Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-09-20
OLE BULL AT HOME,
The Great Norwegian EiOlinist
i'm Norway.

Bull. dlt5lIduu 10 io
snot. situated in a charming valley, about
eigbteen miles from Bergen. Although
ole Bull was born in Bergen, most OF
his Youthful days was passed at Wales
trand and there is a cave, a short DIS
lance from the house, where, as a boy,
the violinist practiced his first crude ideas
of music. Many we're the hours he spent
in this lonely cave, with no other com
nsniou than his loved violin. The peas
ants, as they passed to and ire on the
road lust below the cave, were puzzled
70 determine where the music proceeded
from. and it was some time before the
saactum of the young musician was dis
covered. When a boy, Ole Bull was not
EXEMPT from the troubles and trials that
most "fddlers must pass
tbrouOb. The violin in the hands OF the
novice during the first months OF practice
leyenif he possessed the requisite TALENT,
IS not a ~facinating instrument, and the
most agonizing and doleful sounds are
elected by the young beginner. Ole
RulIs parents, as well as the family
generally. quite naturally objected to his
practicing in the house, and especially
at night. as the boy was IN the habit oil
" tuning up his fiddle at all hours to
suit his fancy. Several castigatiOns IRON
the father soon put a stop TO further an
~noyance, and the young asplrant was
compelled to resort to the friendly cave,
where he could practice to his heart S
| content unmolested. The father, how
ever. gradually relented, as the playing
| of his son soon began to attract atten-
ton. and he purchased some violin stud
les and presented them to the boy as a
| birthday gift. At the age Of eight years.
| Bull PLAYED his first solo in public, at a
concert in Bergen, and created much
sunrise. even among the old musicians (;
for he played a concerto, by hode' most
| admirably. This was I sort of turning
noint IN the life of Ole Bull, and he I'M
mediately became the pet of the musical
public Of Bergen. At the age Of twenty
he visited Paris, where he passed through
many of the " ups and downs OF lie
but finally his name became known
throughout the whole civilized world as
the greatest violinist since Paglnlnl, and
for many years Ole Bull and his " Moth
er's PrIyer" have been household words
in Europe and America. We spend the
time here in a variety Of ways, and have
the richest musical treats almost daily.
ip~terspersed with pleasant conversation
short rides and walks among the noun
tain scenery. Every steamer brings
fresh levy of visitors. Ole Bull Is very
popular with all classes. OF course MI
weil-known radical political ideas do no
find favor with government officials, bu'
his Music is always acceptable, and Ol'
Bull is probably to-day the most popular
man in Norway. Since his arrival here
he has received many marks OF esteem
both public and private. If he goes t.
Rerpep he is sure to be serenaded, anC
the public journals are continually sound
ing his praise. The following l hay
/, from Bull himself
/, In 1850 he established the Natlona
/, Drama in Norway at his W privat
: expense. He met with considerable OF
/, position from the chief Of police |
Bergen. Bull had neglected to proyld
; reserved seats in his theater for tina
= functionary, his family, and the member
. of the police force of the city. Accord
r inc 70 an old obsolete Danish law, tn
. city officials are TO be privileged "dea
I heads" at all bear and monkey show
] that NAV pass through the country {
: here remind the musician that he was
n " Bull" and this law would n~aturall
n spplv to HIM but Bull did not thin
i, the police had 4 right to reserved sea
unless they paid for them like 9th
I @peopls. As the Ofhcious chief of polio
d however. continued TO annoy him, /
o concluded to have some sport, and hayln
f caused a board eight feet long, by foI
wide. to be prepared, he had the follow
ing painted thereon in large letters
= L" Pkese seats are reserred for the P0ttN.
s This board was nailed up in the theat'
directly over the seats that were designe
for the officers of the law. The audien'
assembled on the appointed night, al
d the sight of the immense sign cause
great merriment, and, of course, brougl
e matters to a crisis. Legal proceeding
were instituted against the eccentr
n musician" and after a long and tedioI
= examination, the Supreme Court adjudg'
/ Bull not guilty, after the chief of pole
e lost his position by his over o~ficiousnes
( Still the suit cost Bull a great deal
money and anxiety. But he had Il
) satisfaction of proving that he tcas rigl
and the National Drama was played
d his theater for nine years. He has sim
Y presented the building to the city
v Bergen.
Although Norway is a most beautlf
n country, great numbers emigrate year
&c to America. Last year ten thousal
Norwegians settled in Minnesota alOn
al The cause Of this is said to be mostly
account of the best part of the ferti
land in Norway being in the hands
is the clergy, who, like the dog IN
re munger" will not work it nor sell I
" consequently the peasant who has hit
of means at his command prefers to en-
crate to America. where land Is che
n and productive. Ole Bull spends l
ID summers at Valestrand, surrounded
he admiring friends. lie has several brot
ers residing in Bergen, and many re.
&c tives. His wife died in 1860. He b
cd one son and two daughters now hvin
so the son Alexander, is at present
* America. In the autumn the artist |
to gins his professional tours, and ]
ht housekeeper assures me that after he
D. gone the tones Of his Uioljn arc disttac
heard IN the music room. The people
TX Norway are noted for being somewf
1t. superstitious, and since my visit to {
in Bull several ladies have informed
IN that they have heard the organ in t
"a music room played by mysterious han
ed long after the inmates Of the villa had
IS retired. As yet, however, your corr
II. pendent has not been favored with a
of Of this spiritual music. Yesterd;
..e however, while at dinner, sounds of swt
on music suddenly caught u ears. l 81
nd gested that it was probably his ghostsh
e, and politely asked one Of the ladies
Ks she would favor me with an introdueti'
en- AS we we're conversing, the sounds DR.
!; naarar and upon looking out of I