Documents associated with: Universal Exhibition, Paris, 1889
Record 11 of 62
System Number: 04111
Date: 10 February 1889
Author: Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac[1]
Place: [Paris]
Recipient: JW
Place: London
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler M381
Document Type: ALS[2]
Cher diable angélique -
ou ange diabolique - à votre choix - La non-communication avec vous me pesait un peu, à vrai dire; bien que, en dehors et au dessus de toutes manifestations, et même en dépit de nous-mêmes, elle ne puisse jamais ne pas avoir lieu silencieusement et de loin, entre nos affinités électives et nos particules aimantées. - Nonobstant, un appel de cor - et même de cœur! est toujours réconfortant entre ceux que le poëte[3] dénomme: "chasseurs[4] [p. 2] perdus dans les grands bois."
= Vous savez que, de nous à nous, le Domine[5] non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum, ... [illegible] ne saurait convenir qu'à la condition de le changer en sum dignus. - mais, pour la suite, il n'y a rien à y redire; sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea. - laetabitur, certes! - Venez donc; on mettra les petits pots dans les grands: et comme les grands-grands sont petits-petits, tout cela [p. 3] sera suffisamment menu-menu.
Comme chez Madame Scarron[6] le rôti sera remplacé par une histoire; et comme chez Madame de Sévigné[7], le dîner sera bien caqueté.
Affectueux hommages à Mrs. Butterfly[8].
RMF
10 Février 89
On me demande mon portrait[9] pour l'Exposition universelle: quel dommage que ce n'ait pas été le vôtre!
[p. 4] P. S. Quant aux sentiments qui hantent les bibelots réformés de votre étagère[10] selon votre expression enrégistrée, je les connais et comprends, (pour les avoir non éprouvés, mais déterminés): c'est tout simplement une nostalgie homérique qu'on prend pour de la haine et qui n'est que de l'amour rentré; tout au moins un cuisant spleen.
Animas in vulnere ponunt[11], comme les abeilles de Virgile[12]. Telle est la grande et symbolique portée de ce petit épisode, qui, en lui-même, ne représente qu'une insignifiante reprise de much ado about nothing[13].
This document is protected by copyright.
Translation:
Dear angelic demon
or demonic angel - according to your choice. - The lack of communication with you weighs on me a little, to tell the truth, although, beside and above all manifestations, and even in spite of ourselves, it could never happen silently or from a distance, between our elective affinities and our particular affection. - Notwithstanding, a call of the bugle - and even of the heart! is always comforting between those whom the poet denounces as: "hunters lost in the deep woods" -
You know that, between ourselves, the Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof ... is only acceptable on condition that it is changed to "I am worthy". But, to follow, there is nothing to alter; but only say the word and my spirit will be whole. - it will rejoice, certainly! - Come then; the little pots will be put into the large pots; and since the very large are very small, all that will be teeny-tiny enough.
Like Madame Scarron the roast will be replaced by a story; and as with Madame de Sévigné, the dinner will be well discussed.
Affectionate respects to Mrs. Butterfly
RMF
10th February 89.
They have asked for my portrait for the universal Exhibition: what a pity it was not yours!
P.S. As for the feelings which are haunting the reformed ornaments of your shelves according to your recorded feelings, I know them and understand, (to have them not proven but established); it is quite simply a Homeric nostalgia which is taken for hatred and which is only love returned; more or less a bitter spleen.
Animas in vulnere ponunt, like Virgil's bees. Such is the great and symbolic import of this little episode which, in itself, only represents an insignificant revival of much ado about nothing.
Envelope:
Monsieur Whistler[14]Tower House
Tite Street
Chelsea
London -
Notes:
1. Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac
Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac (1855-1921), Symbolist writer and poet, and collector [more]. The letter was written in purple ink in Montesquiou's decorative script.
2. ALS
Published by Newton, Joy, La Chauve-Souris et le Papillon. Correspondance Montesquiou-Whistler, Glasgow, 1990, pp. 52-4, no. 16.
3. le poëte
Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), poet and critic [more].
4. chasseurs
'Les Phares' from Baudelaire, Charles, Les Fleurs du mal, Alencon, 1857.
5. le Domine
Jerome says: 'Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum; sed tantum dic verbo et sanabitur puer meus,' Vulgate, Matt. 8.8. (Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but say only the word and my servant shall be cleansed.)
6. Madame Scarron
Mme Scarron (1635-1719), née Françoise d'Aubigné, later marquise de Maintenon and wife of Louis XIV.
7. Madame de Sévigné
Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sévigné (1626-1696), epistolary writer, known for her detailed and lively letters to Mme Grignan.
8. Mrs. Butterfly
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].
9. mon portrait
Universal Exhibition, Paris, 1889. JW's portrait of him is Arrangement in Black and Gold: Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac (YMSM 398).
10. votre étagère
Montesquiou wrote of JW, 'Lors de sa brouille avec Stott - qu'il appelait drôlement le désastre d'Oldham - Whistler disait: il faut épousseter de temps à autre l'étagère des relations' (ms. note by Montesquiou, Bibliotecque National, Nouv. Acq. Fr. 15335, f. 19, quoted Newton, 1990, p. 54).
11. Animas in vulnere ponunt
Actually 'animasque in vulnere ponunt', Lat., laying down their lives in the wound they make, from Virgil, Georgics, 29 B.C.E., Book IV, line 238.
12. Virgile
Virgil (70-19 BC), né Publius Vergilius Maro, Roman poet.
13. much ado about nothing
The title of a dark and complex comedy by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), playwright [more], based around the adventures of two gallants, Claudio and Benedick, at the court of Sicily.
14. Monsieur Whistler
The envelope is badly damaged, with a section torn away from the reverse side.