New-York tribune., 1908-12-27
M1TTERS OF ART.
Another Pretty Disturbance O0er
UhistIer's Bones.

" HlSftPF s Dunes.
II will presently become difficult TO keep track
of all the little eddies of personalia swiriing
around the name and fame of Whistler Or the
resentment shown by more than one person
mentioned in the PenneI biography we have al
ready taken note and more observations IKE
those of Miss Birnie Philip and Mr.. Walter
Sickert are doubtless to be expected. Mean
while there is an amusing little episode tc be
recorded with reference to the recent dedication
of the Whistler house at Lowell. Under the au-
spices of the Art Association of that city the
affair made very interesting, loan exhl-
bition of works by American painters being
one of the features. Governor Guild and other
notabiiities were present and the purpose of
the meeting was accomplished in what would
appear to have been a delightfully."- informal
manner. The episode mentioned above is thus
described in The Boston Transcript:
Rev Mr. Billings. vice-president made brief
OF me history I 4hd b I ratheT
defended Whistler from the aspersions of unknown
his patriotism. This letter of Mr. Pennelrs took
the ground that it was jealousy of great work and
un-American attitude OF some Americans" toward
TO find SO patriotic an American as James McNeilI
whistler" and maintained that the fact
hcqrt Of England proved that ''he had courage
and determination far beyond the conception of
IT may, Of course be asked Mr. Pennen con.
tfnued. why whistler kept up his Americanism if
want him for years Many people in America do
not now. But it might to them that it
would have been easy at any moment for Whistler
to become distinguished citizen of any country
in Europe, he only remained American because
lie and wanted to remain In other
country would great artist be insuIted by ms
compatriots because he did not live within the
boundaries of their frontier.
With great good sense Governor Guild briefly
commented this prodigious deliverance. II
shah not go into joint debate" he said, with
one who is absent. l shall not discuss the
plessions in regard the United States to which
Mr.. Penneu has given utterance. l merely desire
TO file my opposition to the opinion these ex-
press. Some of us may regret statements
that Mr. Whistler may may not have made
y is not necessary to discuss that question This
memorial is erected to him because he was a
great artist, and because as a great artist ne
performed a service to the world and humanity"
According to The Transcript" the Governor
slnline!y expressed a hope that the late James
Mcneil Whistler was worthy of all the praise
ing resisted tie temptation to belong to an
pther ration and remained an American. 1t is
2ot surprising to read that ripple of amuse-
1nent passed over the room. Much is it to be re-
GREETED, however, that Whistler should not =:
Allowed to rest in his grave undisturbed by the
tactIessness of too Jealous admirers Doubtless
a life like his full of waspish incidents, was
bound to be followed by just these posthumous
acrimones. But the war of words ought soon
t. be dropped he will he made, for q time,
thing in the world that he did know
how to be- bore.