Whistler as I Knew him. By Mortimer Menpes. (I. and
C. Black. £2 net.)—The writer of this volume says that the cry of Whistler was "Save me from my friends!" and judging by this last biography, we readily assent. Quite enough has been told of the vanity amounting to madness of this great artist: of his preparation of insults in the abstract, and then pro- ceeding to find a victim on whom to fasten them. Degas said : " Whistler behaves as if he had no talent " ; and it is reported that Whistler was afraid of Degas, as indeed he might be of a man, who could so clearly sum up his character in a phrase. What is valuable in the book before us is the detailed account of the technical methods which Whistler employed. Artists will read with interest the description of the table-top used as a palette, and of the careful way in which the tones of the picture were spread on this palette, so that a touch could be mixed with complete accuracy. We can only wish that Mr. Menpes, who frequently saw Whistler at work, had devoted more space to this interesting part of his book, instead of recording instances of the master's vulgarity and rudeness.
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