The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-27

American writers. At the end of the first number,
as | stepped down and made my customary bow
in response to the applause, an equerry came
forward and told that his majesty desired
my march, Glands Across the Sea- as en-
core, to which / responded, and then played the
second number. which the SCI Captain
march. Then the king sent word that he had
heard my opera during its run in London, and de-
sired TO renew his acquaintance with its mel
odes, and accordingly played long selection
from eel Captain" The concert proceeded in
this manner to the end, the cauerry notifying
me in each instance Just what encore was desired.
"Thc Stars and Stripes Forever" received
with particular enthusiasm. At the end OF the
programme the equemy notified me that tie
king desired to speak to me, and as | stepped
forward his majesty advanced a few PAGES 10
meet we with outstretched hand and cordial
grasp. You don't give them much rest, but they
seem to be happy fellows and spoke of the
wonderfully soft and mellow tone al the from
bone as played by Mr.. Arthur Pryor Also he
said some nice things about my music, and turn
ing to the queen, to whom had been presented,
lie said: You know he writes those wonderful
marches At this remarked that | should like
to have the honor OF writing one for his majesty,
TO which he graciously assented remarking,
That's good idea
'Then the king thanked me for the pleasure
the concert had given him, and asked me to ac
cept the decoration of the Victorian Order as
souvenir of my visit to Sandrinsham, at the
same time handing me the medal in a box which
he had taken from his aided de-camp. | expressed
my thanks for the honor as gracefully as posi-
ble and then the king remarked that, while the
concert was delightful, there wasn't enough of it,
Whereupon l offered to play all night if he SO
desired, and the king said, Suppose you do give
us another Play the King Cotton March,
whereat the Duchess of Manchester also said
10
both of which requests I readily assented. The
king then desired me TO close the concert by
playing "rhc Star spangled Banner once more.
~ went back to the band and found the men
all very curious TO know what the king had given
me. After playing the march and soon song re-
quesed, played God Save the King wfereupon
everybody arose except his majesty Then when
l swung into the strains of the American national
anthem, the king arose also, and the entire audi.
ence remained standing until the concluding bar,
after which the king and queen retired l was
then introduced to the Prince and Princess OF
Wales and others. The princess evineed great
interest in the American hymn tunes that we
played and asked me to send her the music OF
some of them. His royal higlness noting the
medals I wore, asked NE what they were, and
told him that the palms of the Acad.
emie Franchise bestowed upon me by the French
government, another the headquarters badge OF
the Sixth corps United States army, while the
third had been given me by English friends to
commemorate my success at the Royal Albert
hall. Then he asked me where I intended wear.
ing my new decoration, to which | replied: On
the same lne-but over the heart The prince
then proposed to pin the decoration upon my
coat, and taking the little box from my hand,
he did so with few pleasant words. The
cert party then returned to the special train
awaiting, the kings automobile being again pro.
yded for me. At the train | was handed has.
kct containing four preasants shot by the king,
which he sent TO me with his compliments Sup.
per was served to our party on the return trip,
and we reached London shortly after midnight
tired but happy,
Tile whole occasion was an illustration of the
graciousness and tact OF King Edward There
was an entire absence of stlted ionnality and
the king put me very much at case when con-
versing with me, lie impressed me as very
strong personality, man aSsuredly born to
command, He seemed TO be in the very best of
health and spirits, and his strong hand clasp
contradieted the report of falling strength"