The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1894-04-06
me of the corners for official effect:

'i'|
Tower of London. Admit bearer
and friend to view annual ceremony of
washing the white lions on Sunday,
April 1, 1860. Admitance onIy at
White Gate
1T is particularly requested that no
gratuities be given to warden or attend
ants
The rusa worked SO we'll that clbs
innnmerAble Sled arouuu Tower Hill
all the mornin g, disturbing the custo-
mory peace Of the Sabbath i'll vain
attempt to discover the White Gate.
April foo'lng has long been practlsed
in France, the victims being called
Poj;ssons d AcrI In fact the French
seem to have been familiar With this
pastime earlier than their neishbors
across the channel.
II is a matter Of history how Francis,
Duke of Lorraine, and his wife mau-
aged to escape from captivity at Nantes
Oh April l. Having assumed the dis
guise Of peasants, they started off bold
ly to pass the sentries. Someone, de-
tecting their identity, ran ahead and
warned the guards. The latter laugh
ed in derislon however, and shouted
back knowingly, Poisson d'Avril. >
SO it was that the supposed peasants
escaped.
Some b:uAc c&prits of the empire had
the temerty to speak of the great Ma
poleon as ':poisson d'Avril" on the
occasion of his marriage to Marie Lou
ise of Austria, April l, 1910.
once heard remarkably good
April Fool story told at the expense of
Rossini, when that eminent composer
was resident of Milan and in the full
sunlight Of his fame.
1t seems that on the morning Of u
certain first Of April he received the
following pleasing though mysterious
note:
"a lady who has come flon Rome to
Milan especially to make the acquaint-
ance Of the Maesro whose melodies
encirclc the globe, and carry his fame
into all parts OF it will await you this
evening at La Scala, in Box No 9 of
the first tier, to tell you oica eoce, what
she dare not inrrus5 to paper
Now, rs :, matter Of fact this great
man was inordnlely conceted in all
his relations with the fair sex. Hence,
It may be believed, he was simply tick
led to the marrow with this etfusion;
noticing with keen delight the delicate
h md handwriting, the subtle perfume
and he imposing crest, al be;okening
some dame of high degree. .'One more
conquest he ftly murmured.
While indulging in tender reyeries,
the tenor David, noted, by the way, for
his caustic humor as well as his fine
voice, dropped in upon him.
In the course of conversation, he re-
marked, "Haye you heard the news:
The wife OF the French ambassador
has arrived in town. -
SIS she pretty inquired Rossinl,
languid y.
"Adorable, and she happens to be
wild about your music. Her first
thought was to secure a box for to-
night
The maestro woke up. For to-
night:?' he asked eagerly.
Yes replied David. | was at the
thea re myself when her servant ar
rived. lie engaged il box in the first
tier
"Do you know the number Of the
box::'
No. 8, | think.
Rossinii ceal1 scarcely contain him.
self, and af er David departure nearly
swooned with the Joy Of anticipation.
When evening arrived, having par
taken of hasty dinner, he proceeded
to make the most elaborate toilet,
choosing the sayeSt garm -nts his ward
robe, soaking himself with perfumes,
and having his hair dressed mill he
was-in short. irresistible. Thus pre-
pared, our hero sailed forth on easy
conquest bent.
On reaching La Scala he soon gain
ed an entrance into box No. 9, but
found it empty.
"Ah. rifle early" II. sid to him
self, these exalted persona 5rs never
arrive OH time.
The curtain went up ana he waited
anxiously with beating heart through
ont the first two acts, but no one ap-
peared to relieve his solitary sta,e.
The conclusion Of the third act found
Il ssini fret lug and funning like
Gagged animal, when suddenly the door