Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 edition. Excerpt: ... II August 14th, 1920. Saturday. According to Mr. Fisher's instructions, I called on Mr. M---- at his office at 10:30 and introduced myself. He took me in a taxi to Bond Street to the office of Messrs. Kamenev and Krassin. We waited for about twenty minutes in an antechambre, and I felt a certain melodramatic thrill. Here was I, at all events in the outer den of these wild beasts who have been represented as ready to spring upon us and devour us! This movement that has caused consternation to the world, and these people, so utterly removed from my environment, these myths of what seemed almost a great legend, I was now quite close to. Meanwhile, the clerks in the office occupied my attention. They interested me as types, and I wondered about them, about exactly What in their lives had made them into Bolsheviks, and what sort of mentality was theirs and whether the schemes they upheld were developing into a workable concern. While we waited Mr. M---- put me straight on a few points and pointed out many of the inaccuracies about Bolshevism that people like myself have gleaned, so I was in part prepared and protected against appearing too ignorant and foolish. At last the word came and we were ushered into the office of Mr. Kamenev who received me amiably and smilingly. We started off almost immediately, in French, and discussed the subject of his being willing to sit to me. I then asked him if a Soviet Government had obliterated Art in Russia. He looked at me for a moment in astonishment, and then said: "Mais non! Artists are the most privileged class." I asked if they were able to earn a living wage. He replied that they were paid higher than the Government Ministers. He gave me fully to understand that Russia is most appreciative of Art...