System Number: 10943
Date: 22 June 1888
Author: Marion Henry Spielmann[1]
Place: [London]
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Call Number: bMS Eng. 1352 (8)
Credit Line: Published by permission of the Houghton Library, Harvard University
Document Type: ALdS
22 June 88.
My dear Whistler,
Had I known that my outspokenness would have so vexed you I should have been more restrained. But as you are generally in the habit of criticizing others freely I thought didnt think you would mind being told the truth.
I'm afraid your intended "point" as to my being a "professional journalist" doesn't [p. 2] "hook on" as your countrymen say. I presume a magazine editor must be that, whether you like it or not.
Your fears with respect to Be not downcast: the Wyke Bayliss[2] interview are groundless
. It is full is full of matter & possibilities.
You say now my virtues are "small". Before I refused to obey your behests conveyed by your too-zealous assistant[3], you said told me they were "great". Tout Cela [p. 3] s'explique.
You do me too much honour. Both the brown-paper-covered "work" & the Agenda-paper & report of the Society (of which you sent down to deny the accuracy? if Eh? Ha, Ha!) were not neither sought for nor "quaintly acquired". They were simply both sent in!
And do you consider it a lack of dignity of the Press that [p. 4] they should be to notice
both the lecture & the Society. Who would have thought that the Great Whistler would have betrayed himself into "a Confession"!
Fare you well.
M. H. S.
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Notes:
1. Marion Henry Spielmann
Marion Henry Alexander Spielmann (1858-1948), journalist and writer on art [more]. This is a draft for #03770, written in reply to JW's letter, #10942. See #03770 for full annotation.
2. Wyke Bayliss
Wyke Bayliss (1835-1906), painter and architect [more].
3. too-zealous assistant
Charles James Whistler Hanson (1870-1935), engineer, son of JW and Louisa Fanny Hanson [more].