The tale that points a moral, the picture that suggests a tale, and the music that evokes a picture; these are the vehicles for “personality” and your fine amateur must cultivate the pride that the realization of an exclusive understanding of these things gives. If Hamlet had been an amateur instead of being an artist he would never have suggested that a cloud was like a camel, a weasel, or a whale; he would have pointed out its resemblance to a mathematical calculation or a treatise on political economy, and Polonius would have been far more impressed—for this would have shown Great Individuality. IV. _The Mission of Amateurism_ A true Amateur must learn the value of success, the immense importance of achievement, the inward meaning of gratified self-conceit. Praise from small minds represents the highest possible attainment of accomplished Amateurism. The object of Amateurishness is, like the puzzle pictures in the daily papers, to present a pretty little problem with a perfectly simple and obvious solution, thus giving effortless pleasure and satisfaction to all concerned. The opportunities afforded by collective Amateurism for the repression of Art are invaluable and as the study of the subject is within the reach of all, including those who are congenitally afflicted with artistic talent, it devolves upon everyone who holds the opinion that this is the best of all possible worlds, to make it his life’s occupation and aim to be a “compleat amateur”. Three Japanese Paintings ARTHUR DAVISON FICKE I. Dream of a Chinese Landscape (_A Screen by Soga Shubun_) Mists are rolling Over the grey mountains, Over the quiet waters And marshy shores— Rolling up into valleys Where pagodas rise,— Rolling over slopes Along whose crests Monasteries dream. Wild geese soar Above the marshes In downward flight— In flight from unknown shore To unknown shore. Over all Mists are swaying. The shadowy bridge And wandering roadway, The dark gnarled tree by the road And the pale tree afar, Are touched with doubtful mists Or emergent from lifting mists,— Trembling in mist; born of mist; shadows.... O mountains, shores, and streams! Beautiful transient illusion! Mortal world, dream world, Vanishing into mist, into mist only! II. Dream of a Chinese Rock Promontory (_A Screen by Sesshu_) Across quiet waters, far off, Faint, misty mountains unfold in limitless ranges, Guarding some dream-world,— Some dim and tranquil world of golden pagodas, Lawns and pools, terraces and deep groves, Vermilion palaces, and peacock-haunted gardens. But that is afar; And the quiet waters lie between.