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78

33 Ferry Avenue, East,
Detroit, Michigan,
February 15th, 1909.

Dear Church:-
It was a real pleasure to receive "Pete's" message from Panther Mountain, concerning the exhibition by the Spaniard now on at the Hispanic Society's Gallery in New York. I happened to be in your city on the day of the opening and went early to avoid the crowd and was thus enabled to see the paintings to good advantage. It is an interesting exhibition, but I cannot help feeling that the work is very rudimentary - the artist ends where Velasquez, Franz Hals and other masters whom he imitates only just began. There is of course, dash, color and composition in some of the specimens, but I cannot believe that art ends in these attributes. Dignity, refinement and charm, are entirely lacking. I wish that one fine Velasquez might be shown in contrast. 
Now, don't kick and say, that I am an ignoramus, because, I am convinced on this score already. Ask Pete, get his views on art and then you will have something worth while. 
I wonder what's happening in Red Jacket's cave: Do you think the cold weather has frozen up our spring?
Yours very sincerely,
Charles L. Freer

F. S. Church, Esq.,
Carnegie Hall, 
Seventh Avenue & 57th, Street,
New York City, N. Y.