and the
blind--literally--like in Hogarth's 'Election;' they brought up
everything but corpses, don't you know!--very well!"

"But all this hardly explains the bitterness of the feud and personal
enmity to you."

"What? Don't you see? My presidential career had in a manner been a
busy one. When I took charge of the ship I found her more or less
water-logged. Well, I put the men to the pumps, and thoroughly shook
up the old vessel; had her re-rigged re-cleaned, and painted--and
finally I was graciously permitted to run up the Royal Standard to the
masthead, and brought her fully to the fore, ready for action--as
became a Royal flagship! And as a natural result mutiny at once set
in!

"Don't you see," he continued, with one of his strident laughs,
"what might be considered, by the thoughtless, as benefits, were
resented, by the older and wiser of the crew, as innovations and
intrusions of an impertinent and offensive nature. But the immediate
result was that interest in the Society was undeniably developed, not
only at home, but certainly abroad. Notably in Paris all the art
circle was keenly alive to what was taking place in Suffolk Street;
and, although their interest in other institutions in this country had
previously flagged, there was the strong willingness to take part in
its exhibitions.

For example, there was Alfred Stevens, who showed his own sympathy
with the progressive efforts by becoming a member. And look at the
throngs of people that crowded our private views--eh? ha! ha! what!
But what will you!--the question is, after all, purely a parochial
one--and here I would stop to wonder, if I do not seem pathetic and
out of character, why the Artist is naturally an object of
vituperation to the Vestryman?--Why am _I_--who, of course, as you
know, am charming--why am I the pariah of my parish?

"Why should these people do other than delight in me?--Why should they
perish rather than forgive the one who had thrust upon them honour and
success?"

"And the moral of it all?"

Mr. Whistler became impressive--almost imposing--as he stroked his
moustache, and tried to hide a smile behind his hand.

"The organisation of this 'Royal Society of British Artists' as shown
by its very name, tended perforce to this final convulsion, resulting
in the separation of the elements of which it was composed. They could
not remain together, and so you see the 'Artists' have come out, and
the 'British' remain--and peace and