stler's etchings?"

"Did you say to Mr. Brown, 'Now, is not Mr. Whistler under an
engagement with the Fine Art Society to publish no Venice etchings for
a year?' or words to that effect? and upon Mr. Brown's assurance that
such was the case, did you request him to go with you to the Hanover
Gallery?"

"Did you there produce for his inspection three large Venice etchings,
and among them the 'Riva' subject?"

"Did you then incite Mr. Brown to detect, in these works, the hand
of Mr. Whistler?"

"Did you point out details of execution which, in your opinion,
betrayed Mr. Whistler's manner?"

"Did you say, 'You see these etchings are signed "Frank Duveneck," and
I have written to that name and address for their purchase, but I
don't believe in the existence of such a person,' or words to that
effect?"

"If this be not so,

"Why did you take Mr. Brown over to the Hanover Gallery?"

"Why did you show him Mr. Duveneck's Venice etchings?"

"Why did you question him about my engagement with the Fine Art
Society?"

"Is it officially, as the Painter-Etchers' President, that you pry
about the town?"

"Does the Committee sanction your suggestions? and have you permitted
yourself these 'proceedings' with the full knowledge and approval of
the 'dozen or more distinguished men seated in serious council,' as
described by yourself in the _Pall Mall Gazette_?"

"Of what nature, pray, is the 'necessary duty' that has led two
medical men and a Slade Professor to fail as connoisseurs, and blunder
as detectives?"

"'Vat shall de honest man do in my closet? Dere is no honest man
dat shall come in my closet!'"

[Illustration]

"Copies of this correspondence will be sent to members of your
Committee."

To this last letter, Mr. Seymour Haden has not as yet sent any answer,
and here the matter rests. As requested, we have sent Mr. Piker the
copies he requires for distribution.

THE EDITOR OF THE "CUCKOO."

_La Suite_

"ARTS CLUB,"
May 10, 1881.

To the Committee of the Painter-Etchers' Society:

[Sidenote: Letter to the Committee of "Painter-Etchers'
Society."]

Gentlemen,--I have hitherto, in vain, written to Sir William Drake, as
secretary of the Painter-Etchers' Society, and feeling convinced that
his elaborate silence cannot possibly be the expression of