The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-08
STREET MUSICIANS.
Some in London Who Are Pros
porous Beggars.

Just at present by far the most remark
able group Of strOlling- players in London
owes its popularity, not only to the attract
iveness of its turnout, but to the studied
mystery under which the clever fakfrs con-
ceal their identity. The cable letters have
made us familiar with the case of the vaga-
bond nobleman who trundles hand-organ
bearing the inscription, I am Viscount
Hinton, eldest son of Earl Poulet. My
father for no fault of mine. refuses to sup
port me and 1 take this means of making an
honest livelihood The originator Of the
group l have reference to" writes a con-
trlbutor to the New York Epoch, taking
INIT from the good crowd that invariably
HOOKS around the noble Viscount, hit upon
happy idea that was well calculated to ex-
cite the curiosity Of street-idlers and make
them believe that thew were being enter
tanned by at least a real live Duke and his
lady. The man is ACCOMPANIED bv 4 woman,
They are both apparently young and dress
in a manner that leaves no doubt in ones
mind of the material prosperity of their
scheme When l say they are apparently
young l speak as positively as by
stander can, for the most peculiar thing
about the couple is that they are both
MASKED. As IN additional means OF con-
cealUeht the woman wears black domino
over her styls dress They cover a wide
area IN the YrSe Of the day. for they
travel in a 81 all cart, drawn by noble
litti0 horse. Be ides its grotesque OCcu-
pants the cart contains a genuine novelty
IN the shape OF a full-siZad upright piano.
The man plays selections from Schumann,
Chopin and other classical composers in a
manner that bespeaks the trained ear and
practiced hand. He accompanies for the
woman, who has fine meZZO-SODranO voice
and sings well in Italian ard English. She,
IN turn, accompanies the man in his songs.
Although he has not much voice, he sings
fairly we'll and covers up the defect by
well-timed gestures. His fayOrte piece
seems to be the TOTead0r song from
'CarlHen, and its conclusion is always re-
WaTded by generous shower of small
coins. The Identity Of the clever pair has
never been solved, ana they take great care
that no accident shall betray them, for the
secret Of their great success lies in the garb
Of mystery that they have puTposely drawn
about them, and no one knows that better
than they do themselves. By keeping out
Of arms reach Of the crowd they run little
risk OF exposure The police do not seem to
take ang notice OF strullng players, so the
law, presumably, must sanction them.
More than once the pair have been followed
by the mOrbldly curious, but the result has
always been the same. Either the shadow
eTs have became tired or the little brown
uidl has lOct llICtll III BIc vi INC uidEN t1-
wildeTing labyTinths of lanes and alleys
which make London such friend Ii need
TO the pursued.
The noble Viscount | have mentioned
does not find il such a hard job TO earn his
honest livelihood as one would suppose.
Although the novelty Of seeing member OF
the aristOcracy transformed into mOunte-
back has long since worn off. good crowd
Invariably gathers at his entertainments
and seems pleased at the opportunity al
fOrded i. Of contributing to the support OF
blue blood in such a democratic fashion.
The NiScOunt is accompanied on his per-
CARNATIONS by woman. They both dress
well, and seem TO agree very nicely IN their
strange partnership, although 1t has been
noticed that the NiScOuut has diSgarded the
feeling Of Chivalry that distinguished him at
nrSt and that he now allows his lair COM
paniOn to do her full share of the 'demd
horrd grind on the organ. The woman,
though, seems much devoted TO him, and
her manner is quite touching when she
looks mp TO him proudly every time she
sings Wait Till the Clouds Roll By
''One Of the most successful Of the street
entertainers is a youth who dances and
sings seriO-comic songs to the accOmDani-
ment Of a hand-OTgan, which man turns
for him. it is TO be hoped that the boy
hires the man; for if the reverse is the case
he is pretty sure 10 receive only small
share Of the sixpences which his clever
ness brings forth. The boy wears very
elaborate dress, consisting OF blue satin coat
and kuee-bTeecheS, lace rutfles, pink silk
stockings and high silk hat. He is a really
clever dancer and very amusing.
"Of course, there has to be a darker side
&c this picture Of we'll paid street perform
ing. Every one cannot be a prosperous
beEgar any more thaa he can be a success
full worker. In London there are hundreds
Of men and women who 90 about singing
with no accompaniment of any sort. They
are the DarlaSh Of the profession, and re-
ceiye much more consideration from the
public than from their thrifty brethren.
The majority of them are very Wretched-
looking, especially the women. who usually
have IA baby and often two or three other
children hanging TO their skirts Their
songs are generally in the form of a re-
cital of their woes, concluding with a petit