System Number: 01146
Date: 23 February 1882
Author: Marcus Bourne Huish[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler F78
Document Type: ALS
THE FINE ART SOCIETY,
(LIMD)
148, NEW BOND ST. W.
23. Feb. 82.
Dear Whistler.
My letters, although always framed on the 'soft answer turneth away wrath[2]' basis, seem to have a contrariwise effect in your case[3] -
My remark has nothing 'mean or disgraceful' about it that I can see - It merely amounted to this that, as you know, printers have not been [p. 2] easily procured of late but that when one was [afford?] got hold of instead of printing our plates you printed your own - I was not even aware that we were to pay for the time he was engaged for you - so that the suggestion you raise doesn't arise -
I had not heard that you had called to see me - [p. 3] or anything about the days that you could give us. As I told you yesterday I imagined that the conclusion you came to at our meeting at the Club[4] was that the matter of printing so far as you were concerned had dropped.
Of course if you will continue the printing we shall be [p. 4] only too thankful to you but it must be on some recognised basis & I am only authorised to offer the terms contained in my letter[5] of yesterday
Yours failly
Marcus B Huish
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Notes:
1. Marcus Bourne Huish
Marcus Bourne Huish (1843 - d.1921), barrister, writer and art dealer, Director of the Fine Art Society [more].
2. soft answer turneth away wrath
'A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger,' Prov. 15.1.
3. your case
This is a reply to JW's letter, #01145. This letter relates to the printing of Mr Whistler's Etchings of Venice, 1880 (the first 'Venice Set') (K. 183-189, 191-195). (excat 5). See also M. B. Huish to JW, #01139, E. G. Brown to JW, #01140. JW was in dispute with Huish over whether he should be paid for printing etchings (see JW to M. B. Huish, #01127, #01128, M. B. Huish to JW, #01129).
4. Club
Perhaps the Beefsteak Club, a gentleman's club of which JW was a member (see JW to M. B. Huish, #01149).