System Number: 02969
Date: [3 July 1892][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: Marcus Bourne Huish[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler LB 3/32
Document Type: ALdS[3]
33. Rue du Tournon Paris -
Dear Mr Huish -
This news is most shocking - and the outrage - for monstrous outrage it is, is without excuse - Of course[4] the brutality occurred in the English Custom house - for what has the Country which the package is leaving to do with the douanal[5] examination - nothing at all - It is [the] country which it is entering which may wish to know whether the contents are taxable - And it is the native Briton [p. 2] who has probed the carefully packed parcel, as if it were a contraband cheese with a chisel!! -
It is more than disgraceful - it is to the last degree shameful - for not only should did the very daintiness of the covering with all its warnings of caution proclaim the delicacy of the contents, but the boardings themselves offered sufficient protection against all usual accident - and nothing but this determined savagery, which no[6] care could have obviated, could possibly have threatened the safety of the beautiful proofs inside - Moreover these same etchings, had been sent to me here from London, in exactly the same manner by post and I had received them in Paris intact[7]. The French officials were guilty of no such wanton and imbecile bestiality. - Pray leave no stone unturned to bring these people to punishment - The etchings were declared here (when given to the authorities) of value - one hundred francs (absurd to put them at thousands or I doubt if they would have taken them at all besides money would not have paid for the loss of the beautiful things) was quite enough to guard them with every possible precaution hereon this side of the Channel, and indeed the packages themselves went back and forth three times from the Office to the Hotel before the Officials were satisfied with the security of the packing for objects of such value! -
Now - The "consolation" you speak [p. 3] [of] is a much slighter one than you fancy - for even after were I able to begin again at once, it would take endless trouble & much time to get those two plates again into the condition in which they will give proofs of the same beauty as those harmed - Perhaps now Mr Browne[8] will partly understand why when great labour & much thought have been expended in getting a plate into perfect condition for the press, it is wise that such plate should be printed right out - in spite of its momentary want of popularity - .
What can I say? There is no use regretting that Mr Brown did not come over as at first proposed - I would make the people of the customs pay if possible, and perhaps the proofs may be skillfully [sic] repaired -
Mr Kennedy[9] is going to London tomorrow and you can consult with him - Kindly let me hear the result -
Very faithfully Yrs
J McN Whistler.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [3 July 1892]
This is a draft of a letter so dated, #02694.
2. Marcus Bourne Huish
Marcus Bourne Huish (1843 - d.1921), barrister, writer and art dealer, Director of the Fine Art Society [more].
3. ALdS
This is a reply to Huish's letter of 1 July 1892, #01248, telling JW that etchings sent through the post had been damaged.
4. Of course
Double underlined.
5. douanal
Fr., from 'douane', Customs.
6. no
Triple underlined.
7. intact
Double underlined.
8. Mr Browne
Ernest George Brown (1853 or 1854-1915), assistant manager at the Fine Art Society [more].
9. Mr Kennedy
Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932), dealer with H. Wunderlich and Co., New York [more].