The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-09-23
"reminiscences Of Ole Bull.

Mr.. Dexter Smith contributes to the
Boston Herald some interesting reminis-
cences of Ole Bull: The violinist was
a very abstemious and careful liver. He
drank no strong liquors and never ate
to excess. His food was simple, con-
sisting largely of fruit and vegetables.
To this mode of life may be attributed
his general good health. He was re-
markedly neat and simple in his attire.
He never wore heels upon his shoes or
boots. contending that they had the
effect of giving the body an unnatural,
STOPPING posture. He had great aver
sion to hypocrisy and affectation. Upon
one occasion, visitor laughed immod-
erately at one of the violinist's witty
stories, and afterward apologized for
seeming rudeness. 80" said Dir. Bull,
''do not mind, like to see any one
natural. Do not be ashamed of laugh
ing nor crying when you feel like it. 1t
is strange that human nature is prone
to make an excuse for its better i'm
pulses"
He dIsliked much of the German mu-
sic, and Wagner's compositions in par
ticular, although he was personally a
warm friend of that composer. He pre-
ferred Italian music to all others. II
do not have to try to like the music of
Verdi" he said; " it comes without try
ing" He considered Aida a master
piece. He was also fond of Gounod's
q Faust" :. Why" he remarked,
" the Germans bang away with their
mechanical exactness and endless
harmonies, but they neglect the
purer, sweet melodies which reach the
heart of the people. The majority of
the public have no time to read between
the lines" Captions critics have averred
that Ole Bull was not a classical musi-
clan, because he played folk songs and
catered to the taste of the public.
9. Why" he said, '' if the people pay
their money to hear me play Lucy
Long and The Arkansas Traveller
why should | not crafty them? L should
feel that | had cheated them if | did
not consult the taste of my audience.
Beside generally play the light pieces
for encOres, after having given them
more solid selections.
Many anecdotes might be related to
illustrate his wonderful good nature and
hearty, sincere desire to add to the hap
piness of all with whom he came in con
tact. Upon one occasion a friend had
called upon him to invite him to take a
ride in the suburbs of Boston. At about
the same time he heard of little boy
of his acqua ntance who had broken his
leg, and was unable to leave his bed.
IS must decline your kind invitation to
ride he replied to his friend, and he
passed the afternoon in playing the vio-
lin for the amusement of the little inva-
lid.
While upon a concert tour in New
England he went into BARRIERS shop
in small town, where he was to play,
in order to be shaved. AS he entered
the shop he found the barber fiddling
away with more strength than skill.
AS the barber began to lather the mu-
stefan face, the latter remarked, $50,
you play the violinP'' 40, yes" was
the reioinder {. am going to hear.the
famous Ole Bull tonight, and / expect
a great treat. Have you ever heard
him?" "Often." said the violinist. 1
p" How do you ike his playing?'l con-
tinued the barber, 80, he plays pretty
well. but I am never fully satisfied with
his work. SIS it possibleP" asked
the barber. "Well, - said he, - 1 am !
going to hear. him tonight andI shall
Judge for myself" When night came
Ole Bull discovered the barber in the
a most attentive listener.
When the violinist entered the shop
again the next morning to be shaved
the barber said, 81 have broken my
fiddle all to pieces" Ole Bull made
him a present of good violin and gave
him, from time to time, some most
valuable instruction.
Meeting beggar in the streets of q
European city, he threw some money
into the hat of the mendicant. He is
Dane" Ole Bull remarked TO his COM
panion, "but he must not starve for all
that" "
One instance is recalled when, hear
ing that a distinguished clergyman had
been engaged to give a lecture for the
benefit of struggling parish and had
taken more than the receipts for his
pay, Mr.. Bull volunteered his services
and freed the society from debt. He
was far from being well on the night of
the concert, but he braved the inclem-
ent weather, saying: g If this had been
an engagement, whereby l was to re-
ceive payment, should have felt like
it, owing to illness, but can
not be excused when such noble cause
is to be assisted"
He disliked rules and creeds with a
feeling approaching detestation. He
created his own canons of art and he
changed them at pleasure. A we'll
known Boston conductor once pleasant
" accused Mr. Bull of never playing
The same piece in the same tempt. OF
course not" was the reply; "anv one
can follow the time in the same. old
way; L never feel in the same mood
twice. Why should l always play in
The same time and with the same color?
It is your plodding nobody who is sat
SIZED. l am ambitiousr' The conduc-
Tor appreciated the wit, if rot the logic.
Of the reply.
1t had been his intention to write a
work upon the violin, and he had, in
TACT, laid out the work, but it is feared
that many of the suggestions he might
nave at least submitted to students of
music will not be given to the world,
unless his widow, who is thoroughly con-
Tersant with his ideas, should think
proper to publish them.