System Number: 13121
Date: [September/October 1887?][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Horace Henry Cauty[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Victoria and Albert Museum: Archives of Art and Design, London
Call Number: RBA WHI 22
Document Type: ALS
BEEFSTEAK CLUB,
KING WILLIAM STREET,
STRAND, W. C.
Certainly my dear Cauty! -
by all means write a friendly & pretty letter to Mr Caffieri[3] - why not! -
Tell him that we could have better spared a less charming man! - which is true - and nice - and pleasant! -
Indeed it would be sweet of you, if you were to add a personal message from me, of regret at his withdrawal -
This is all to the good - and altogether [p. 2] a very different affair from officially continuing the ridiculous piece of "routine", as you say, the result of the timidity & hesitation characteristic of the late Society in Suffolk Street -
Have no fear my dear Mr Secretary, 'routine' there shall be - and plenty of it - where routine means order and method and good manners - and the "tape" on the table shall be "red" - and fresh - and smart - but we have no use for the worn and soiled old string that barely sufficed to hold together the bundle of small debts that did duty for official documents in days gone by -
Always
[butterfly signature]
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [September 1887?]
Dated by reference to the new status of the RBA.
2. Horace Henry Cauty
Horace Henry Cauty (1846-1909), historical and genre painter [more].
3. Mr Caffieri
Hector Caffieri (1847-1932), artist [more]. An earlier letter on this subject, from JW to Cauty, is #13101. A motion 'To elect a member to serve on the Hanging Committee in place of Mr Caffieri (resigned)' was put to the RBA meeting on 1 November 1887 (#05214).