Maryland State Archives

Annapolis, 20 July 1886

My dear Hopkins,
I was in Balto. on Friday last but I was unable to get to see thee.  They went back on me Completely in the State House Annex affairs and chose a very ordinary design in preference to a really beautiful and artistic plan and ? of Mr. F.E. Davin of mine.  Evidently it was all preordained and shameless-
If you could possibly raise me anything on the old Dutch picture or any other I should be very grateful as I am “hard up” as you know- I drew an old Pick harder as a matter of “sheer cussedness” for $300 but he sent back the draft endorsed “refused, won’t pay”- as I expected.
Please come down here and see pictures etc.  I got a frame from HM and for my flower pieces and will work it up but it cannot be sold I fear before autumn_
I should like to see you in ? so some did pictures also_  Tell PM as he is a bachelor to come down as I want to talk and walk with him_ Ever your friend.
F.B. Mayer

J.G. Hopkins, Esq.
 

Annapolis 14 February 1887

My dear friend,
 I hope Mrs. Hopkins is better.  Have you any news for me as to the three heads?  If you have made any sale please advise me with ? if convenient as I do not know when I can get up_ I hate to bother you as I know how anxious you must be as to Mrs. H.
Mr’s ? and Mrs. Billingsly went to Profs. Rices’ with me to see the “Flower piece”.  It is yet unsold.  I do not wish to push it on Rice as he has been very kind to me.  I would sell it very reasonably now for fast cash, say $60 including frame.  The Honor the Browe” as I case the woman and shields I have really furnished or done with and wide put it on sale in Balto whenever it has uniformly dried etc.  If Miss I would like either of these pictures I am disposed to sell chap_
I am making a little picture of “Johns Hopkins birth-place” from a sketch I made some time ago.  I spoke to Gilman about it and I hope I may sell them a cheap little picture as they are so very poor, “you know”_
We are wearing through this tedious writer and I long for spring and sun-shine of which we have had so little this winter.  I do long for some old-time walks with you, my friend.  Son we can walk over Back creek and down to Bay ridge, or go over the Severn River Bridge to ?.  Trains (construction, etc) now every day now formed Balto to AXB.S.L depot on Bladensburg.
With regards to Mrs. H and to M. Johnson,
Every Friend
F.B. Mayer
J.G. Hopkins
 

Annapolis 21 Feb. 1887

My dear friend,
Had I half a dozen such as you I would be well equipt for the Battle of life!  Though $30 or less than $10 a piece is very little for studies yet it is better to sell at any price than so let one’s credit suffer or to borrow.  I really think the frame should be put at $200 a piece_ say so to party if judicious.
We had but 10 cents in family treasury this morning so your letter was very acceptable- as well as another from R.N. Joppan giving me a $25 order to work up a head I have of his father.  I have a nibble for my music sketches but must have them within reach in case I wish to paint large ones_
An to “Flower piece” I will by last chance here and send it up if there is no hope here.  I require “surroundings” to sell it I think.
I will be up soon I hope_ and bring “J. Hopkins birth place” I have near done_
I am glad to hear of Mrs. H’s improvement.
22 ?
I did not send this yesterday as I expected to receipt your cheque.  This morning but it did not come.  Perhaps my mention of frames stopped you.  I merely meant it as a suggestions if it could be added_
I any case please send cheque at once.  I shall feel in very good spirits when I have it in hand.  I think my luck much ? soon.  I send you some lines on Dante addressed to a young friend who showed me his copy.  His mother don’t like my “poetry”!

Mr. F.B.M.

On Dante’s “Devine Comedy of Hell, Purgatory and Paradise”
Old Dante’s pages as you read
Your profit lies in taking heed,
Yet ignorant of “married-bliss”
You’ll learn what Purgatory is,
A providential preparation.
For our ultimate salvation.
Where Heaven is it is hard to tell
But not so hard to locate Hell,
Of which enough on earth is found
Without descending under ground;
And as to Heaven if where they place it
No cheerful spirit would embrace it,
Because above the skies we’re told
It’s always very dark and cold,
While truly, Heaven can oly be
The Hope we find in Liberty,
The Joy we feel in Every Beauty
And thank-less Loyalty to Duty.
F.B.M.
1887

Annapolis 25th Feb. 1887

My dear friend,
Your cheque for $30 was most welcome.  Many thanks for your kindness.
I shall not make any suggestions to “frames” here after but #8 about in very little for these studies_ yet if I could permit one a day it would pay.
The sunshine today makes me wish you were here to take a good walk.  I hope to get up about Wednesday of next week if not sooner I will try to bring up the “flower piece” as I see little chance of selling in here.  Do not call my rhymes a “poem” please as they do not deserve it.  I have some which I wish to show to Mr. Johnson which may have some merit.  I am gradually clearing out all my scraps, artistic and literary.
A passion for rhyming is dangerous propensity and I propose hto stop with lines I speak of or will bring up_ I shall bring up one or two things to frame.
I hope Mrs. Hopkins is better and may be able to come down soon.
Your friend,
F.B. Mayer
I glanced at MD’s verse on the picture but have not read today’s Sun as yet.  They must be good.

