The Shasta courier., 1867-01-12
Humors of q Musical Genius.

Vivier, the celebrated horn player, is one
of those men Of whom anecdotes are told
an eccentric ins>tcr upon having his own
way, aud his own way being whlm.ieally
peculiar.
In England he made a great sensation
with his fret concert. aud invitations to play
at private parties were necessary sequent
On the day after, accordingly, noble lord
called upon the artist. and giving pail TO
his cravat in the English fashion OF a salute
said. with his hat on, in bad French:
You must come to-morrow evening and
play for the Duchess OF Sutherland
NiSer looked steadily at the nobleman
and said, with significan. gesture:
Take off your hat I"
- " hai?' asked the visitor
- Take oH your hat ~
Ain England we have the custom of
keepiL . our hats on
. Take of your hat ~
Yieldins to the pertinacity of these shree
words, which the artist would have gone on
repeating thirty times il it had been neces-
sary, the nobleman took of his hat, and said
once more
" You must come to rsorrow evening, and
play for the Duchess of Sutherland?'
= You speak French very badly ?" replied
| the artist. . Instead of that mpGlite phrase,
you should have said The Duchess Of
Sutherland wishes very much 20 hear you
play, AID she has requested me to inquire
Whether yoa will do her the pleasure of con-
ing to the party which she proposes to give
to MORROW evening"
All, but in England VIC express il the
other way"
Very possibly; bGt unless yea express
it in the better way | have described to you,
l shall take no notice Of the invitation. T"
The Engishman, evidently very angry, 20.
| peated the invitation as directed
" an happy to accept the invitation Of
the Duchess," said the artist.
They will give ten pounds" added the
nobleman
g There, again, is al i'll bred manner Of
treating delicate subject said Vivier.-
. should have made 10 bargain in advance
aud should have left it to the discretion OF
! the Duchess but. since you have 80 uneere
monIously oVerstepped the barrier, permit
me to say that ten pounds is not enough"
| Ah, but in England we only give ten
pounds to an instrumental. To singers like
Grisi or Mario, we give fifteen"
= shall not play for any price less than
twenty five pounds sterling.,
~ YOU hho"f hatl tue Ei5iltnN3n,
| knitting his rows, twenty five pounds are
635 francs of your money!"
| My price, Notwithstanding.
Wen, you shall have it. Put do youi
best, and be punctual -
. shall be ready when the Duchess car
riase calls for me" T." replied Vivier.
g Eh do you expect carriage TO be sen
for you? 1t is not the custom in England .
aal very sorry-but ! do not ride il
hackney coaches a:,d if Madame the Duca
ess docs not choose to send her own carriage
fer me, shall not CO."
Very well, " said the Englishman, look
ing perfectly amazed, but submitting, in
| spite of himself 20 the tone Of authority and
digniied manners which the artist assumed
. the carriage shall be sent for you"
A nine the next evening, punctually,
drove up the Duchess chariot, with its foot
man in livery, and Vivier was received with
very unusual poiteness--a result evidently
Of the description Of his manners given by
her Grace's envoy. From that time the
vogue of the eccentric hOra-blower became
til umphant