New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-18


title This is not a biography Of Whistler the
rrlan or a study Of Whistler the artist The au-
thor is content simply to jot down Impressions
and reconections of old friend. distributing
them through a series OF nine or ten discursive
chapters lie talks rather than writes about his
subject giving to his work distinctly personal
character. This IS an amusing book. with many
good anecdotes I'm it and few valuable pass
ages of serious interest, and it is furthermore
made worthy OF preservation by collection OF
134 illustrations from Whistler's paintings,
drawings, etchngs and Autographs. The pro
ductions Of etchings are especially welcome. for
they put a body Of the artists work before US
such as is not accessible IN any other book
that we know of. The process csed, though not
so effective as photogravure would have been
IS on the whole, adequate enough, the full page
plates giving a very plausible impression of the
etcher's technical qualities. The reproductions
IN colors are uneven, and in no instance do full
Justice TO the delicacy of Whistler's tints.
Mr. AIenpes begins with effort to clear the
ground of some popular Observation-Disclosures. He
rather tartly pays his compliments to those
friends" who have been moving heaven and
earth to make Whistler ridiculous ever since he
died. The assertion that certain of these self
elected oracles have made, 10 the effect that
Whistler would not TO have his works eX-
hibited at the National Gallery or at the Royal
Academy, Mr.. Menpes denounces as false. He
knows for a fact that not only would Whistler
have allowed #. but also that he would have
looked upon il as the greatest privilege to have
been made an Associate Of the Royal Academy
The harm done TO Whistler since his death by
the exaggerated talk about him was fore
Swallowed, IN Mr.. Menpes's opinion, while the
artist was still living by the foolish adulation
of sycophants who were perpetually upsetting
him in his work by gush. To those who main
tain that Whistler never copied any one. Mr..
Nenres points out that his famous straight
brimmed hat copied from hat worn by
Mr. w II Chase. The very title OF Whistlers
book, The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies
was not originated by him. Mr.. Menpes would
have the book swept away, believing, justly
enough that il leaves the impression Of a vicious
and spiteful man. He found Whistler in many
respects lovable and delightful. He has this
note on his friends passion for epistolary war
fare:
reGard 10 the people he attacked Most Of them.
he quite aware. had done no real wrong. ana
simply he looked upon these different men as so
Fought against them all The writing of these
letters was great 10Y TO him lie iove9 noIning
one of his famous epistles; often was with
Whistler at the moment when ne Ransom OF cab
soho restaurant, and he would say aIteT
ie i ON one to- MenPes If an opportunity did not
occur he made by writing a letter
which called for answer.
Mr. Menpes himself seems never 10 have been
seriously distressed by the singing attentions
Whistler paid to him. When the great man. al
luding 10 his Australian origin. called him the
kangaroo Of his country, born with a pocket
and putting everything into it, he took the say
ing as a joke. whistler did not mean TO hurt
Ine-he was really very fond OF me-" says this
most patient Of friends The truth is that when
Mr. Menpes, young and devoted TO his art was
admitted TO the intimacy Of the man whom he
never tires OF calling the Master" and was &C
oepted as his pupil, he was. apparently, only too
glad fetch and carry for his patron. to bear
with all his whms, and, for some time at least.
10 surrender his individuality Internationally.
His excuse for what cannot but strike the reader
as excessive submission is 10 be found in the
first place In his whole souled belief in Whistlers
art. and then IN his conviction that Whistler had
gentle as well as good traits. He describes
him as altogether admirable with children. "No
one understood them quite like the Master" he
says, and gives q pretty picture of the painter
taking a guttersnipe to pose in his studio and
oisnlissing her laden with toys when her fatigue
brought the seance 10 end. From the studio.
In his account Of a typical day, Mr. Menpes
takes US TO the shop where a was being
made for the artist.
Whistler would explain how, the garment was 20
De MADE. ana nc taoE woGid c3riy OUT ms elrec-
plished the work than Whistler would say: This
] told you 70 do? am painter. II is not my
business 10 make coats. That is your province.
you knew to be right" Eventually the mistake
pened to be We'll pleased he would tap the tailor
with his cane-that showed great appreciation-and
the poor almost overwhelmed. Then in
Know YOU must not let the Master appear badly
dressed
After the visit 70 the tailor's would come a
round OF the galleries. Whistler would enter
one say "HR, Ha, Amazing" and then sail
out. To Menpes in the street, he would re-
mark You know that does a lot Of good: it's
like the important bank manager, who visits
each department every morning and coughs
loudly to show his authority" If a dealer
handing him a check was not sufficiently digni-
fed about it he would say. This is careless Of
you. You push this check toward me- and you
do not realize what privilege it is to be able
10 hand it to the master. You should offer it
on a rich old English salver and in n kingly
way" One dealer carried out the suggestion,
and Whistler was delighted This" he said
lis as II should be-" Speaking OF his friends
tastes. Mr.. Menpes indicates that he was not
much OF a reader. lie admired Poe. He pre-
ferred Bret Harte to Dickens Thackeray.
Dickens be could find excuse for at asL"
shakespesrien plays appealed to him as being
exquisitely funny The poses OF the actors he
said, were antagOnistic 10 the period, and he
never could understand why the men wore gold
boots" For music. In the strict sense he had
mo feeling whatever but comic songs at the
music halls and pantomimes amused him and
he had one favorite which he often used TO sing
IA high falsetto voice, And His Heart Was