Annapolis 2 Nov 1887

My dear friend Hopkins,
I have been in bed more or less since Friday last with highly respectable boil but hope to be out tomorrow.  It has been very troublesome on the idle of the night.
Notwithstanding, I painted two more landscapes.  These are with two big still lifes are well received and I think will sell, but I have not been able to be in studies for a week nearly or would have sold one probably.
Have you any news from Miss Parlett?  You know the 1st month is always a very anxious time with me.  If you could collect and transmit cheque at Early convenience I should be very grateful.
Can we not work off “Rembrandt”?  I want to make a new departure if possible after my landscapes_ Mrs. Hopkins picture have had another morning on.  I think I will put it on Canvas however.
The sooner you send that cheque the sooner my smiles will crown you in Baltimore and I wish to go up for a day as I am sick of this being in bed.
Keyser writes to me that he is just in his studies and will go to work at once_
Last picture I painted was fall since over Tighman Brice please I think I caught cold working in the rain.
Can you not come down, say Sunday and have a walk as I shall be well ? for a tramp.  The weather will be delightful and “Kaiser” requests your company_ Glad to have you dine with us after walk.
Your Friend,
F.B. Mayer

Regards to Mrs. H and Mr. Johnson
I write this in bed- Excuse ?
 

Annapolis 14 Nov 85

Dear Hopkins,
Many thanks for beautify frame and apology for tardy acknowledgement of your kindness_  It was with the gold too short and too high_  I took out the gold and it does admirably except that it forces me to a higher key in finishing_
Ever yours gratefully,
Mayer, F.B.

J.G. Hopkins, Esq.
 

Annapolis 1 Jan 1888

My dear friend,
Do not imagine this is a billet don’t from a sweet heart, but, while it comes on the New Year and wishes you many happy returns, it is on the contrary quite the reverse of sentiment- and is to ask if you have had any luck with the landscapes as I am high and any as unusual at the end of the month and beginning of the New Year.  If you are so lucky “please remit” me anything you may have however small the amount as we are quite cleaned out and I cannot get up to B until I have some funds and as I am very anxious to with you the compliments of the season and “so forth”_
I had hoped to see you X mas or thereabouts_ but was quite disappointed_
I am painting a portrait of a distinguished gentleman here and hope to be successful as it may be had to others_
I wish to do yours so and if possible stick to portraiture this winter_ I fear the lands after will not be immediately ? but will sooner or later.
I have the glass and fruit juice pretty much done and also the “Love, Law and Honor”-
Mrs. Billingslea made me an agreeable visit Friday with two ladies-
I wish to get up Friday or Saturday to meet Mary Brewer who is spending her Holiday in Philadelphia.
With greetings to all the household.
Your Friend,
Frank B. Mayer
 

To J.G. Hopkins

Annapolis 17 Feb 1888,

My dear friend,
When you come down next, which I hope may be soon, please to bring me another bottle of your retouching mix time_ I find I can’t paint over it well and with so it on the other landscapes which are finished_
I should like you also to bring be down the landscape you have (if there be no chance of immediate sale) as it requires retouching since I have seen it in the frame_ you can bring the frame or not as you please_
Also please bring with you a white or light waistcoat or rest to paint yourself in as I find it will give a good effect.  I should like to have a sitting at least for drapery__
Judge Bryan is finished and framed and is liked_ I hope it may bring others_
Had I been well enough I should have come up to Way’s funeral but I feared so sick it as I had a very bad cold_  The poor fellow was worn out I presume by his many troubles, apparently so intermitted by such a pure and generous character_  He is the last of my fellow pupils (except W.S. Tiffany) with Alfred J. Miller_
All my work is finished up and I only need buyers.  If you can bring any down with you do so.  My landscapes are improved since I have had there here in the frames to retouch.
With regards to the family and to Mr. Johnson.

Every truly yours.

F.B Mayer

P.S. Mr. Brown of the N.A_
Liked your picture very much,
He has a very good knowledge and love of Art_ I have plenty of appreciative people here put the present lot of ? are able ?
P.P.S.
I should like to talk about a frame for your picture when you come-
P.P.P.S.
If you can find a nosegay to put in a button-hole, a spring of evergreen or winter gree would be appreciate.