The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-31
PAGANI'S BOHEMIANS.
TFrom the London Mail. ]
In connectI
illustrated weel

When famous musician recently Wis
tied Spain the queen said to him, "Ch,
Mr. -, want to ask you about a very
interesting room in a restaurant in Lon
dom
The room which the queen was 50
anxious to hear about is part of Paga-
mis- restaurant. in Great Portland street.
From the upholsterer's point of view it
is very unpretentious room, indeed ;ye-
on its walls are written autographs of
some of the most famous artists and
musicians of our day. accompanied, in
some cases, by little sketches by the ar
lists and few bars Of music from the
works of the musicians.
Some years ago, when a few Bohe-
MARS of the best type made Pagani's
little restaurant their rendezvous. the
names OF Tosr1 ana FeIIegr1nI were -uu-
known to fame. PelIegrinis skill as a
cartoonist, however. was bound to be
recognized, while Tosti's musical talents
carried him into the foremost rank Of
the song writers. Pagani's has grown
since, but its traditions cling.
Among the musicians is Signor Tosti.
who signs his name to the opening bars
of his famous song, For ever and for
ever" which, it is stated on good au-
thority, was composed at Pagani's. Ar
other interesting souvenir, this time Of a
dead musician, are a few bars of Tschhai-
kOWSky'S composition, with his sigma
ture attached. M. Paderewskf's auto
graph is near at hand. and Signor Mas
cagni contributes some notes from Cav
alleria Rusticana," Pagani's cuisine 50
delighted NJ. Lamoureux, the famous
French conductor that he composed a
little piece in its honor and forthwith
wrote it on the wall, and not far away
from this appears the opening notes Of
You should see me dance the polka. ."
duly signed by George Grossmith. A few
bars of "FunicuH Funicula," with the
autograph Il. Denza,' is also among
the features of the collection.
The autographs of notable musical
find such names as Mario. AIe1ba, Calve,
Chaminade, Jean de Reszke Alvarez,
PIancon, Sarasate, Sid Alexander Mac
kenZie and a host of others. Very in
teresting is the appearance side by side
of the signatures CLARA Butt" and
t'Kennerley Rumford,' written year
or so before their marriage.
The artists who appear In Pagani's
collection include Val Prinsep and Phil
May. The genial caricaturfst has drawn
a characteristic sketch OF himself with
the inevitable big cigar.
Naturally, the theatrical world is to
the fore. Julia Nelson and Mary An
derson de Navarro are among the
names written on the wall. Reminiscent
of South Africa are the autographs Of
t'Dr. Jim" and Lord Grey.
Royalty has often partaken Of Pa
ganis fare in this unpretentious apart
ment- Financiers who are able to move
the money markets of Europe have
dined in this little room; diplomats and
politicians of worldwide celebrity have
examined with interest their novel sur
roundings while discussing the fare
placed before them.
IF all the great people who have dined
in the little room had written their auto
graphs on the wall, the collection would
be even more valuable than 1t actually
is. But while real celebrities have
shown hesitation to class themselves
among distinguished persona ges, it has
been difficult at times to prevent little
people from placing their names on the
roll of fame. A number of the dis
tinguished men who have left souvenirs
at Pagani's have Joined the great major
ity, and their handiwork is pointed out
with special reverence. Once effaced it
could never be replaced. Bu< in spite'of
its priceless value, Pagani's collection On
a famous occasion narrowly escaped de-
struction- A newly engaged German
waiter decided to celebrate his arrival
on the scene by displaying extraordinary
zeal for cleanliness and order. Seeing
what he subsequently described as dose
dirty wridings on de vail" he proceeded
to wipe them off with the aid of a pail
of hot water and a cloth. The jealous
Teuton had begun to remove Phil Mays
features when the Mortified proprietor
appeared, and in very brief space Of
time Fagani's knew that German waiter
no more.
Steps were at once taken to prevent
any further act of vandalism, and sheets
of glass now protect the painted wall on
which figures Paganfs famous collec-