New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-19
WHISTLER.
Il Tribute from One of His old
Friends.
to his time.

G. W. Smalley. in The London Times.
Upon the known facts Of Whistler's career / do
not touch 1 wish only to underline his Ameri-
canism, and TO offer you one or two personal
memories. He was AN American of the Amer
leans say the American papers, and who snail
venture TO dispute their dictum? Not I, GER
talnIy- NOT would anybody who knew Whistler
personally. knew him for many years in Lon
don and in Paris. have many letters from him
on art and other matters, some of which ought
TO be printed for his letters 10 friends were not
more carefully for print. I have books and
drawings which he gave me. mention these
things evidence that may fairly say some
thing about him, at least the personal side.
And knew on what terms he lived with the So
called art world in England, and what his own
view Of the matter
There We're but two views he was capable Of
taking-the art view and the personal view. His
enemies said the latter prevailed. do not think
It ever prevailed where art was concerned. Art
was his religion, and TO his conception of IT he
was as faithful as a Mahouetan to his Certain
things he believed in. He believed in them not
because other people did, because they had
come down TO him from earlier generations, but
because they were his by birth and by training
and by conviction. The temptation the merely
worldly temptation. the money temptation, TO
sacrifice them was very great He never did.
He was as incapable OF compromise as Luther,
and he had conscience just a implacable. I
do not believe that in the darkest days Whistler
ever so much as considered the Question Of
painting to please the public. He was his own
public, he the great men and great tradi-
tions Of the great past. He could live crust
last had not the public come round TO him. I
speaking of the British public There never
was time when his genius was not recognized
in France; not perhaps, universally or with
completeness, but sufficiently TO redeem the
French public from the reproach which fell upon
the English, If the Royal Academy may be sup
posed TO represent the English in a matter so
solemn as art. Whether Il did or not, there was
a long. long period during which, as he said
himself, popularity was the only insult that had
never been offered to him.
Well there came time when the scales fell
from the eyes Of the Royal Academicians, or
from some Of them and the council, with Leigh
ton at its head asked Whistler TO send some of
his works 10 exhibition in Burlington House
He was the same Whistler whom for a genera
ton they had despised and derided and rejected
He in Brussels. There came a telegram
from him TO me which was a cry Of exultation
MY Dear s: The Lord hath delivered them
into my hands ! am sending you by post their
last dying confession"
letter from Whistler inclosing the official pro
posal from the Royal Academy, signed by Mr..
Eaton. secretary TO that distinguished body. in
wiling Whistler 20 contribute TO a loan exhibit
ton then presently 10 be held. Whistler wrote:
"Of course, I refuse You know me too well
10 doubt that Do they think they can use me
after so long trampling on me? Do they think
I don't see what they want? Do they think I
need them2 At last they perceive that they need
me- but in the day OF their extremity they shall
lam quoting from memory. but give the sub
stance accurately. He inclosed his answer 10
the Academy, long since public document.
with permission TO cable IT If 1 liked TO Amer
ica- ] telegrsphed Whistler begging him to send
no answer TIL my letter should reach him. He
wired. I do not understand but I win wait
Till tomorrow" I wrote TO him in the best
ink as Merimee said. at my command. I tried
TO point out that the Academy had offered him
the amende honorable; that their invitation was
an acknowledgment OF their error. and was meant
as atonement: that If he sought 10 humiliate
his enemies no humiliation could be complete
their public surrender, of which the proof
would be the hanging Of his works on their walls
and much else which I thought obvious and
conclusive And ! begged him 10 remember
that had always thought him right and always
said the world would come round TO him. and
that now, ever before whether right OF
wrong, mine the counsel Of a friend The
answer came by wire early next morning:
~A1sSs zy dear s., that you too should have