System Number: 04383
Date: [4 April 1888][1]
Author: JW
Place: [London]
Recipient: William Thomas Stead[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler P22
Document Type: ALd
Mr. Whistler's Ten O'clock -
To the Editor Pall Mall Gazette -
Sir -
My apologies, I pray you, to the much disturbed gentleman, "Your Reviewer," who complains that I have allowed "just three weeks" to go by without noticing his writing.
Let me hasten, lest he be further offended, to acknowledge his answer, in Saturday's paper.
After much matter, he comes unexpectedly upon a clear understanding of my letter - "It will be observed," he says naïvely, "that Mr Whistler is merely seeking to create an impression that your Reviewer never saw the work he criticized," - herein he is absolutely completely right, this is absolutely the impression I did seek to create ,- "which," he continues, "is surely not a creditable He further "declares" that position to take up" - Far from me to propose that the position of "your Reviewer" again I agree with him, far from me to find creditable was his taking up such a position! - and admit the small credit to his position sad spectacle presented by of a Reviewer presents, ofin such position -
He further "declares", and "calls upon you," Sir, "to corroborate" him "that a printed copy of Mr. Whistler's misleading lecture was pleased [sic] in my hands for review" - and moreover, that "the notice did not appear until the pamphlet was duly advertised by Messrs. Chatto & Windus as ready".
Of course the lecture
Pausing to wonder note that if the lecture had not seemed misleading to him, it would surely not have been worth uttering at all, let us I come to the copy in question - this could only have been a printed proof, quaintly acquired - as will be seen by the following letter from Messrs Chatto & Windus which I must beg you, Sir, to publish with mythis note - as it deals also with the remaining point, the advertisement of the pamphlet -
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [4 April 1888]
Dated from published version at #10937 (also published in Whistler, James McNeill, The Gentle Art of Making Enemies, 2nd ed., London and New York, 1892, pp. 247-48).
2. William Thomas Stead
William Thomas Stead (1849-1912), editor of the Pall Mall Gazette from 1883-1890, founder-editor of the Review of Reviews in 1890 [more].