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249

#33 Ferry Avenue,
Detroit, Michigan,
September 7th, 1901.

Dear Mr. Chapman:--

On my recent return from a couple of days of pleasant fishing, I found your kind letter of August 21st, and I desire to thank you most sincerely for putting "The Symphony in Silver and Pink" within my reach, and I only hesitate from requesting you to send the picture along because of the fact that I feel that I am not familiar enough with it to make the purchase without better acquaintance.  I am too much in the dark.  You will remember, the only time I ever saw it was on a rather dark day, and there was little, if any, light in your hall at the time.  To be sure, I am aware that every picture by Mr. Whistler has interest, but, of course, like the work of all other men, they differ tremendously in quality.  In adding to my little group of his things, I wish to obtain only such examples as will take strong hold of my affections.  Now, it may be that if I were to see your picture properly lighted, I would delight in its possession.  Of course, the opposite is also possible.  For these reasons, I regret to say that I cannot now decide to buy it.  If all goes well, I am quite sure to be in England sometime next