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[[[left side]]
I hoped and waited to get one from Sargent but like the starving man with a meal in front of him, I could not wait longer and have presented my letter with a sketch made on the Thames. And expect tomorrow to hear from it.

There is really no difficulty in getting in, and by the time you receive this I shall have started, and have [[strikethrough]] started [[/strikethrough]] completed a [[underline]] masterpiece [[\underline]].

My days here seem to pass like lightning. This is a rich city for subjects. Fine atmosphere, and after Footh's great [[underline]] kindness [[\underline]] I am most certainly inclined to stay here. I am sketching all the time and find that, that is a sure way of keeping the hand in, but when that meeting with Sargent takes place I shall know after putting a few questions to him just what he would consider the wisest plan and if he says for me to go to Paris &c I shall do so. Every body says he is the grandest man in the profession but one of the most offish. I find him so.

I have not yet begun the French 

[[right side]]
And in the meantime steadfastly hold to the idea (the truth) that it is best to paint in the galleries than the schools here. And even if advised to go to Paris I should not leave here until I had finished three pictures I'm aching to copy. A Turner, a Velasque [[Velazquez]], and an exquisite Raphael.

It would be foolish to leave, before at least these, were done. Each one has a grand lesson for me. The Rapheal [[Raphael]] will awake me to the way in which one must work to get soul in a womans face, and to arrange color contrasts. The Turner will teach me the way to get distance in sky, and on land. The Velasque [[Velazquez]] will tell me how to use my brush. The artists all say there is work under that roof and lessons that would fill many months. I saw some of the copies being made there last week. A few were nearly as good as the originals, but the majority were hideous attempts. Twice a week one is allowed to copy. (on Thursday and Friday) but a permission has to be granted by the government officials. An example of ones work has to be handed in; unless one can get a card from a recognized master.