The Gentle Art of Making Enemies Part 39

_Auto-Biographical_

_TO THE EDITOR:_

[Sidenote: _Pall Mall Gazette_, July 28, 1891.]

Sir,--May I request that you allow me to make known, through your influential paper, the fact that the canvas, now shown as a completed work of mine, at Messrs. Dowdeswell's, representing three draped figures in a conservatory, is a painting long ago barely begun, and thrown aside for destruction?

Also I am in no way responsible for the taste of the frame with its astonishments of plus.h.!.+ and varied gildings.

I think it not only just to myself to make this statement, but right that the public should be warned against the possible purchase of a picture in no way representative, and, in its actual condition, absolutely worthless.--I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

_Chelsea, July 27, 1891._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_Mr. Whistler "had on his own Toast"_

_TO THE EDITOR:_

[Sidenote: _Pall Mall Gazette_, Aug. 1, 1891.]

Sir,--I have read with interest Mr. Whistler's letter in your issue of July 28. I happened to be at Messrs. Dowdeswell's galleries the other day and saw the picture he refers to. It was not on public exhibition, but was in one of their private rooms, and was brought out for my inspection _a propos_ of a conversation we were having. Now, so far from Messrs. Dowdeswell showing it as a "completed work," they distinctly spoke of it as unfinished; nor can I imagine any one acquainted with Mr. Whistler's works speaking of any of them as "completed!" In "L'Envoi" of the catalogue of his exhibition held at Messrs. Dowdeswell's a short time ago I find the following paragraph from his pen:--"The work of the master reeks not of the sweat of the brow--suggests no effort--and _is finished from its beginning_." The only inference possible is either that Mr. Whistler is not a master, or that the work is finished! He has, however, spent what time he could spare from his literary labours in endeavouring to induce the world to believe that the slightest scratch from his pen is worthy to rank with "Las Lanzas," and I am therefore surprised to learn that he has altered his opinion. Still, I quite agree with him when he tells us that some of his work is "absolutely worthless!"--I am, sir, more in sorrow than in anger, your obedient servant,

W. C.

_July 31, 1891._

_What "Mr. Whistler had on his own Toast"_

_TO THE EDITOR:_

[Sidenote: _Pall Mall Gazette_, Aug. 4, 1891.]

Sir,--My letter should have met with no reply at all. It was a statement--authoritative and unanswerable, if there ever were one.

Because of the attention drawn to it, in the press, I felt called upon to advise the Public that one of _my own works_ is condemned _by myself_. Final this, one would fancy!

That the accidental owners of the Gallery should introduce themselves to the situation, is of a most marked irrelevancy. They come in _comme un cheveu sur la soupe_, to be removed at once.

The dealer's business is to buy and sell. In the course of such traffic, these same busy picture bodies, without consulting me, put upon the market a painting that I, the author, intended to efface--and, thanks to your courtesy, I have been enabled to say so effectually in your journal.

All along have I carefully destroyed plates, torn up proofs, and burned canvases, that the truth of the quoted word shall prevail, and that the future collector shall be spared the mortification of cataloguing his pet mistakes.

To destroy, is to remain.

What is commercial irritation beside a clean canvas?

What is a gentlemanly firm in Bond Street beside Eternity?--I am, sir, your obedient servant,

_Chelsea, August 1, 1891._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_NOCTURNES, MARINES, AND CHEVALET PIECES_

_A CATALOGUE_

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_SMALL COLLECTION KINDLY LENT THEIR OWNERS_

"_THE VOICE OF A PEOPLE_"

"I do not know when so much amus.e.m.e.nt has been afforded to the British public as by Mr. Whistler's pictures."

_Speech of the Attorney-General of England.

Westminster, Nov. 16, 1878._

1.--NOCTURNE.

GREY AND SILVER--CHELSEA EMBANKMENT--WINTER.

_Lent by F. G. Orchar, Esq._

"With the exception, perhaps, of one of Mr. Whistler's meaningless canvases, there is nothing that is actually provocative of undue mirth or ridicule."

_City Press._