System Number: 13615
Date: [December 1891][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac[2]
Place: [London?]
Repository: Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris
Call Number: Nouv. Acq. Fr. 15288, f. 89
Document Type: ALS[3]
21, CHEYNE WALK,
CHELSEA.
Monsieur le Ministre
Je suis éminement [sic] touché - mais O! grand Poète - de grâce! -
Toute pièce serait bien trop grosse dans cette atmosphère de fog - et à ce moment -
C'est à Paris dans la joie et le soleil de l'achèvement que le tableau[4] qui vous a donné tant de peine vous sera livré - Et vous saurez, Monsieur le Ministre, que ce n'est qu'après l'accrochage officielle [sic] que l'on puisse avoir recours au Budget! -
Bon Voyage cher ami -
Vous emportez nos plus affectueux souhaits.
[butterfly signature]
This document is protected by copyright.
Translation:
Dear Minister
I am eminently touched - but Oh! great Poet - mercy!
Every space would be much too large in this foggy atmosphere - and at this moment -
It is in Paris in the joy and sunshine of achievement that the picture which has given you so much trouble should be delivered to you - and you will know, Minister, that it is only after the official hanging that one can have recourse to the Budget!
Have a good journey, my dear friend -
You take with you our most affectionate wishes.
[butterfly signature]
Notes:
1. [December 1891]
Dated by Newton (see below).
2. Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac
Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac (1855-1921), Symbolist writer and poet, and collector [more].
3. ALS
Published by Newton, Joy, La Chauve-Souris et le Papillon. Correspondance Montesquiou-Whistler, Glasgow, 1990, no. 68, pp. 136-37. See JW's draft, #04148.
4. tableau
Arrangement in Black and Gold: Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac (YMSM 398). It was completed in Paris in the following year.