System Number: 00208
Date: 20 June 1902
Author: JW
Place: [London]
Recipient: C. R. Ashbee's foreman[1]
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler A207
Document Type: ALcS
Copy
June 20. 1902 -
Sir -
If you feel "annoyed", and as you said in your letter of yesterday, this matter is "worrying" to you, you may faintly judge of how I[2] feel the annoyance & worry you daily & continuallye to inflict upon me in the execution of your employer's orders! -
You personally are merely the agent, and I exonerate you from evil intent - Indeed your admission of discomfort, in the role forced upon you, does you credit - It pains you, as it must every good workman, to harass & torment another at his work - & you are "doing your best" - but then your best is inevitably damnable! -
I know that you can not muffle your hammer, and do up your pick in wool - but you cannot hope that I should be pleased with you for [illegible] pounding & [p. 2] banging from dawn to dusk on, and about the house your employer let to me to live, work, and sleep in! having, at that very time, honorably prepared his plans to destroy all such possibilities -
J McNeill Whistler
To
The Foreman
Mr Ashbees building
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. C. R. Ashbee's foreman
The foreman to Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942), architect [more]. In March 1902, JW leased a house from Ashbee at 74 Cheyne Walk. It was an unfortunate choice, for he was tormented for a lengthy period over the summer of 1902 by noisy building work going on next door. Ashbee had previously owned the property next door and JW blamed him for his predicament (see #06268).
2. I
Double underlined.