Studio: international art (73.1918)

My Life at Ruhleben

relief. As to my own experience, I can only
say that I was extremely lucky to be able to
work with interest and enthusiasm. Occupied
as I was, and always hoping for release, the
period of my captivity was more endurable than
in the case of younger men, or men without
occupation.

The other artists interned in the camp during
my term were mostly amateurs, and amongst
them were several whose forte, was humorous
drawings, such as Wade and Walker, who often
contributed to the camp magazine. This was
edited by Filmore and Winser, who helped
largely to organize the theatrical perform-
ances, and to design and paint many a picture
of the remarkable costumes worn by the
players. Mr. John Wiggin, an Englishman
who lived in Brussels, made many sketches
of camp life ; and there were besides several
young men who developed a talent for draw-
ing during their internment ; amongst these

Tooly and Sullivan Maloney interested me
greatly. Charles Horsfall was a fellow profes-
sional painter.

This little group of artists had already con-
structed a shed, which served as a studio and
exhibition gallery, and as I had brought a
number of pictures with me, which I had
painted during my stay in Holland, they invited
me to have a show of them ; there was an
entrance fee of 2d., which went to the artists'
fund, and 1 must say that my pictures met
with the most flattering appreciation from the
many who visited the show.

To return to my pictures, I recognize that
they represent the brighter side of the life at
Ruhleben. The splendid courage and good
nature shown by the prisoners would make the
gloomiest man ashamed to indulge his melan-
choly ; personally I am always disposed to
make the best of things and prefer not to dwell
on the sad side. Indeed, it was only the