The National tribune., 1893-03-30


1t was All old saying that what compound
is to simple addition, SO is Scotch to English
| April !oolipg. The excursions of the "canny
| Scot " in this domain were often the result OF
profound forethought. For example, wag No.
! l, we shall say, having designs on simple
! Andrew Thomson, sends him of with letter.
ostensibly of the last Importance, to wag No. 2,
several miles distant, the missive probably con-
tanning delicate hint after this fashion:
i This is the first day of April,
Hunt the gowk another mile"
Wag No. 2 grasps the idea without difficulty,
| and gravely informs poor Andrew that unior-
/ tunately he cannot furnish him with the de-
| sired information, but he will give him note
/ to a friend of his, two or three miles further
| on who will probably be able to accommo date
| him and SO the wight will keep up the quest,
until some kind soul takes pity on him.
As recently as 1850 some gay spirits in Lon
/ don perpetrated successful bit of foolery on
| the wholesale plan, which became widely
! famous at the time. Toward the latter part of
March hosts of prominent people received
through the post the following card, with an
inverted sxpence stamped on one of the cor
ners for official effect:
Tower of London. Admit Bearer and
Friend 20 view annual Ceremony of Washing
the White Lions, on Sunday, April 1st, 1860.
Admittance only at White Gate.
at is particularly requested that no gratui.
ties be given to Warden Attendants"
The ruse worked so well that cabs innumer-
able ratified around Tower Hill all the morn
ing, disturbing the customary peace of the
Sabbath. in vain attempt to discover the
White Gate
April fooling has long been practiced in
France, too, where they call their jokes "pois-
sons d'Avril." In fact, the French seem to
have been familiar with this pastimc earlier
than their neighbors across the channel. It is
a matter of history how Francis, Duke of
Lorraine, and his wife, managed to escape from
captivity at Nantes on April /. Dressed as
peasants, they started off boldly to pass the
sentries. Somebody perceving their identity,
ran ahead and warned the guards. They
laughed dcrisiyely, however, and shouted back
knowingly Poisson d'Avril!" So the sup
posed peasants escaped easily.
A French woman once stole watch from
friend OH the LIST of April. When brought up
for trial, she said it was merely poisson
d'Avri." Then" said the Judge we shall
have to imprison you until April lst next year,
when you will be released like poisson
d'Avril."
A Swedish traveller of the last century,
named Tareen. made the following entry in
his diary: We set sail on April 1st, and the
wind made April fools of US. for we were
forced to return before Shagen."
In Lisbon they have habit Of fooling ON the
Sunday and Monday before Lent 1t is thought
vastly funny there to throw water in the faces
Of passersby or q handful of -four. This,
though, savors more of the usual carnival license
Of southern Europe.
very good Aprl-fool story has been told at
the expense of the eminent composer, Rossni,
when he was resident at Milan aud already
famous On the morning of certain 1st of
April he received the following pleasing note
"a lady who has come from Rome to Milan
especially to make the acquaintance of the
Maestro, whose melodies encrcle the globe, and
carry his fame into all parts of it, will await
you this evening at La Scala, in Box No. 8, of
the first tier, to tell you viva voce what she
dare not intrnst to paper" Now this great
man was really Unfortunately conceited where
the fair were concerned. Therefore he was
simply ticklcd to death with this effusion:
noticing the delicate handwriting the subtle
perfume, and the imposing crest. all be-
tokening some dame of high degree. lone
| more conquest" he softly murmured.
| While INDUCING in tender reveres the tenor,
/ David, noted for his caustc humor as we'll as
his fine voice. dropped in upon him. In the
course of conversation he remarked, Have
| you heard the news? The wife of the Ambas.
| sador of France has arrived in town" -
| "Is she pretty?" inquired Rossini, languidly.
"Adorable, and she happens to be wild about
your music. Her first thought was to secure
| box for tonight"
The Maestro woke up. "For tonight" he
asked, eagerly.
"Yes," replied David. 81 was at the theatcr
| when the servant came. He engaged box in
| the first tier"
"Do you know the number of the box?"
"No. o. think"
Rossini nearly swooned with Joy after David's
departure. When evening arrived he made the
most elaborate toilet, soaked himself with per.
| fumes, and had his hair cured till he was we'll
nigh irresistible, and then sailed forth OH easy
| conquest beat. On reaching La Scala he soon
gained an entrance into box No. 8, but found
it empty.
"Ab, a trife ea-ly' he said to himself.
Swell people never arrive on time" He lin
gercd anxiously through the frst and second
! acts, and the conclusion Of the third found him
| fretting and tuning like Gagged animal The
door was slightly opened at this junc.ure, and
anote thrown in by an attendant.
1t read as follows:
| MY DEAR MAESTRO. The Ambassadress of
| France las charged the undersigned with her ex-
/ cuses. 1T Is impossible for her to to the
tleatcr tonight for three reasons: In the first
| place, she has not left Rome; secondly, she will
/ probably never come to Milan, because, thirdly
| and lastly, she doesn't exist. French Ambassador
has been a widower for three years
| Accept. incompatible Maestro, tho assurance of
| the profound esteem Of the undersigned,
| Always your devoted adiuirer.
| PRIMO APRIIE
Fool that / ami" groaned poor Rossin A
| little later he encountered David in the wings
| evidently in contortiops of mirtb.
"Well," remarked his malicious friend,
found you the trick well played?"
The composer of "Il Barbieri'' never forgot