The times., 1900-12-23
PAGAN1's LITTLE RESTAURANT.
The Resort of Many Artists and Mu-
sicians in London.
(From The London Mail.) }


When famous musician recently visit
ed Spain the Queen said to him, oh Mr..
| - want to ask you about very in
teresting room in a restaurant in Lon
| dom
The room which the Queen was so anx-
ious to hear about is part of Pagani's
| restaurant, In Great Portland Street
| From the upholsterer's point of view il is
a very unpretentious room. indeed yet 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 artists and few
| bars of music from the works of the mu-
| sicians.
Some years ago. when few Bohemians
| OF the best type made Pagani's little res
! tatTant their rendezvous. the names OF
| Tosti and Pellegrini were unknown to
| fame. Pellegrini's skill as cartoonist
| however, was bound TO be recognized.
| while Tosti's musical talents carried him
| into the foremost rank of the song writ
| ers. 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, Forever and for
ever" which, il is stated on good author.-
ty, was composed at Pagani's. Another
interesting souvenir, this time of dead
musician, are few bars of Tschaikow-
sky's composition, with his signature at
tached. VI. Paderewkski's autograph is
near at hand, ard Signcr Mascagni CON
tributes some notes from .'Cavalleria
Rusticana," Pagani's cuisine so delighted
NJ. Lamoureux, the famous French con-
ductor, that he composed a little piece In
its honor, and forthwith wrote 1t 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. 4 few bars of 'Funiculi Fu-
nicula, with the autograph IL. Denza," is
also among the features of the collection
The autographs of notable musical Ieo-
pie are without number. Here We find
such names as Mario, Melba. CaIve. Cha
minade, Jean de Reszke, Alvarez, Plan
con, Sarasate, Sir Alexander Mackenzie
and host of others. Very interesting is
the appearance side by side of the sigma
lures clara Butt" and ''Kennerley Rum
ford written a year or so before their
marriage
The artists who appear in Pagani's col
lection include Val Prinsep and Phil May !
The genial ci.rieaturist has drawn char |
acteristic sketch of himself with the in |
evitable big cigar.
Naturally. the theatrical world is TO |
the fore. Julia Nelson" and Mary An
derson de Navarro are among the names !
written on tNe WALL ftemlnlSCeDI OF SOutH
Africa are the autographs Of "Dr. Jim
and Lord Grey.
Royalty has often partaken of Pagani's
fare in this unpretentious apartment. FL
nanciers who are able to move the money
markets of Europe have dined in this lit
tie ROOM diplomats and politicians OF
world wide celebrity have examined with
interest their novel surroundings while
discussing the fare placed before them.
II all the great people who have dined
in the little room had written their au-
tographs 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 dis
tinguished personages it has been diff
cult at times to prevent little people from
placing their names on the roll of fame
A number of the distinguished men who
have left souvenirs at Pagani's have join
ed the great majority and their handi-
work is pointed out with special rever-
ence. Once effaced, it could never be re-
placed. But in spite of its priceless value,
Pagani's collection on n famous occasion
escaped destruction. A newly
German waiter decided 10 cele-
brate his arrival on the scene b. display
ing extraordinary zeal Cor cleanliness and
order. Seeing what he subsequently de-
scribed as dose dirty writings on de
vall,' he proceeded TO wipe them off with
the aid of pail of hot water and a cloth.
The jealous Teuton had begun to remove
Phil Mays features when the Mortified
proprietor appeared and in a very brief
space of time Pagani Knew that German
waiter no more.
Steps were at once taken to prevent
any further acts of vandalism. and sheets
Of glass now protect the wall on which
figures Pagani's famous collection