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you entirely on my own responsibility and not as a delegate - and have no concern whatever with the visit paid you by one of  our colleagues and with what he did or did not tell you. My letter was simply a matter of form - for I should have been justified in the strength of our conversation in proposing you for membership without further consulting you. 

I can tell you nothing about the "object" of this Society that I have not already told you. The "advancement of the artistic interests of its members" is its only object. You are acquainted

with my interpretation of this phrase. In any case - from your own reiterated expression of opinion I had every right to suppose that in belonging to a society of which I am president you would feel that your interests and dignity could suffer no harm.

Really - my dear Alexander I cannot permit myself to be flattered by your statement that my being president of this Society would be a reason for your letting your name be proposed - for - everything considered - a casual observer could but think that your present hesitation is caused solely by my holding that office. I have done what 

Transcription Notes:
Transcribed right page before left page, to preserve the order in which letter was written and reads.