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HENRY SAYLES FRANCIS, BOX 207, GATES MILLS, OHIO
Dec. 16. '51.

Dear Germain:-

You must excuse this long-hand, but I have been laid up, and not at the museum for some time. I had wanted to write you my impressions of Gordon's show at Pittsburgh, just after we had been to see it, shortly before it closed, & was only prevented from doing so by catching a vires germ.

Gordon, with the cooperation of leaders like yourself, certainly assembled, -and presented- a wonderful exhibit. It not only had the virtue of continuity, with unusually comprehensive representation and many unfamiliar pictures, but the quality as well as the variety lent real distinction to the whole. The section of manuscripts, & the drawings, were beautiful. And the early French panels, I was delighted to have a chance to see, together. Some are much more interesting than others; but the bringing them together was a valuable service to all of us. 

I thought both the Champaigne & the La Hire of yours looked finely. And of course I was especially interested to see the Ingres. It strikes me as a lovely picture, & one especially suited to a private collector. I should by all means show it to Leonard. I am quite frank, however, in saying that I doubt if it will be the type of picture which will tempt