Ottawa, May 26th, 1915.

My dear Russell,

It was a pleasure to receive your letter, and I appreciate it still more if, as I understand, you found time to divert these moments from your honeymoon.

I was present at the unveiling the other day of your work at the Ontario Club. I thought this portrait remarkably good, and so did everybody present; I say this in all sincerity and with no tings of flattery whatever. I remember that in the course of our conversations you told me often that the painting of the hands was the test of a good portrait. If this test is accurate you certainly have succeeded.

With regard to the immediate object of your letter, I am sorry to say that there is no question of painting a portrait for me for the Senate. But there is a portrait of me in the Speakers' Chambers of the House of Commons which I do not like, and which I would like to replace by another one. I would like you to undertake the work, but I have to tell you that I could give only a very insufficient remuneration as it would have to come

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from my own pocket.

If you can undertake the work, let me know your terms; I will be ready to sit for it in the first days of June.

With best wishes,

Believe me,

Yours very sincerely,

Wilfrid Laurier

Mr. John Russell

46 Washington Square

New York City