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Paris [[10 ?]] Place Vendome.
   Nov 21. 1855 

My Dear Stillman [?] Durand,
For a long time I have contemplated writing you my felicitations on the success of your endeavor, & bid you God Speed in a much needed undertaking, but a multiplicity of engagements have so absorbed my time as to prevent until now. 
Having been in Paris during the entire Exhibition I looked carefully at the great potpourri. I had the vanity to think a few dottings from my notes might interest you. You may have been bored & importuned with all manner of scribbling about this [[monster ?]] show already, & the matter may not be of the character you [[require ?]]. If so [[You think it overboard?]] --I see nothing in the way of art gossip except what [[comes ? ?]] in your Journal. So that you may have had my day from other quarters or it may conflict with other opinions. [[?]] use the remarks as you think fit. If they are acceptable I will send you other notes about the various schools & [[?]], with my humble opinion respecting the distribution of the prizes - We have come off far better than I expected but of 7 or 8 [[expectants ?]] getting 3 medals of this [?] with comparison of the landscapists I will write you another time. Please continue sending