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watermark: W. S & B PARAGON LINEN

them for himself. My duty to the Museum was only in regard to pictures however and I have been the means of Mr. Morgan's securing some of his finest Gothic Objets d'Art. For all the work I did for him during the past four or five years I have received no recompense. I could of course have paid myself handsomely out of the commissions which were pressed upon me but my position and principles made this impossible. I know that I have incurred the enmity of some of the big dealers by this refusal to become their tools. Indeed such is the corruption of this business that I have been covertly threatened for being honest. This is not by way of complaint but of explanation. I have acquired by now a wide knowledge of this market in objets d'art as well as pictures. You know that I admire the taste and understanding you have shown in yr. buying of pictures and I should like to place such aptitudes and experience as I have at yr. service, either in buying pictures or objets d'art. I believe I could really put you in the way of many very good things, for example I have lately got to know the wholesome importers of Oriental art through whom some of Mr. Salkey's finest pieces came but not till they had also passed through the hands of West End dealers who doubled and trebled the price. I am a scholar and not a trader. I do not wish to have any direct money interest in any sale or purchase. My ambitions in the matter of money are very modest and if you care to make use of my export knowledge in any way I would rather be paid for giving my opinion than by any commissions even from yourself on the price. It is only so that I can keep absolute independence of judgment. Under no circumstances do I intend to accept anything from the seller,