UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Corresponence of James McNeil Whistler

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Documents associated with: Société Internationale de Peinture et de Sculpture, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, 1901
Record 4 of 6

System Number: 11205
Date: [4/5 December 1901?][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: Marion Draughan[2]
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 9/531-2
Document Type: TLc


HOTEL CHATHAM [...]

Monday evening.

Now, you know, there come about certain master events before which all other matters at once are reduced to absolute unimportance!

Well then, Miss Marion - this is what immediately occurs in your own beautiful career!

Tomorrow I want[3] you! That's all - and for once all other engagements must yield to this overwhelming truth! -

It is of course vital - so have no other thought about it - but just come -

The responsibility is mine - and mine will be the thinking - Mine also the task of straightening things out for you -

See now! the gods have sent you! - a Florida flower from over the seas - to me! Their painter - so what's the use!! -

Sit down and write:

Dear Mr - (Alibazan[4]!)
I am very much grieved at being obliged to disappoint you, but news that I have just received, makes it imperative for me to attend to a matter of sudden and personal importance tomorrow.
With many regrets,
Very faithfully yours,
Marion Draughan.
P. S., I shall be very glad if it pleases you, to make this up to you at another time —

(p. 2) Now then be at the Studio tomorrow by nine or as soon after as possible - if you want to have a good time tomorrow evening at the exhibition! I have sent all the others - and an empty frame in the centre! dat's for dat gurl!! -

She's looking wonderful - but just waiting[5] for you!

We have swindled them out of another day - or at any rate another morning! but she wants it! I have done wonders to the picture[6] today - but dat gurl is a calling out for mo' gold and rose leaves - and don't you disappoint her! -

[butterfly signature]

They are saying already that the panel of the pictures in the talk of all Paris!!


This document is protected by copyright.


Envelope:

Urgent. At last moment unable to go myself! so send special messenger.



Notes:

1.  [4/5 December 1901?]
Dated by the possible reference to the exhibition of the Société Internationale de Peinture et de Sculpture, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, 1901.

2.  Marion Draughan
Marion Draughan, patron [more].

3.  want
Underlined three times.

4.  Alibazan
An imaginary magic word. See also JW's draft of a letter to Ross, #11203.

5.  waiting
Double underlined.

6.  picture
Portrait of Miss Marian Draughn (YMSM 533).