System Number: 04830
Date: 7 November 1901
Author: Rosalind Birnie Philip[1]
Place: Paris
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler P470
Document Type: ALS
110. Rue du Bac.
Paris.
Nov: 7th 1901.
My dear General -
your letter with enclosure for Bodington[2] came quite safely this morning.
We are so sorry you are having such a bad time with the fog and hope that your throat is better to-day.
The fog still continues here and it is very cold. We are feeling in a better mood just now having come in from a visit to Bodington.
We went armed with the various letters & asked to see Mr Bodington.
I had thought of opening the interview with Thil[3] but before anything could be done Bodington said "I understand you have been turned over to me & Mr Kelly[4] [p. 2] has written to Mr Whistler".
So that was all right & he certainly seems more business like than his partner. He told us how a clerk had been sent to Carmen[5] saying that the lawyers of the American Embassy would like to see her, not mentioning any names. She immediately said is it about Mr Whistler, but the clerk said no, that he did not know who Monsieur Whistler was. This was quite true as your name had not been mentioned to him. She then went upstairs to put on her hat, but Rossi[6] appeared & would not let her go, saying that he must have a written notice from the lawyers.
So they have made an appointment [p. 3] for her either to-day at 2-o'clock or tomorrow at 10. They had received no answer but were awaiting results!
Mr & Mrs Addams[7] came last night and I gave your message.
She looked rather ill, & poor Gourdiflot[8] with a bad cough looking decidedly ill.
But there was nothing new. Maples[9] start on Monday so that so that we shall be thinking of returning soon.
I think you shall send me along another cheque. I will not cash it if I can help it. But the taxes had to be paid up here & Euphrasie[10] & the various daily things which all mount up. I told Bodington the taxes were all paid here & he said that was right as they might require the receipts. This must go.
With much love from us both.
The Major.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Rosalind Birnie Philip
Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), JW's sister-in-law [more]. JW called her 'Major' and himself 'General'.
2. Bodington
Oliver Eaton Bodington (1859-after 1936), barrister and author [more].
3. Thil
André Thil (fl. 1877-1901), JW's landlord at 110 rue du Bac, Paris [more].
4. Mr Kelly
Kelly, lawyer, partner in Boddington and Kelly.
5. Carmen
Carmen Rossi, model, proprietess of the Académie Carmen [more].
6. Rossi
Rossi, possibly a piano tuner, husband of JW's model Carmen [more].
7. Mr & Mrs Addams
Clifford Isaac Addams (1876-1942), etcher [more], Inez Eleanor Addams (fl. 1898-1927), née Bate, painter [more].
8. Gourdiflot
Probably a name for Addams.
9. Maples
Furniture removers.
10. Euphrasie
Euphrasie, JW's servant at 110 Rue du Bac.