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Frick -2 naming of the bust. This was a determined suppression of the truth as their chosen expert, N. Paul Vitry, begins his endorsement on the photograph (translation) " There is no likelihood that this Bust represents Madame La Clairon. It is probably one of those which were exhibited by Houdon at the Salon of 1777. I should be inclined to think, after the sketch by Saint Aubin on his catalogue, that it is of Madame Servat". This suppression viri which is suggestio falsi brings the Duveen's entire contention in regard to the bust within the maxim falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus and vitiates their proposition of sale in every particular. It is important to bear in mind that M. Vitry buy his own words shows he is entirely at sea as to the subject of the bust. He says it was "PROBABLY" exhibited at the salon of 1777 and he should be "INCLINED TO THINK" it s of Madame Servat. Why he thus speculates is perfectly plain. The marble has the year "1777" cut into it's base and the thumb nail sketch by Saint Aubin on the margin of the salon catalogue of that year is opposite three members in the catalogue, to with "242 Mne*** 243 Mme Servat 244 Mlle Servat" Therefor M. Vitry has assumed, as he says "after the sketch by Saint Aubin is his catalogue", from the location of this sketch opposite all three members that it is the bust of the middle one No. 243, not with standing Messers Duveen claim it to be of No. 424 and unknow woman. Nor am I by any means satisfied that the sketch by Saint Aubin opposite these three members if the catalogue is of the bust in question. It is so very slight that without a predisposition in its favor one cannot see the present marble it its few lines. The pose is not the same and the shoulder line is wholly different. The drawing is nearly expressionless and while quite sufficient to recall to the draughtsman the original that he sketched for his own purpose does not answer for comparison and identification of the bust one hundred and forty years later. Therefor the first point that I made in my opinion to you as to the lack of identification of the bust as Mlle La Clairon is fully sustained by M. Vitry and its stands a bust of an UNNOWN. As to the authorship of the bust. It must not be forgotten that M. Vitry has not seen the bust itself, the marble was not submitted to him for his opinion, only a fine