Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-01-18

eA4ANA aA-o VIM 1N~SNAAAN -
asked me, without longer preface, what
pecuniary sacrifice l was ready to make
in order to be pufed by his paper. l
was startled by this bluntness, and re-
piled that, in case of success, L would
surely give him material proofs of my
gratitude; but he did not find my answer
precise enough, and requested me to come
at once TO a definite understanding, and
to pay certain sum, without which, ac-
cording TO him, it would be impossible for
me tosucceed. Telling him that wished
to adjourn the conference, as / could not
at once come to a decision, I left this tenn
pie of editorial integrity and public spirit.
The other editors were less rapacious and
more friendly: they gave me, indeed, the
best advice about my concerts. The costs
are enormous, but so are likewise the
prices of tickets: a box, LIS stalls, L.
pit, los. On the whole, however, my
prospects were far from promising. I
could not feel sympathy with the popu-
lation of Sydney, and did not expect to
meet with any from them. Everybody
here being immersed in the cares of profit
and loss, is cold and reserved, and in So
ciety duh and stupid. Political meetings
alone are apt to draw out their eloquence,
and nothing but drunken reyels and cock
fights amuse them. How could we ex-
pect a taste for the fine arts in such a
state of society?
! The English maintain here the stereo-
typed customs and manners of the mother
country; although the climate should sug-
gest some modification, still nobody de-
viates from the English routine, even the
ugly Austral negroes copying the habits
of their masters in the most ridiculous
way, though they hate them cordially.
The Papuans are probably the dirtiest
race Of humanity-ugly, lean, and long
they are duh, though cunning, thieyish,
and cowardly; the sight of a sword or
pistol frightens them into fits. Several
thousands of these benighted people live
IN Sydney, where they have accepted the
vices of civilization; their dress is made
up from the most heterogeneous articles
for instance, they wear a black dress
coat with a lady's straw bonnet, or the
Chinese cap and Malay trousers. Most
OF them are clever BARRIERS or lazy ser.
wants in the hotels, pickpockets or police.
men; all Of them are enthusiastically fond
of brandy; and their propensity for thiev.
ing Is scarcely to be checked by any
means. Thus it happened that my black
dress-coat which, on the day of my frs
concert, [ handed to the servant to be
brushed, disappeared in an inexplcable
way. Happily had another in reserve
and made most careful toilet. Sud
denly the waters Of the sky poured down
IN trul y Australian shower, though NJ
clouds were visible; but soon this ceased
and full of the brightest hopes, I had al
open cab called, and fastened to the con.
cert-hall. But, oh! what a discontinue
unheard of in the annals of musical ad.
ventures Half an hour before the begin.
ming of the performance, on the way tc
Australian fame and its golden reward. /
was upset by the stupid driver, and Law
in the mud Of Sydney. What a fall NV
dress-coat and gloves were spoiled. and
the question arose how to remedy the loss,
Like King Richard, raved through the
streets, "a dress-eoat, a dress-coat 6
kingdom for dIess-coat p A German
tailor took pity on my despair, and witt
truly German amiability he sold me fos
LIS dress-coat-not precisely black, bu
ight-blue, with yellow buttons, and no
exactly fitting me : still it was dress-coat
l now fastened to the Royal Victoria
Theatre.
The house was half empty when I ar
rived: the overture of La GAIA Ladrc
was just verging to its end, and the cur
tain was raised. Istepped forth, made +:
respectful bow, and was about to put m,
fiddle-stick in motion, when suddenly AZ
outburst Of Indignation was heard in tn,
dress circle, and | was ordered to with
, draw. Confused and surprised by suel
!. a greeting, l retired bashfully; and be
hind the scenes the manager received
me with desperate countenance. anG
the most serious reproaches, for hayipe
dared to insult the gentry OF the CITY. tbf
J best society Of the antipodes, bv appear
ing without gloves, and in a gkv-blu.
dress coat. Indeed, it was too bad I'm
what could | do: In few words I tol,
him OF my mishap, whilst the audienc,
: shouted, The conductor" He made hi
appearance, and related in a confuse,
way the lanentable story of my two dres
coats; adding an extemporized biogra
phy OF myself, and suggesting to the hon
z oraole company that, under such circum
strnces, genius might be forgiven fo
MS want OF courtesy even to so distin
guished an audience; and be wound n,