CARNEGIE ART GALLERIES Art Committee JOHN CALDWELL, CHAIRMAN WILLIAM H. FREW, WM. MCCONWAY, DAVID T. WATSON, JOSEPH R. WOODWELL, EDWARD M. BIGELOW, SAMUEL D. WARMCASTLE, A. BRYAN WALL,

Director of the Department of Fine Arts, JOHN W. BEATTY.

Pittsburgh, U. S. A.

March 10. 1898

Dear Mr. Frick:-

I wrote Mr. D. C. Thomson, the editor of the London Art Journal, the other evening, wishing him a safe and pleasant voyage to England, and, remembering your inquiry touching his opinion of the Romney, I took occasion to ask him for it more in detail than he gave on the rather hurried visit we made to your home. He says:

"The Romney I recall very well, with the bright, intelligent eyes, the powdered wig and the general excellence and dignity of the portrait. Did the servant call it a portrait of Mrs. Finch-Halton, or something like that? My opinion of the picture is that although somewhat sketchy in certain details, it is one of the desirable Romneys and one that lends grace and interest to the collection. It is certainly a picture that Mr. Frick can afford to be proud of and worthy to be considered one of the finest pictures in Pittsburg."

The impression I have of the work agrees perfectly with that of Mr. Thomson. The rare refinement of the work is what impressed me most, and I recall the graceful figure,

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leaning slightly forward, as possessing this quality above all others. I want to enjoy another look at the picture. Our call was made in great haste and when we arrived at your house it was considerably after the hour we had agreed to be home for dinner.

When you are interested in any work of the English school I will be pleased to place at your service any information contained in our official records of values in this office. We have official marked sales catalogues from Christies' auction galleries in London, covering two years and giving prices secured for many works of the English and other schools, beside our private record of values, which is gradually growing.

Very sincerely,

John W. Beatty Director.

Mr. H. C. Frick, Carnegie Bldg., City.

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- OFFICE OF - H. C. FRICK. MAR 11 1898 Ans'd