging by foreseeable circumstances, however, this is only a slender possibility. On the other hand, you can rest assured that Fuad and Lily will act for me in Cairo. Both look forward to the joy of receiving you and Kurt and Fred. Let me again send our very best wishes to you and hope for a successful year free from cares and troubles. You are so much in our thoughts and I trust that we can get together either in or even before the summer. Write again when you can. Tours ever Aziz S. Atiya |