Documents associated with: Exhibition of International Art, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London, 1898
Record 12 of 87
System Number: 07655
Date: [3 April 1898][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: Joseph Pennell[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 272/14/2
Document Type: ALS[3]
110 Rue du Bac Paris
Sunday
It is nice of you to refuse to suppose me ill - But in all that concerns the Society[4], my dear Joseph, I must refer you to my last letter -
For weeks I tell you I have been "hors de combat" - and if I wrote this to you it was in order that you should kindly [p. 2] save me the trouble, as an invalid, of further harassing correspondence -
I begged you, as I was already writing to you, to see Howard[5] and tell him and Lavery[6] that influenza from which I am only slowly recovering, has this time wiped me out - and that for the conduct of the Society and for all that concerns the Exhibition they must quite do without me -
However that happily (if they have faith in my views) all plans had been fully made out for them before I was really down on my back - So that the sailing orders are clear - and the Vice Chairman has - if he thinks fit - only to stick to them -
I may and I trust will get stronger as the weeks go on - and Howard should let me know everything - Perhaps I might still be able to suggest still if no more -
Of course you always are away - If about at this moment, will Mrs Pennell[7], to whom my [p. 3] kindest regards, send this on to Francis Howard - who is not in Paris - or I should have heard - at least I suppose so -
His address is
9. Upper Cheyne Row -
Chelsea
Always sincerely
J McN Whistler
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [3 April 1898]
This letter is quoted by Pennell in a letter to F. Howard, written on the same day, Sunday 3 April 1898, #04580.
2. Joseph Pennell
Joseph Pennell (1860-1926), printer and illustrator, JW's biographer [more].
3. ALS
Written on deep bordered mourning paper.
4. Society
The newly formed International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers. JW's earlier letter expressed his wish to avoid being disturbed by too much correspondence relating to the Exhibition of International Art, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London, 1898 (see JW to J. Pennell, #07652, #07654). However he also complained when he was not kept informed
5. Howard
Francis Howard (1874-1954), painter, art critic and collector [more], Secretary of the Society.
6. Lavery
John Lavery (1856-1941), painter [more], Vice President of the Society.
7. Mrs Pennell
Elizabeth Robins Pennell (1855-1936), née Robins, JW's biographer [more].