d 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 gentlema