Viewing page 13 of 29

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Ansd
Jan 31/17

(Translation)

Charles L. Freer, Esquire.

Honoured Sir:

Great though the distance that separates China from the United States, and rare though the correspondence that passes between us, yet you have ever been present in my thoughts; and that you may always enjoy the best of health so as to avail yourself fully of the blessings of happiness has been my constant prayer. 

In your spare hours, I believe you continue to take pleasure in collecting specimens of the pictorial art, and your collection of Chinese paintings has therefore been considerably increased, both in value and in number.

With some of my friends here possessing tastes in common, I have often discussed the six canons of art, and the frequency of these discussions has engendered in me a habit which is fast becoming a second nature. 
 
During the recent changes in China, some collectors, of both the North and the South, have, on account of the difficulties of the times, been compelled to part with their ancient paintings. I have endeavoured, to the best of my ability, to acquire the best of these, in the hope of submitting them to your critical judgement; but as the multiplicity of my affairs prevents me from making a trip to your country myself, I have requested my cousin Pang Tszu-ch'en to bring them to you, trusting that they will be favourably commented upon by you whose profound knowledge of Chinese paintings has much to teach us.  
  
As a slight token of the high esteem I have for you, permit me to present to you two pottery articles of the Ming period from the kiln of Chen Ming-yuen, and a complete set of the P'ei Wen Chai Shu Hua P'u, the Imperial Encyclopaedia of Calligraphy and Painting. I pray you to 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-03-22 16:18:51 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-03-27 13:52:58 . ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-05 09:29:50