PREFACE. IN introducing Camp and Studio to the reader, I do so with mixed feelings of confidence and anxiety-confidence begotten of the complimentary way in which the press and public accepted a recent work of mine, Wanderings of a War Artist-and anxiety to know if in this latter effort I shall continue to hold the good opinion they have formed. I have at least endeavoured, while sustaining my own individuality, to profit by those just, generous, and in some cases exhaustive, criticisms which I have received. These rambling reminiscences pretend to nothing more than they are. Those who would have military detail or political point will find it elsewhere. Camp and Studio may be read as a distinct work, or in the light of a sequel to Wanderings of a War Artist, the early experiences introduced into that book being balanced by the later ones to be found in the present volume. Having trodden the war-path together, I would ask those who are sufficiently in accord with me to join me in Bohemia, that I may afford them a glimpse behind the shifting scenes of artistic life, thus conveying to them some idea of my doings at home as well as abroad. May I also be permitted to say to those who are inclined to suppose any of these experiences extravagant, that not only must the circumstances be taken into consideration but, since fact is often so much "stranger than fiction," that it has never been necessary to go beyond its limits. As I would be most careful not to offend the susceptibilities of any, I have, in touching on studio life, advisedly altered the names of some of those to whom I have referred. I have also endeavoured throughout to avoid too frequent reference to those amongst the good, great, wise, or witty with whom my life has been associated, save where the interweaving of their experiences have been necessary to a description of my own, for while feeling strongly how much at all times we are indebted to others, I prefer standing on my own small merits to borrowing plumes which should be worn by them alone. Thus hopefully committing Camp and Studio to the criticisms of the press and the public, do I lay down for the moment my pen and pencil and await their verdict. CAMBRIDGE STUDIOS, 42, LINDEN GARDENS, W. March 1890. The Declaration of War.-En route for Constantinople. In the Enemy's Camp. A Russian Spy.-Between two Fires.-Arrested.-Rust- chuk. The Cossacks.-Varna.-On the Black Sea.-Constanti- Mukhtar Pasha.-A Pasha's Tent.-A Village Idiot.-Brigandage.—A Method for Dispersing Brigands.-A Hard March.-Our Guide The Cossacks! The Cossacks!-British Pluck.-With Mukhtar Pasha. -Not Dead Yet.-Kars.-A Bright-eyed Amazon.-Hairy Moses. -Favourites of Fate.-The Gentlest of her Sex.-Mukhtar's On the Brink of Destruction.-A Miraculous Escape.-A Middle- Aged Spider.-A Lovely Liliputian.—A Prolific Land.—Curious Cipher. Slavery.-A Charming Bargain.-Consul Zohrab.- Power of the Press.-Eaten Alive.-Sitting on the Daily News. -Erzeroum.-Sir Arnold Kem ball.-A Harem en Déshabille.— A Sleeping Beauty.-Dreams of the Future.-Sorely Tempted. -An Earthly Paradise.-Unscrupulous Arabs.-A Night Alarm.— Saved by His Nose.-Consul Billiotti.-Hobart Pasha.-Dancing on Cayenne Pepper.-A Mutiny.-An Impending Massacre.-A Friend Indeed.-Three Days in Old England.-A Terrible Fix.— Lively Latitudes.-A Lovely Danseuse.-"Down Amongst the Dead Men.”—That Historic Bridge.-McGhan's Dinner Party.-Moun- tains of Mud. With the Imperial Guard.-Fire or Water.-We Qualifications of a War Correspondent.-"Wanted."-A Refined Cruelty. Caprice of War.-A Memorable Omelette. -Our Great "International " Stew.-The Montagu Dinner.-Wonderful Wolves. Lost in a Fog.-In the Grip of the Enemy. -Saved by the Muezzin.-Round About the Redoubt.-Painfully Pointed Attentions. How I Reach the Gravitza.--Making Hay while the Sun Shone. How a Messenger of Death met the Messenger of War.-Radishevo Redoubt.-A War Dance.-Something About Picketing.-Quality of Courage.-A Sad End to a Brave Beginning. Rations.-War Prices.-Gorny Dubnak.-A Simile: War and the A Problem at Porodim.-Turned out by the Grand Duke.-The Czar's Permit.-A Present to Osman.-A Barricade of Bullock Waggons. -The Last Charge.-General Skobeleff.-The Flag of Truce.— Tewfik Bey.-The End Inevitable.-Osman Wounded.-His Sur- render. The Gentler Sex.-The Holy Red Cross (Poem).— Bohemia. Princess Alice."-De Profundis.-Colliery Disasters.- Scenes at the Pit's Mouth.-The Prince Imperial.—A Floral Tri- |