Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-12-05
wtsx,: soSJ.s (. Ara Il: IiissasA.Ssst.

FAMOUS " HE eNeMleo :
Long before James McNeiIl whistler
was famous ~ an artist he had made
himself 4 public character by his &C.
centricies and his quarrels with British
artists and crttics. Dor C. Seitx, In his
volume. whistler Stories" published
by Harpers. gives q number OF In
who wrote 80 wei Of the gentle art
OF making enemteD."
A notable enmity followed the friend
ship the4 had existed between Oscar
Wilde n Whistler. which Ii accounted
for in this way:
wild n day asked the artists
opinion upon q poem which he had
written. presenting a copy to be read.
Whistler. read 1t and was handing 1t
back without comment.
WELL Queried Wilde, do YOU per.
ceive any worth?'
ITS worth is weight in gold," re-
piled Whistler.
The poem was written on the very
thinnest tissue paper, weighing prac-
tically nothing"
There were times, though, when
Whistler was q more lenient crilic OF
settt showed him q sketch and asked
1T has its good points. Rossetti,"
said Whistler. go ahead with 1t by
all means.
Later he inquired how 1T was getting
along. "All right" answered Rosset-
=. cheerfuily: I've ordered a standing
In due time the canvas appeared ct
Rosettis house. beautifully framed.
saw 1t. have your" said whistler.
Moo" replied Rossetti. but Two
written a sonnet on tho subject. if
you'd like to hear it,"
He recited some lines OF peculiar ten
dernesS.
"Rossetti.. said whistler, az the reci-
tatton ended. take out the picture and
frame the sonnet"
Much that was characteristic Of tho
ing the famous libel suit he brought
against Ruskin." Mr.. Sets writes.
THE most amusing feature Of Il was
the exhibition In court OF some OF the
and arrangements which
were the subject Of tho suit. The jury
eoee OF art was probably limited, was
expected to pass Judgment on these
paintings. Whistler's counsel held IN
one Of h pictures.
Hero. gentlemen.' he said. 10 one
OF the works which have boon
Pardon me- interoosed Mr.. Rus
kin,s lawyer. you have that picture
upside down.
No such thing,
oh. but It 10 SOL continued RUS
kin's counsel. I remember 1t In tho
Gallery. where Il was hung
the other way about
The alteration ended In the cor
rectness of view OF Ruskin's lawyer
being sustained. The error Of counsel
helped to produce the celebrated farth-
Ing verdict. Ever after Whistler wore
the farthing on his watch chain.
THE suit had It's origin In Ruskin.s
comment upon the .Nocturne In Black
OF Cremorne Garden, with q felliiid9..
rocket and other Fireworks The nfCz
ture 10 now the property Of Mrs. Samuel
Untermyer ct New York. on the
opening of h GrOsvenor gallery In 1857
Ruskin wrote In 'Fors Clavigera:, Tho
M-educated conceit OF the srtist nearly
approached the aspect OF wilful Inn
posture. ! have seen and heard much
OF cockney impudence before now. but
v expected to have q coxcomb ask
200 guineas for flinging q pot OF paint
In the public's face
When Whistler wal being examined
during the trial. Sir John Holker. tho
It take you to knock OFF that n~octurne?'
i beg your pardon?' said the wit.
ness.
Sir John apolosized for his flippancy
n Whistler replied: About Q day. Il
may haNe put "a few touches to It the
: For two days labor you ask 200
guineas?'
: NO. ! ask 1t for the knowledge Of
q lifetime!'"