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d'art" in the Louvre.

Before their deaths Whistler, Gillot and DeGoncourt were of their circle.

The dinner was attended by every member of the club now living, including Baron Motono, the Japanese Minister in France. The affair was most interesting and steps were then taken for the holding of an International Exhibition of Japanese Art to be held in Paris either next year or the year following. The idea is a pretty one --- the collectors of Japanese art residing anywhere outside of Japan are to be invited to loan masterpieces. And eventually similar exhibitions will be held in England, Germany and America.

While in Edinburgh I attended the memorial exhibition of Mr. Whistler's work given under the auspices of the Royal Scottish Academy. It included some magnificent pictures, but in no wise compared with Boston in variety, completeness, arrangement or effect.

Next year, both London and Paris are to vie with each other in similar memorials and it is likely that great strife will grow up between the two cities in their endeavors to secure the loan of pictures. I shall cast my lot with Paris because of my belief that Mr. Whistler cared little for the English view of art and a great deal for that of France. Again, the English show is being gotten up by individuals who have proven traitorous to Mr. Whistler's estate, and are too closely mixed up in "The International Society of Painters, Etchers, and Engravers".

While the French exhibition will be managed either by the authorities of the Luxembourg or the Louvre, or, possibly both.

You will delight with me in the acquisition of the "Peacock Room" and a few other treasures by the master which have fallen under my future care. The "Peacock Room" has been taken out of the Leyland house and re-erected in Obach's galleries where it will soon be publicly exhibited --- after which it will be shipped to me. The matter of my ownership at my own urgent request is to be kept secret for a time at least. Please treat it confidentially.

I am to sail on the "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" on the 8th inst. and when this letter reaches you I shall most likely be settled down again at Detroit.

With all good wishes for luck, health and happiness, I am,
Faithfully
Charles L. Freer.
Long hand.