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Sir:

    I am informed by Mr. Simon that you have just bought my picture "Christ & the Pilgrims of Emmaus".
    This was good news for me, and I very much admire the disinterest and the greatness of your project. I can understand your desire to possess it as early as possible.
    I must however beg of you to wait a little. The interest of the picture depends upon it. This Spring in spite of serious reasons which I had to expose it, I refrained from so doing, because I could not collect the necessary documents, which were wanting, and I did not wish to hurry the execution.
    If judging from the approbation of my friends, whose taste I estimate, the Picture will overbalance most probably the success obtained by the "Ceue" last year, - I could not be my own judge, I estimate however that it will count among the two or three best which I have signed. For this reason I want to give it every care, and for that it is necessary to conserve it as long as possible, so that I may judge of the best efforts in my studio, and public exposition, and if I find any reason after, to touch up again. Therefore one must have leisure to observe many times. I am convinced, sir, that after having appreciated in the state you found it, wishing to offer the same to your country, you as well as myself desire to receive it in the best conditions. How can I fix the exact date? Therefore, Sir, I must ask you to kindly wait till after the next Salon. It must be seen here. My "Ceue" interested the public. It is already konwn that I am doing another picture which follows, and it would be said I could not keep my promise, and how explain for what reason if I send it away before; the reception made last

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