Letter from Charles Forbes from Paris, 4th March 1894

My dear Robson, this many a long day since I have heard from you, and I wonder what you are about. What have you been doing all this winter? Living in Capri and working hard, I suppose, but still I should like to hear rom you and know what your plans are for the Spring - I have been nearly all winter in Paris with the exception of one month passed in the country of England - I have been working pretty hard, and am now trying to finish two portraits to send to the Champ de Mais exhibition. As soon as they are finished by the 15th of this month, I hope, I will be off to Italy. I am going to Mentone for a few days and then on to Florence ~ will you come to Florence this Spring? I hope so as I should like so much to see you and your wife and children again. Florence will not be quite the same if we can't have our little dinners at the Alhambra or Tarquale's together! I am giving up my studio in Florence in April. It will make me sad to give it up but as I have a studio here, and after all, Paris is the best place towork in the winter, so I will work in Paris during the winter and devote my summers to Italy. I am looking forward to being in Firenze again and would like to be starting this evening ~ we must meet some time this Spring - if you don't come to Florence, I will have to go to Capri - so write to me soon and give me news of yourself, your wife and children, and what you have been doing all this time - say many nice things to your wife for me - Yours ever, Charles Forbes