System Number: 13599
Date: [7/8 May 1891?][1]
Author: Beatrix Whistler[2]
Place: London
Recipient: Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac[3]
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris
Call Number: Nouv. Acq. Fr. 15335, f. 61
Document Type: ALS[4]
21 CHEYNE WALK,
CHELSEA.
Dear Monsieur de Montesquiou.
Jimmie is greatly mortified and surprised, for like any ordinary mortal, he has been a victim to the common epidemic, Influenza!!
He is still very weak, that is why it comes about that I send you this English puzzle in reply to your last "Enigma in Rose and Gray"[5] which you must come back to read to us yourself, for really this time you have surpassed yourself, in the mysterious beauty of your caligraphy[6] [sic] -
However, my invalid is getting rapidly better, and will be ready in a few days to finish the "Black Lord"[7] if you will come back and help him.
You have no idea how splendid he is in the new frame - !
Come and see!
Always sincerely
Beatrix Whistler.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [7/8 May 1891?]
Dated by reference to influenza (see JW to E. G. Kennedy, 30 April 1891, #09671, and W. E. Henley to JW, 8 May 1891, #04250).
2. Beatrix Whistler
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].
3. Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac
Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac (1855-1921), Symbolist writer and poet, and collector [more].
4. ALS
Published in Newton, Joy, La Chauve-Souris et le Papillon. Correspondance Montesquiou-Whistler, Glasgow, 1990, no. 48, pp. 101-03.
5. Enigma in Rose and Gray
Montesquiou's letter of 6 May 1891 was written on pink paper and sent in a grey envelope.
6. Caligraphy
Montesquiou's writing had so many twiddles and curlicues that it was practically a new and unique form of hieroglyphics.
7. Black Lord
See Impressions de gris perle: Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac (YMSM 397), which was never completed, and Arrangement in Black and Gold: Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac (YMSM 398).