Documents associated with: book, Eden v Whistler, publication
Record 12 of 12
System Number: 08799
Date: [2/5 December 1898][1]
Author: JW
Place: [Paris]
Recipient: William Heinemann[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC
Document Type: ALS
'[ca. 1898]'
The Whistler Case -
We are enabled to give our readers some of the salient points in the eloquent speech by Maitre Beurdeley[3], Mr. Whistler's Advocate in the now Cause celebre together with his conclusion -
After laying before the Court the whole story, from the approach of Sir William Eden[4], through by the intervention of his friend X common Mr Moore[5], to the completion of the portrait, and the bestowal of the famous Valentine upon Mr. Whistler, Maitre Beurdeley continues:
Something like this as an opening - have copied Send round at once to Pall Mall[6] and see if they wish to put it in properly -
If not, send it where you think best - The Morning Post[7] I can manage from here with their man - Why not Westminster or St James's[8] - but of course the Pall Mall best -
Beurdeleys at once - and the Avocat Général's[9] the day after - say both together on thursday and friday - You will know how - but Beurdeley must get his bit as well as the Avocat Général - The Avocat G is superb! - a wonderful poem! I have marked for translation the parts - but send you the entire work that you may enjoy it - You can get your people to translate easy tomorrow - or some one at the paper itself -
How are you?! and why don't you write!
Wire receipt without fail!
[butterfly signature]
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [2/5 December 1898]
Dated from the judgement in the case of Eden v Whistler on 2 December 1898 (see below).
2. William Heinemann
William Heinemann (1863-1920), publisher [more], is the most likely recipient of this letter.
3. Maitre Beurdeley
Paul Beurdeley (1842-after 1902), advocate at the Cour d'Appel, Paris [more].
4. Sir William Eden
Sir William Eden (1849-1915), painter and collector [more]. In 1894, JW quarrelled with Eden over the completion of Brown and Gold: Portrait of Lady Eden (YMSM 408), a portrait of Eden's wife. Eden instituted legal proceedings against him in 1894. Judgement was delivered in JW's favour by the Cour d'Appel in Paris on 2 December 1897 (see #01037). See also JW's account of the affair: Whistler, James McNeill, Eden versus Whistler: The Baronet and the Butterfly. A Valentine with a Verdict, Paris and New York, 1899 [GM, A.24].
5. Mr Moore
George Moore (1852-1933), novelist and art critic [more], first introduced Eden to JW.
6. Pall Mall
The Pall Mall Gazette, a London newspaper.
7. Morning Post
See JW to Douglas, #07929.
8. Westminster or St James's
The Westminster Review (or possibly the Westminster Budget) and the St James Gazette.
9. Avocat Général's
Lé Bulot (1850-1922), barrister, Advocate general[more].