Documents associated with: Constant, T. C. J.
Record 4 of 32
System Number: 04666
Date: [18 July 1896][1]
Author: JW
Place: Honfleur
Recipient: Rosalind Birnie Philip[2]
Place: London
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler P306
Document Type: ALS[3]
'July 18. 96'
Hotel St Siméon. Honfleur.
Calvados.
My dear Major -
Your letter is very nice - and I was delighted to get the large envelope full of things -
It turns out that we[4] cannot get away from here on Sunday as there is no boat! - So that we shall leave on the monday night instead - and appear on the tuesday morning at the studio -
I wonder if the purple background has got any [p. 2] fairer in the sun? -
Tomorrow we have arranged to run over to Trouville - An early - very early! diligeance - and a two hours drive - and then the sea side - and the full season at this French watering place -
I have not been able to manage anything in the way of painting - with the exception of a little bit in the church[5] which is not particularly satisfactory - so that is rather disappointing too - However, if fine tomorrow, I may bring away a bit of the sea - The last two days have been tiresome and cold - and I have been blue - of course! -
A letter from Lady Haden[6] in the budget - rather [p. 3] nice and amusing - and one from [Fat.?] - who came with his wife and sister to Paris - you remember - about Trixie[7] and asking me to go there - Naturally I shall not dream of it - Several from Webb[8] - with a long thing from Tom Way[9] -
I am glad the shelves are up - they must look nice -
Mrs. Poole[10] had better be seen - and really she had better send down the fine writing inlaid chest we all saw - £12 - I suppose it is best to take it anyhow - for it will always be worth the money -
She had better send it down at once - and it could be got in, and put in the place of the table which they can [p. 4] take away - Constant[11] can be there and Willis[12] - Constant can let the blinds down - and see that the chest comes in through the window and then put it all straight again, and pull up the blinds to the same height as before - All this might be done on Saturday Monday without fail - so that it would [be] ready and everything nice for tuesday when I come back - I suppose you and Bunnie[13] would go in on Monday and be by, or look on so that no accident should happen -
Well now Good bye for the present - I must be off to bed - woefully sleepy - and shockingly early tomorrow!
How are you? & how is Bunnie? - She has not written but I suppose she hasn't had a minute -
You had better impress upon the Poole that her men must come properly prepared with ropes etc. for hoisting the piece of furniture - which ought to be covered so that it shall not be scratched -
With love to both
J McN W.
This document is protected by copyright.
Envelope:
'July 18th 1896'
ToMiss Birnie-Philip
St. Judes Cottage
Heath End -
Hampstead -
nr. London -
Angleterre
[stamp:] POSTE / 25/ REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE
[postmark:] HONFLEUR CALVADOS / 2E 18 / JUIL / 96
[postmark on verso:] LONDON. N. W. / YA / JY 20 / 96
Notes:
1. Rosalind Birnie Philip
Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), JW's sister-in-law [more]. JW calls her 'Major'.
2. [18 July 1896]
The date, added in pencil at a later date on both the letter and envelope by the recipient, is confirmed by the postmark.
3. ALS
The stationery has a mourning border.
4. we
JW was in Honfleur with Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932), dealer with H. Wunderlich and Co., New York [more].
5. bit in the church
JW painted a church there, Brown and Gold: The Curé's Little Class (YMSM 455).
6. Lady Haden
Deborah ('Debo' or 'Sis') Delano Haden (1825-1908), née Whistler, JW's half-sister [more].
7. Trixie
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more]. She had died recently.
8. Webb
William Webb (b. ca 1851), of G. and W. Webb, lawyer [more]. He had written to JW on 3 July 1896, #11377.
9. Tom Way
Thomas Robert Way (1861-1913), printer, lithographer and painter [more]. He had written on 13 July 1896, #11382.
10. Mrs. Poole
Mrs Poole, possibly proprietor of a furniture shop.
11. Constant
T. C. J. Constant, JW's servant and valet [more].
12. Willis
Willis, husband of JW's housekeeper at 8 Fitzroy Square.
13. Bunnie
Ethel Whibley (1861-1920), née Philip, JW's sister-in-law [more].