DLA019-0008  Transcription 

Hotel Continental,

PARIS.

17th May, 1930.

Your last three letters of March 7th^[1] and 26th^[2] and April 8th are in my hands, and I really feel distressed not to have replied to them sooner. You show me the greatest attention and I was interested to read the list of your various journeyings in America which I suppose by now have been successfully terminated. I have also received copies of the New York Times in which my name is mentioned, and I assure you that I am deeply grateful for all your kindness and friendship.

Believe me, it is not owing to negligence on my part that I have not written to you sooner, but since my election as President of the Royal Society of British Artists I have been overwhelmed with work as this office entails many extra responsibilities, and therefore it has been impossible for me to attend to all my correspondence sooner. My thoughts have often been with you, and especially during the last week before I came away when we had Mr and Mrs. Ochs^[3] daily with us for a whole week and enjoyed their company so very much. Mr Ochs’s sister-in-law and niece were with them. No doubt you will have heard all about their visit here and later of the portraits which I painted of them [6480][6486]. I think you will like Mrs. Ochs’s picture as well as Mr. Ochs’s, and I have just heard from them telling me how satisfied they are with them. I did a portrait study of Mr. Ochs and took the opportunity to offer it to him for the New York Times as I learn that my portrait of him has been

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removed from there and is now in his daughter’s possession [6487].

I am sure it will interest you to know that Mr. Ochs came with me to the Royal Society of British Artists and kindly purchased three pictures there.^[4]

I arrived in Paris a few days ago and have to finish a few portraits which have been promised some time ago. I have to return to London for the 22nd in order to receive the guests at a Soiree which the Royal Society of British Artists are giving at their Gallery, as their President.^[5] Next day I return here where I shall remain until the end of the month, and then go back to London.

In the Salon here I have the portraits of Marshal Lyautey [6118] and the Marchesa del Merito [13322];^[6] a reproduction of the latter I am enclosing herewith, and I am sure you will agree that she is beautiful. She is one of the most delightful little ladies I have ever painted.

It was so kind of you to receive Comte de Noailles, and I thank you very much for the great hospitality which you have extended to our Paul.^[7] He wrote to me several times telling me how kind you have been to him, and the fact of his being alone makes him appreciate your great help the more. I expect him back at the beginning of July.

Now, dear friend, please do not be revengeful by keeping me long without news of you. If you see Paul please give him my greetings, and if you will not be coming over here during the summer I much look forward to see you in the Fall. I shall be in America for certain then.

With my warmest regards, | Always sincerely yours,

Editorial Note:

Louis Wiley (1869-1935), newspaperman; business manager of The New York Times from 1906 to 1935; for biographical notes, see [111433]. 

SMDL

21/05/2018