Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901).

‘My dear Mum, The whole family together—that’s the news of the day. I’m afraid my illustrious self will be missing from this little gathering. We’re enjoying splendid weather here, so I had the buggy hitched up and, together with Gaston [Bonnefoy], we’ve been out for a breath of fresh air in the Bois de Boulogne two or three times. I don’t think Papa will mind, quite the contrary, as the horse and carriage have had a breath of fresh air – and so have I. I am busy with my exhibition [at the Salon des Indépendants], currently working on three portraits: Gaston, Louis [Pascal], and Bourges. Louis has two secure positions thanks to Mgr Richard [the Archbishop of Paris], either in insurance or at the Transatlantique. So much the better. Come back soon, for I shall be on my own, as Bourges is going to Africa in early March, a month’s journey south on horseback, with the promise of gazelle hunting – what a 35037

pity I cannot accompany him. Perhaps Papa could go’... Correspondence (1992), no. 186.