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1892

Bachivillers
par Chaumont en Vexin (Oise)
Nov. 30th

My Dear Miss Lamb

Your very welcome letter finds us still at Bachivillers & likely to be here for several weeks yet. We have lit our fires & I have closed my studio down & pasted the cracks of the very flimsy structure over with paper & feel like the "Cigale" of the fable. Though why I phoned I don't know as I certainly did not spend the summer in laughing & dancing, but in the hardest of work. You complain of the rush of the life in America "a qui le dite vous" as the French say. Haven't I been in constant communication with 



by Degas, not from nature. I prefer his landscape when used as background for his figures - 

I send you with this some photographs of the center canvass which I had taken for "Mrs Palmer & the ladies of the Committee." They even wanted literature, a description
of my picture! Poor M Durand Ruel & his daughters were here a little while ago & thought I had given them too much for their money. One thing I have learned, the absolute necessity for systems in painting. Picture your pallette. I know you told me Hunt said not, but he was wrong, Delacroix had a most elaborate pallett & it is very evident the old masters had & did not indulge one happy go lucky style.  My Mother & I propose to go to Pisa when I get through provided I am not entirely penniless by that time. Do let me hear from you, when you have time. We remember your visit with so much pleasure.  My Mother joins in kindest regards & hopes of meeting again
Yours affectionately
Mary Cassatt

Transcription Notes:
Bachivillers par Chaumont en Vexin (Oise) Your very welcome letter finds us still at Bachivillers... ...the cracks of the very flimsy... ...but in the hardest of work... You complain about the rush of the life... ...communication with M Degas...