New-York tribune., 1909-02-21

A fortnight ago we reproduced in this place
NJ Arthur Studd's letter TO the London
s7Trnes" on the whistler memorial, stating that
fbe artist had impaired in the most categori-
raj manner his last wishes. which were that
bis work should be his only monument" With
this was given letter Of Mr. Joseph PennelPs,
informing the same paper that Mr.. Studd had
admitted his inability ito produce some posi-
tive proof Of his statement in so far as il re-
lated to the memorial by III Rodin about to be
erected in Chelsea" This correspondence has
provoked an editorial In THE Times from
Ehich the following extracts are taken:
We cannot ATTEMPT TO decide which Of Whistler's
competing friends has the best knowledge and
rate, 10 have inherited the feudS which he prose-
cuted with so much zeal in his lifetime, and per-
iaps they may be taken TO represent different
ficung clements in his mixed and curious char.
acter. But II We assume, entlreIy Tor the sake OF
argument, that Whistler did really express the
wish that his works should be his only monument.
The question stil remains whether that wish is
binding upon the admirers Of his art. The
wishes Of dying man are irrevocable; but they
may be the result OF q passing irritation or ca
p1ce. Now Whistler was VIGOROUSLY irrita-
It may be that he said he sfd not wish to be
conmenorated il any way in England If So the
e MS whole attitude towards this country. Whist
Ter was always quarreIling with England and the
Lo1don from his feet But he always returned to
4; and apparently for this reason, that he could
Lot be happy unless he QuarTel1ng with his
surroundings, and that other people suffered
him TO quarrel so gladly When he was in London
he could enjoy himself in telling every Of the
superiority CT Paris and New York: and every one
was quite content that he should enjoy himself so.
The English attitude to Whistler was the attitude
q the coalneaNeT who when asked why he al
lowed his wife 10 beat him, replied Because II
Sesses her and doesn't hurt me-"
II was part Of his fun to pretend that his genius
vas recognized everywhere except in England As
matter Of fact his works sold far more in Eng
l2nd than anywhere else. It is true that he did
1ot get Official recognition here. he got it in
The Luxembourg. But then 'tofficial recognition
Gees not here he knew perfectly well; and,
ance he could impute the lack of il to English
stupidity. doubt il gave him considerable salts
faction
Ne may take IL therefore, that Whistler's desire
% have nc monument in England. II he ever had
= or expressed II, all Of piece with his whole
Behay7or 20 this country No EngliShman took his
eldIlaon OF England seriously while he was alive,
because he himself proved that il was not serious
W living In London: and. since he WIS able TO
z3oy himself among Us only because we did not
axe II Seriously we entitled, now that he Is
oead. 10 treat IL with the same Indifference. II he
Is 70 have a monument anywhere, London, where
e liVed so long and produced many OF his
NEST works IS the proper place for 1t
tAefe1ore. in honOTing the memory OF Whistler
We ignore all that he pleased TO say against
ourseiFes and, II he said that he did not wish US
% nonorT him. regard thsS wish q mere ca
MleFs, 10 be ignored, like his other CaprtceS now
Ilst ne Is dead and only the best Of him remains.
Ano We do not think that his friends are doing
s0od service 70 his fame ~ reminding Us In their