PUNCH AND ITS ARTISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9497, 28 April 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

PUNCH AND ITS ARTISTS.

SECESSION OF MR. HARRY FURNISS. The thrilling news was recently made public in London that) Mr. Harry Furniss had seceded from Punch, and was about to start in business for himself. A trusty interviower was at once despatched to 23, St. Edmund's Terrace, to learn more of the fateful news. The eminent caricaturist was caught just in time : he was in the act of ascending to his bed-chamber, but he courteously postponed his slumber for a short talk. "Is itcan it—be true, Mr. Furniss, that you have severed your connection with Punch?" "Quite true," responded tho artist; "I sent in my resignation to-day." "Punch's weekly feast day?" " Yea; I suppose they have been discussing the matter over the walnuts and the wine."

"And you're going to star to a journal of your own. Is that true "Correct. You - see I have for some years had an idea of starting a paper magazine or journal, whatever you like to call it— mv own. It's nob a new idea with me ; for 1 ran a MS. publication when I was a boy of 15 at school." " But why have you launched out on this new enterprise ?" " Well, you see, I don't want to be so restricted as I have been on Punch. I want more freedom. My notion is that editors of papers like Punch should be aritists—nob only literary men." By wary of getting breath, the interviewer observed to Lika Joko that his resignation, coming as ib were so close upon the Gladstone scare, was calculated to upseb the nervous system of the nation. " Well," responded Mr. Furniss, with ready wit, " it would be as well, perhaps, to let the country know thab I am in no collusion with the Premier. I have nob yet been sent for by the Queen, nor have I any idea of bidding for the leadership of the Liberal party. " Bub seriously, now, when is tins new journal of yours to make its appearance "I have not quite decided. I have let the fact be known so that I can communicate with contributors. I mean to have the best men I can gather togethergood artists and good literary men. I have already done a good deal of preliminary work. I am, indeed, throwing myself thoroughly and entirely into the scheme. I am nob only giving up Punch, bub I am stopping my London letter, which, as you know, goes all over the place—to Australia and elsewhere. I am, in fact, quitting my connection with everything, and refusing work from everybody." " Then, in a way, you have gob all things in readiness ?"

"Quite so; and you may look for my paper, or whatever you like to call it, about the end of March. What will it be like ? Simply unlike anything of the sorb ever published—unlike in get up, illustration, and motif. It will be altogether my own child."

"lb will be, then, a unique, as well as a new venture?" " Yes. lam staking a great deal upon it, you see. But I have been fascinated with this sort of thing since I was 15. In my earlier days I used to engrave all my own illustrations, I know about machinery, and my knowledge runs down to- the very Eaper used for the printing. I may toll you am not a believer in high arb simply. I am quite against tho latest fad in illustrated journalism ; I am disgusted with the wishywashy, slipshod productions we get nowadays. " " Of course we shall see your hand in the new concern ?" " Certainly; bub 1 don't intend to have too much of Harry Furniss in it. I shall take Parliament with me." "But nob' Toby*?" "No, nob 'Toby.' From what I have told you, you will see that 1 am going for a big thing. I am practically giving up everything at the height of. my career. But I am still in tho thirties, and plenty of time before me to—" " Repent, eh ?" Well, pub it in that way if you like? I know what you mean." "lb will be a weekly, of course ?" (This Insinuatingly.) "Ah, I won't say that. Take it from me that it will be a novelty." " Have you anything else to communicate, Mr. Furniss?" " Well, you might just add that with the exception of Doyle, who left Punch owing to some religious feeling, I am the only member of the staff of that paper that has ever resigned. I began with Mr. Burnand in 1880." And here the interviewer ceased from troubling, and Mr. Furniss retired to rest.