System Number: 04828
Date: 6 November 1901
Author: Rosalind Birnie Philip[1]
Place: Paris
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler P468
Document Type: ALS
110. Rue du Bac.
Paris.
Nov: 6th 1901.
My dear General.
You will no doubt have heard by this time from Mr Webb[2] so that there will be no need to repeat the story of the visit to Kelly[3]. But on the way out we came upon Bodington[4] who had written to Ratier[5] the other day & in answer had received the lease which had been found. So that is all right. I had wanted to have read bits of your letter to Kelly both about Carmen[6] & the necessity of getting hold of her soon for fear of her hurried departure from Paris, also about Ratier.
But our interview with that [p. 2] gentleman was standing up, & even by following him into the hall, for he kept his hat on. He was accompanying a lady whom he addressed as Miss "Somebody" clearly showing his business was pleasure, for in a feeble way she offered to wait for him, but he was down the stairs before anything more could be said. But even on the way down the first flight of stairs we tried to impress him with the urgency of the case. It was always the same reply, "I do not receive in the afternoon".
Mrs Addams[7] came in the middle of our letter to Webb so that we had a great rush to the Gare du Nord.
Her business was to ask a favour but it was to wait until our return [p. 3] to London. It was only about their studio being very noisy & they contemplated, if it met with your approval, of moving to London next year (for they have the present place on a lease of one year). Their [illegible] I asked if she had seen or heard anything of Carmen. The valise had been returned that morning by Carmen's younger sister[8] who had taken it to "Clifford's studio[9]," with a message that Carmen would pass "chez Madame Addams" in a week or two. The child also seemed very anxious to get away.
I gathered from her that they had not been impressed with Mr Kelly's powers in the Bagot[10] business, but she said that perhaps it came from prejudice as she & her husband had met him out at dinner, & his conversation struck her as being exceedingly frivolous [p. 4] In fact her opinion was that [her?] everyone in the firm was too busy. Addams had spent two whole morning's waiting!
Your letter enclosing the key came quite safely.
Maple's[11] have been told to come & we are waiting a reply.
There is no more news. We hope that you are taking great care of yourself.
And with love.
Always affectionately.-
The Major.
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Notes:
1. Rosalind Birnie Philip
Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), JW's sister-in-law [more]. JW called her 'Major' and himself 'General'.
2. Mr Webb
William Webb (b. ca 1851), of G. and W. Webb, lawyer [more].
3. Kelly
Kelly, lawyer, partner in Boddington and Kelly.
4. Bodington
Oliver Eaton Bodington (1859-after 1936), barrister and author [more].
5. Ratier
Antoine ('Antony') Ratier (b. 1851), lawyer and politician [more].
6. Carmen
Carmen Rossi, model, proprietess of the Académie Carmen [more]. She was suspected of stealing work from JW.
7. Mrs Addams
Inez Eleanor Addams (fl. 1898-1927), née Bate, painter [more].
8. Carmen's younger sister
Not identified.
9. Clifford's studio
Clifford Isaac Addams (1876-1942), etcher [more].
10. Bagot
Not identified.
11. Maple's
Packers and removers, who were to take furniture and china from 110 rue du Bac to JW's house in London.