A Japanese Artist in London (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1910. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII THE LOOSENING OF THE ROPE From Brixton Road to Ludgate Hill every step of my feet made my heart beat. Death or Life?--that was my question on each step. The porter of Cassell's took me to a little reception room, where I waited a few minutes. The assistant editor of The Magazine of Art (I think it was Mr. Fisher. I am such a bad one to remember English names) came to see me first. He was so polite, and so modest. I felt myself something more like a human at last. We say in Japan, "If you want to see a house master's nature, look at his servants how they behave themselves." It was quite true in this case. He said he would take my portfolio to show to Mr. Spielmann. Perhaps Mr. Spielmann would come out to see me himself if I waited there awhile. Mr. M. H. Spielmann? I knew his name before, because Yone Noguchi told me he was a great art critic. While I was waiting in the room I already began to feel some great comfort through Mr. Fisher's kind treatment. After some five minutes the great art critic came into the room with my portfolio in his arm. He promised me to buy some of them and publish all my sketches. I myself thought I was such a clever actor to conceal all my anxieties from him. He never told me anything what he saw in me. But after a few years, when he wrote the introduction chapter of "The Color of London," to my great surprise I found out these words in his writing: "He looked tired and pale.... I promised to buy one or two: his eyes danced, &c, &c." Now I see I was not quite a successful actor. His eyes must be X-ray. What a sharp observer he was This has added more confidence of mine on his profession too. I think it is my turn now to write my first impression of him. I hope Mr. Spielmann will forgive me that because he himself did the...