Documents associated with: travel, US
Record 11 of 11
System Number: 01531
Date: 1 August 1902
Author: Charles Lang Freer[1]
Place: Antwerp
Recipient: JW
Place: [The Hague]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler F463
Document Type: ALS[2]
SCHMITT-SPAENHOVEN
HÔTEL ST-ANTOINE
ANVERS
ANVERS, LE August 1st 1902
9 P. M.
Dear Mr Whistler:-
Since my earlier letter[3] of today most delightful things have happened -
Mr Rey[4] has telephoned and told me of your kind telegram sent to Bologne and other pleasant news. Already from him has arrived a copy of the charming message, and another of todays date, direct from yourself and the ladies[5] is here - And now, to fill my cup of happiness comes your beautiful letter[6] of this afternoon -
As the missed ship[7] rushed out of the harbour without me [p. 2] the faithful Stefano[8] murmured mysteriously "good luck will come to you for this accident" -
It is already here - But it would be still more perfect if instead of sending written thoughts I could go to you all in person as was the habit for so many evenings -
Let us see! Why not reverse the route and you and the ladies come to me? October is the best month in America - My little home is most simple and my kind of entertainment is still simpler - But if you will come and try it for a [p. 3] while you will be sure to find a warm welcome - Do come -
And again with best wishes and affectionate regard to you all
Always faithfully
Charles L. Freer
P. S.
Two of the ladies who crossed in the same steamer with me a year ago and who occupied seats at my table arrived here an hour ago and told me they are to sail on the same steamer with me tomorrow -
More good luck!
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Notes:
1. Charles Lang Freer
Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919), industrialist, collector and founder of the Freer Gallery of Art [more].
2. ALS
Published in Merrill, Linda, With Kindest Regards. The Correspondence of Charles Lang Freer and James McNeill Whistler, 1890-1903, Washington and London, 1995, no. 73, pp. 172-173.
3. earlier letter
See C. L. Freer to JW, #01530.
4. Mr Rey
Rey, a mutual acquaintance of JW and C. L. Freer.
5. ladies
Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), JW's sister-in-law [more] and Ethel Whibley (1861-1920), née Philip, JW's sister-in-law [more]. For the telegrams sent by JW, see #11598 (dated 31 July 1902) and #11599 (dated 1 August 1902).
6. letter
See JW to C. L. Freer, #03199.
7. missed ship
Freer had just missed his return passage to America as he had been given the wrong departure time by the steamer agent in The Hague (see #01530).
8. Stefano
Stefano, possibly a servant of C. L. Freer.