The volume begins with the author's audacious scheme to stage a one-man parody of the Royal Academy Exhibition, known as 'The Artistic Joke.' Operating in profound secrecy for three years, he meticulously studied the techniques of leading artists to produce eighty-seven monochrome parodies at the Gainsborough Gallery. This bold enterprise captivated London society, drawing massive crowds and creating an unprecedented sensation, though it also required immense endurance and nearly resulted in the author accidentally burning down his own studio with a 12-foot easel. Following this triumph, the narrative shifts to the author's transatlantic voyage to America, undertaken on strict medical orders to abandon all work.
Despite his resolutions, his irrepressible pencil remains active as he observes the chaotic and bustling American landscape, encounters eccentric characters from ship captains to chiropodists, and grapples with the relentless enthusiasm of New York interviewers. The journey through the States unfolds as a whirlwind of hospitality, public speaking engagements, and distinctively American spectacles, such as the hyper-efficient fire brigade and the feverish excitement of the 1896 Presidential election between gold and silver. Upon returning to England, the author reflects on the trials of public lecturing, recounting the perils of incompetent lanternists, erratic chairmen, and hypersensitive audiences, including a memorable correspondence with Lewis Carroll regarding a harmless impersonation. The later portions of the book delve into his public crusades and controversies, notably his campaign against the National Portrait Gallery and the background of his famous libel suit involving George Augustus Sala. Through these varied episodes, the narrative paints a vivid picture of a man driven by relentless energy, balancing professional triumphs with sharp satirical commentary on the cultural hypocrisies of his era.
