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must be forced to turn from the brief glimpse of Europe and directed to a return to prosaic America. Only the realization that we were going to continue this business of painting where ever we were offered compensation.

In the Fall, with the resumption of the classes at the Academy, trying to improve on Hals was the mode for those just returned from abroad. [At this late date I don't recall that it was ever accomplished. I don't know why this would be said as dryly spoken but not so good written.

[later - after or with trip to Spain.] [It was] a constant insistence with Chase that brilliancy of execution was of first and last importance and in his great enthusiasm for Hals and Velasquez, probably above all others, this was by far his predominant interest. He gave little evidence in their presence of appreciation for the vivid characterization in their portraits and, in the case of Velasquez especially, of the general organization of the picture. When, from time to time, he painted a head or a still-life before the class it was to demonstrate the desirability of this facility, and his accomplishment of it. One never seems other than surprised to find that time agreeable occupied.

Transcription Notes:
note 1 and note 2 are incomplete