Documents associated with: Bronson, Edith
Record 2 of 4
System Number: 10886
Date: [1881/1884?][1]
Author: JW
Place: [London]
Recipient: Katherine Bronson[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 14/1282-3/1
Document Type: MsLc[3]
But of course dear and most charming Mrs Bronson! - Will you have me on Thursday this week? - and will you not also be delighted to have Waldo Story[4] - who is staying within a stone's throw of the Bristol[5] - 16 - Berkeley Square - I heard by chance of your arrival on Sunday - from Mrs Paget[6] - where you were expected at lunch - and should have been yesterday to call only as is my foolish habit I am hard [p. 2] at work - but I was just writing to beg you come on Sunday next to breakfast with me, when the post brought me your kind note[7] -
How very glad I shall be to see you again - you who have always been so bienveillante[8] for me - and whose kindness and hospitality to me in Venice[9] I can never forget -
With kindest regards to yourself and Miss Edith[10]
Always sincerely yours
J McNeill Whistler
My best remembrances to your brother[11] and pray beg him to come with you on Sunday.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [1881/1884?]
Dated from the references to Story, Paget, and Venice (see below).
2. Mrs Bronson
Katherine Coleman Bronson (1834-1901), née De Kay [more]. During his stay in Venice 1879-1880, JW was a regular visitor to the Bronson household in the Ca' Alvisi on the Grand Canal.
3. MsLc
This copy is in the hand of Elizabeth Robins Pennell (1855-1936), née Robins, JW's biographer [more].
4. Waldo Story
Thomas Waldo Story (1854-1915), sculptor [more].
5. Bristol
The Bristol Hotel at 33 Old Burlington Street and Cork Street, London.
6. Mrs Paget
Mrs Paget, friend of Katherine Bronson.
7. note
Letter untraced.
8. bienveillante
Fr., kindly.
9. Venice
JW worked in Venice from 1879-1880 on an etchings commission for the Fine Art Society, Mr Whistler's Etchings of Venice, 1880 (the first 'Venice Set') (K. 183-189, 191-195) . The trip also resulted in numerous other works including etchings and pastels.
10. Miss Edith
Edith Bronson (b. 1861), later Countess Rucellai [more]. It was she who sent the original letter to E. R. Pennell in 1907.
11. brother
Her family name was DeKay, but the name of the brother has not been identified.