The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-27
Ole Bun NJ Home.
THE GREAT NORWEGIAN vro1rsrsr IN NORWAY.

ago, be was accompanied by Mr.. J. jay Watson
OF New York, who sends the following entertain
ing correspondence TO the Revolution
TALEsTRAND, NORWAY, August. 1868.
For the past month have been sojoHrning in
this romantic country % the guest Of the world.
renowned violinist. Ole Bull. Valestrsnd is a
quiet and secluded spot, situated in a charming
valley, about eighteen miles from Bergen. All.
though Ole Bull was born 10 Bergen, most of his
youthful days was passed it Valsstrand; and there
" cave, short distance from the house. where
as boy, the violinist practiced his first crude
IDEAS OF music. Many were the hours he spent in
S ' sass they passed to
and fro on the road just below the cave, were
puzzled to determine where the music proceeded
rom, snd IT was some time before the sanctum Of
the young musician was discovered. Whena boy
Ole Bull was not exempt from the troubles and
The SoE IN the baass Of Rs
during the hrst months Of practice (even If he
possesses the requisite talent) is not fascinating
instrument, and the most agonzing and doleful
sounds are ELECTED by the young beginner.
Ole Bulls parents, as well as the family in gen.
era quite naturally objected to his practicing in
the house, and especially at night. as the boy was
in the habit Of tuning up his fiddle" at all hours
to suit his fancy. Several castigations from the
father soon put stop to further annoyance, and
The young sspirant was compelled to resort to the
friendly cave where he could practice to his hearts
content unmolested. The father, however, grad
ually relented, as the playing of his son soon be-
gan to attract attention, and he purchased some
violin studies and presented them to the boy as a
birthday gift. At the age of eight years, Bull
played his first solo in public, at concert in Ber
gen, and created much surprise, even among the
old musicians; for he played concerto by Rode
most admirably. This was a sort Of turning point
in the life of ole Bull and be Immediately be-
came the pet OF the musical public of Bergen. At
the age Of twenty he visited Paris, where he pass
ed through many of the "ups and downs" of life /;
but finally his name became known throughout the
whole civilized world as the greatest violinist
since Peginini and for many years ole Bull and
his I" Mothers Prayer" have been household words
in Europe and America. We spend the time here
in variety of wsys, and have the richest musical
treats almost daily. interpreted with pleasant
conversation, short rides and walks among the
mountain scenery. Every steamer brings fresh
levy of visitors. Ole Bull ia very popular with all
classes. OF course his well known radical poll.
teal ideas do not find favor with the government
officials, but bis music is always acceptable, and
Ole Bull is probably today the most popular man
10 Norway. Since his arrival here he has received
many marks of esteem, both public aud private.
If he goes to Bergen he is sure to be serenaded,
and the public journals are continually sounding
bis praise. The following have from Bull him.
self:
BULL AND THE POLICE.
In 1850 he established the National Drama in
Norway at his own private expense. He met
with considerable opposition from the chief of po
lice in Bergen. Bull had neglected to provide re.
served seats in bis theater for that functionary,
bis family, and the members of the police force of
the city. According TO an old obsolete Danish
law, the city officials are to be dead heads " at
all bear and monkey shows that may pass through
9ssaGN and rns Jaw would hsfdranyy apply
10 him. but Bull did not think the police had a
right to reserved seats unless they paid for them
like other people. AS the offcious chief of po-
lice, however, continued 10 annoy him, he con.
cluded to have some sport, and, having caused a
board eight feet long, by four wide, to be pre-
pared, he had the following painted in large let
fprc a.
This board was nailed up in the theater directly
over the seats that were designed for the officers
Of the law. The audience assembled on the ap-
pointed night, and the sight Of the immense sign
caused great merriment, and, of course brought
matters to a crisis. Legal proceeding were insti.
tuted against the eccentric musician" and, after
q loug and tedious examination, the Supreme
Court adjudged Bull not guilty. after the chief of
police lost his position by his officiousness
Still the suit cost Bull great deal of money and
anxiety. But he had the satisfaction of proving
that be was right, and the National Drama was
played at his theater for nine years. He has
since presented the building to the city of Ber
gen.
Although Norway is most beautiful country,
great numbers emigrate yearly to America. Last
year ten thousand Norweeians settled 10 Mime
sofa alone, ne cause Of this is said to be mostly
On account of the best part of the fertile land IN
Norway being in the hands Of the clergy, who,
Ike the dog in the manger,' will not work it
nor sell it, consequently the peasant who has
little means at his command prefers to emigrate
TO America, where land is cheap and productive.
Ole Bull spends bis summers at Vaestrand, sur.
rounded by sdmiring friends. He has several
brothers residing in Bergen, and many relatives.
His wife died in 1850. He has one son and two
daughters now living; the son, Alexander, lis at
present in America. In the autumn the artist
begins his professional tours, and his housekeeper
assures me that after he is gone the tones Of his
violin are distinctly heard in the music room.
The people OF Norway are noted for being some.
C4wa wYwrof to 10 RUl
several ladies have informed me that they have
heard the organ in the music room played by
mysterious hands, long after the inmates OF the
villa haze retired. As yet, however, your corre-
spondent has not been favored with any OF this
spiritual music.
YesterdaY, however, while at dinner, sounds OF
sweet music suddenly caught our ears. sug.
gested that 1t was probably bis ghoStshtp. and
politely asked one of the ladies IL she would favor
me Nth an introduction. AS we were conversing,
the sounds drew nearer, and, upon looking ont OF
the window, several musicians were discovered
playing plaintive Norwegian melody. Ole Ball
sent the servant IN in vito thom. They proved 10
be members of the military band at Bergen who
had walked StCei, mae-~over the mountains 10
serenade ole Bull. After partaking of some re-
freshments, they proceeded to the music room,
and, at nv request, performed some of the beauti.
full compositions of Rikhard Nordraak. young
Norwegian composer, who died at the early age
of twenty four years. His music IS full OF tender
pathos and strikingly original. He was warm
to tie great yiolinist.
The Norwegians thoroughly understand the art
of enjoyment. / think, in their social entertain
ments emo anusements, they are far ahead OF the
French and Germans. They are proverbially hos
pitabe, especially so in country places.
strange custom after meals also prevails here :
The guests shake hands al round, aud when
they come TO the host they say, " Tax for
nGden, !" which is equivalent to " Thank you for
food'' The host responds with, 4" Vel bekOmnle,"
or, Much good may you receive from it." Toe
| language closely resembles the English, and il
easily acquired Ole Bull will return to the
United States in early autumn, and give his first
| concerts in Boston, commencing on the I'D Sep
| TENDER, and in New York the LIST of October. He
| haE presented your correspondent with magnih'
| cent Cremona violin, made by Anat in 1916,
which is priceless souvenir Of his visit TO Nor
way and the generosity Of Ole Bull.
| Yours truly, j. FAY WATSON.
4 TRIO or Oh SALTs.--Csptain David Elwell,
| formerly CT Gloucester, who sailed out OF salem
nearly fifty years ago. has returned here to reside;
| He is eighty years OF age, and finely preserved
| specirnen Of 2 gliD.master of the old school. de