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90

#33 Ferry Avenue,
Detroit, Michigan, 
December 12th, 1901.

My dear Mr. Koopman:--

Your good letter of last Sunday comes to me while I am in the midst of friends, including Professor Fenollosa, who is my guest here for a few days, and in reply to same, I am compelled to dictate these few lines.

What you said about Art in New York is certainly very true. What a pity it all is! But I wonder if, in reality, New York differs greatly from the rest of the world? Selfishness seems to be universal. In the days of the early Renaissance in Italy, and still earlier, when the great art of Japan and China was at its best, encouragement and appreciation were supreme and, of course, under friendly encouragement, the Goddess was more frequent in her visits to the home of the artists. We must, I suppose, however, live in the age and environment in which we find ourselves, and take our chances as to results. 

Now, I hope, dear Mr. Koopman, you will find contentment, happiness and success in your new travels. 

I am sorry that during your stay in this country, I have not met you more frequently. Whenever I have been in New York, the