Documents associated with: club see society
Record 5 of 27
System Number: 10725
Date: 16 July [1868][1]
Author: JW
Place: [London]
Recipient: James Anderson Rose[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscripts Division, Pennell Whistler Collection, PWC 2/46/17
Document Type: ALS
Thursday 16 July
Dear Rose -
I want much to see you - and will come down if I don't hear from you to the contrary tomorrow at 6 - Something more about the Burlington[3] and Haden[4] -
Ever yours
J. A. McN. Whistler -
J. Anderson Rose Esq -
[p. 2] 'Whistler 16[5] July 1868'
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Whistler 16 ... 1868
Written in another hand, probably that of J. A. Rose's clerk.
2. 16 July [1868]
Year date from day of week and references to Burlington and Haden (see notes below).
3. James Anderson Rose
James Anderson Rose (1819-1890), solicitor [more].
4. Burlington
A reference to the Burlington Fine Arts Club, founded early in 1866. It was located at 177, Piccadilly. JW was proposed as a member on 22 February 1867 (see William Boxall (1800-1879), portrait painter, Director of the National Gallery [more], Louis Huth (1821-1905), collector [more] and the Vittorio Emanuelle Taparelli (1816-1890), Marquis D'Azeglio, Sardinian Ambassador and collector [more], proposers, #11957).
5. Haden
Francis Seymour Haden (1818-1910), surgeon and etcher, JW's brother-in-law [more]. In April 1867, JW quarrelled with Haden, over his treatment of James Reeves Traer (ca 1834 - d.1867), partner in F. S. Haden's medical practice [more]. Traer died on a trip to Paris, allegedly in a brothel. Haden arranged for Traer's burial, with what JW and his brother William regarded as unseemly haste. Haden later claimed that in the resulting confrontation, JW had pushed him through a plate glass window. Both JW and Haden were members of the Burlington Club and in the aftermath of the Traer affair, Haden campaigned for JW to be excluded from the club (JW to L. Huth, #02240). JW was expelled at a general meeting of the Club on 13 December (see JW to W. Boxall, #00498). On 4 February 1868, in a new development, JW received a letter from Haden's solicitor, Wrentmore & Son (#11981). It requested that he state the full details and context regarding 'certain reflections which you are reported to have made on the character and conduct of our Client Mr. Francis Seymour Haden.' JW sought out J. A. Rose's advice. However, the sparring between the two sides continued and on 14 July, JW wrote to Haden (#01939) threatening to 'make known every where' the 'facts' of the case. Wrentmore & Son responded with a counter claim that JW's letter threatened 'the publication of a Libel' (see #07137). This letter to Rose is JW's response.