HERZLIANA
Some Herzl Observations
I.
I—You cannot realize how you have changed—as an author—in recent years.
Herzl—Zionism acts upon us all like the tide on the pebbles on the beach.
II.
(After the First Congress.)
I—It is impossible to think the release as coming in the near future; it is for the distant future.
Herzl—No, friend, that is too pessimistic. If we do not go there with a black beard, we shall certainly accomplish it when gray-headed.
III.
Herzl—The simplest art is to earn money.
IV.
I—I have little confidence in our new supporter—he is a dandy, and not a serious man.
Herzl—(smiling) A very satisfactory token that Zionism is beginning to be fashionable.
V.
I—As a tutor, I strongly object to Hans (Herzl's son) being trained by a private tutor; a boy should be in the public school.
Herzl—True. But Hans shall as long as possible be spared the feeling that he is living in slavery. I want him to acquire a stiff back.
VI.
Herzl—Do you know why I admire W— so much? We were together in Aussee, and I suggested a bicycle party.
W— saw threatening clouds in the sky and objected. I, however, persuaded him; and he allowed himself to be led. En route, it began to rain hard, and riding became not only difficult but dangerous. Others of the party wished to quit pedaling, and hire a carriage. I agreed with them. W—, however, shouted, whilst beads of prespiration were rolling from his brows, "Half way is not the spot to yield at." That is a man.
VII.
I—That man is an invaluable force in our movement. You should try to win him back.
Herzl—With all that he deserves and all his gifts, that man no longer exists for me. We must have a manly feeling. Are we a band of gypsies, or are we the Jewish people?
Herzl and the Artists
I.
One day a young man, a Russian Jew who had emigrated to America, came to Herzl and represented himself as an artist, praised his own qualities and powers, and begged the honor of painting Herzl's picture. Herzl had to be very careful of his time, and he was little pleased at the idea of giving this self-conscious young man many of his precious hours. He put this to him in his friendly and courteous tone. The young man was, however, extremely put out. His self-assertion left him, and he stammered in a mixture of new English and old Lithuanian, "Doctor, you won't do that to me. I came specially to Eu-