The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol. 2

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22689

Title

The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol. 2

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this witty and self-deprecating memoir, Harry Furniss recounts his daring 1887 parody of the Royal Academy, his chaotic travels, and his tumultuous publishing ventures. Blending sharp satire with personal confession, the text offers a humorous yet insightful look at Victorian art, society, and the business of journalism.

Summary up to 500 words

In Volume II of *The Confessions of a Caricaturist*, Harry Furniss chronicles his daring artistic and journalistic ventures, centering on his ambitious project, 'An Artistic Joke.' This massive parody exhibition, held at the Gainsborough Gallery, satirized leading Royal Academicians by painting them in their own distinct styles but applying them to absurd subjects. The enterprise was a critical and public triumph, proving Furniss's versatility beyond mere caricature and demonstrating that his humor was good-natured rather than malicious. The narrative then follows Furniss on a tumultuous voyage aboard the *Atlantic Greyhound*. He recounts the ship's disastrous cruise, marked by Irish superstitions, eccentric American passengers, and a harrowing fire that tested the crew's resolve. His travels extended to Australia, where he navigated quarantine restrictions and the frenzied land boom, and to Washington, D.C., where he interviewed political figures and observed the chaotic energy of the Capitol. A significant portion of the volume is dedicated to Furniss's struggles in the publishing world, particularly regarding his magazine, *Lika Joko*. He exposes the deception of publisher Mr. Astor, who abruptly discontinued the financially successful *Pall Mall Budget* not due to commercial failure, but for sentimental reasons following his wife's death. Furniss stepped in to save the publication, merging it with *Lika Joko* to form the *New Budget*. Despite his editorial integrity and the paper's high quality, he faced financial ruin when advertising contracts demanded unsustainable commissions. He defends himself against critics who blamed him for the venture's collapse, arguing that editing alone cannot guarantee success without a competent business partner. Throughout these accounts, Furniss shares vivid anecdotes from his social life, including city dinners, club memberships like the Thirteen Club, and interactions with famous contemporaries such as Whistler and G.A. Sala. These stories paint a rich portrait of the artistic and journalistic landscape of late 19th-century London and beyond, highlighting the gap between public perception and the harsh realities behind the scenes.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22689.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg22689.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-04 15:21 UTC

Categories

• Biography
• Cartoonists