Sharp County record., 1877-10-19


rity.
"How will | do now?" inquired
Foley, somewhat anXiously, after the
lesson was over.
"Wen, you've improved; and I'll
give you three lessons week, begin
ming from tonight, at the same hour"
"Thank YOU" said the steadfast car
penter; "if you please, I'll pay quar-.
ter in advance" and he put roll OF
notes on the table,
Mr.. Barnett was somewhat taken
aback, and was about to make some
protest, but before he could speak Foley
had seized his cap, and left the room.
He had, however, not gone far before
he remembered he had forgotten some
thing. He returned, and, knocking at
the door, was at once admitted.
"Could you tell me where l might
find teacher that would instruct me in
Italian?"
If bombshell had fallen in the room,
Mr.. Barnett could not have expressed
greater surprise. "Italian!" he eX-
claimed, "what on earth do you want
with Italian?n
"Well, sir, | can't hel p it; but know
that, please God, if | live I'll sing in the
opera; and, of course, | must know
Italian
"But, my good friend" replied Mr..
Barnett, never supposing the thing
feasible, "what on earth are you to do
with that brogue of yours?n
"Well, l thought of that, and I'll
just depress it."
Eventually it was arranged that, in
addition to the singing lessons, Mr..
Barnett should also give him instruction
in Italian; and pupil and master parted
equally pleased with one another.
For four long years did Foley, the
carpenter, study three evenings week
with Mr.. Barnett, that gentleman get
ting more and more interested in his
pupil. John Foley labored day after
day at his trade; and as his grand voice
commenced to develop, and his indom-
liable perseverance and application
overcame all obstacles, his maestro be-
gan to see the bright future that was be-
fore him.
At last the day came when the car
penter was to lay aside his tools, and
commence that career which has since
raised him to the high position be now
occupies. Mr.. Barnett could teach him
no more; he had got beyond what was
required of ordinary pupils, and the
carpenter prepared to finish his studies
in France and Italy.
1t must not for one moment be sup
posed that during his novitiate, so to
speak, Foley had nothing beyond his
crude ignorance and uneducated char
acter to contend against; on the con-
trary, he had to endure the SCOTS and
jeers of his compeers, the ridicule OF his
fellow-c craftsmen, who styled him mad
man, enthusiast, dreamer, and even
worse epithets, whilst his nearer relations
accused him of frittering away his money
upon a chimera which ought of right to
90 to the support of the declining day
of his parents. Notwithstanding all
this, he kept steadily on. No hero OF
romance could have been more persistent
in his suit to his lady love, than he was
in his wooing of his muse, and so he
labored on steadfastly to the end. On
his departure, Mr.. Barnett gave him a
letter of introduction to Nine. Santon
Dolby, then the great musical authority
and artist in Paris. In it he said he did
not know what Foley might turn out,
or if she could utilize him in any way;
but he commended him to her atten-
ton.
1t was Madame Santon Dolby who
gave Foley his first chance before the
public; since then the world is acquaint-
ed with his history better than any pen
of mine can relate.
At the present moment, Signor Fol-,
the greatest basso in the world, is re-
ceived everywhere in the best society,
not alone for his talents as an artist, but
for his early history; not that he is
ashamed of it, far from it, but the
musical world, who think there is
nothing like the Italian school, love to
think Of him as "Signor Foli," instead
of plain "Jack Foley"
In addition to his abilities as a singer,
he is an excellent and painstaking actor.
In the scene where he casts the bullets
in "Der Freischutz" Foley invariably
insists upon casting the bullets himself
en- the stage, and cooling them in the
water, so as to send cloud of steam
upon the scene. As Mephistopheles he
is unequaled, whilst his rendition Of the
Italian language is purity itself.
And this man, this hero of modern
music, this elegant habitue of the salons
of London, Paris and Vienna. comes
from the masses of the Irish people;
though, let us thank God, he had the
advantage of an early grounding in
country where mans talents are bet
ter than dukes birthright, and his