The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-22


 her now. But she soon realized that the big island in the southern seas was not all the world. Native art, music and lit erature were .unhonored there Only that which bore the seal of London, New York or Paris was recognized as genius. The voice of her destiny came to her from over seas, and she prepared to answer the summons.
 But there are wide waters to be cross ed by one who leaves the Antipodes to seek fame or fortune in Europe, and Nell lie Armstrong. cut off by her millionaire father was without funds. Friends ar ranged for a benefit at the Melbourne town hall and there she made her last appearance prior to her departure. The attendance was so poor that the concert is said to have yielded only about ten pounds. It was in humiliation, rather than in triumph, that she boarded a ves- sel for Europe a few days later.
 This was about nineteen years ago, and five years afterward she was forgotten in Australia. Then there began to come to the newspapers of Melbourne and Sydney dispatches that told of a series of triumphs won. in European capitals by Mime. Meba, an Australian singer. The music lovers of Australia were perplexed until they discovered that 'Melba" was a name assumed by Nellie Armstrong | in remembrance of her native city. | Tn Australia as elsewhere, nothing suc- ceeds like success. It was from Austra- | lia, 1t may be remembered that Micawber wrote to Copperfield that all eyes in that | distant country marked This eagle fight" | in England. And the unblinklng Anti | podean eyes of young generation were | watching Melba now.
 | Curiosity soon gave place to satlsfac- tion, and thls, in turn, was succeeded by | a spirit of jubilation. One would have | thought that every inhabitant of Aus | tralia was a qualified musical critic, and that every man, woman and child who | had known Nellie Armstrong had been her friend. Even Mrs. Grundy preened herself and told all who would listen how she had always predicted great things for that dear child'
 From time to time elabo-ately worded | letters were sent to Mme Melba beseech- l ing her to return to her native country, and to give It's inhabitants an opportunity | of demonstrating the strength of their affection. Several of these petitions went unanswered. Then the great singer ap- | peared to relent, and finally she an- nounced that she would visit Australia in 1902, by way of the United States. Her | decision caused general rejoicing through 1 out the commonwealth, and many plans were formed for celebrating her arrival.
 From the time when Melba embarked | at Vancouver, on the vessel that was to take her to Australia, the progress of l the ship was reported as if the King of Great Britain was aboard. When it en- tered the port of Brisbane, it was board ed by a reception committee, which form | ally welcomed her to the island-continent. | The committee escorted her from the ves- sel to special train placed at her service by the government. The car assigned to her use was that of the governor-general of Australia Lord Hopetoun, who held the office. was then in Europe. and Lord Tennyson sent an aide-de-camp to meet Mime. Melba on her arrival at Brisbane, and to welcome her in his name.
 There was much speculation as to the probable relation between the prima donna and her father Old Mir. Mitchell kept his own counsel, but when his daughters arrival was reported. he stolidly boarded a train and went to AL 1 bury to meet her on her way to Mel bourne The meeting was dramatic. So overcome by emotion was the grim hard | featured old man, that he ruptnred a blood vessel in his throat. He was taken l to a house in Albury and for the next | two days. wearing the apron of nurse, 1 his daughter remained by his bedside. | When she resumed her journey to Mel | bourne, her father went with her in the l governor-generars car.
 | Seldom before had Melbourne witnessed | such demonstration as that which att | tended the arrival of the Australian l singer. Flags were displayed everywhere and thousands of people lined the streets along which a great procession escorted | Mime. Melba to her hotel.
 But the ardor of the cheering throngs soon was dampened by the manner in which the city's guest of, honor regarded their demonstrations Neither by nod l nor smile did the naughty singer ac- | knowledge the plaudits of the multitude. Only once was the apathetic expression on her features seen to change This l was while her carriage was passing the stock exchange from which banner was stretched across the street with the words Our Nellie" emblazoned upon it. Mime. Melba surveyed this for moment with an expression of scorn. then shrugged her shoulders and turned away
 Among the many delegations that par ticipated in the public reception was one from the Presbyterian Ladies' college. Scores of pupils from this institution. all clad in white. approached to welcome the diva, but the coldness with which they were received soon showed that Nellie l Mitchell had not forgotten that the Pres byterian Ladies' college had once turned her from its doors.
 Declining the suite of rooms that had been made ready for her occupancy. Mime Melba rented one of the finest mansions in the town. Here it was announced she would receive her friends
 Her friends, All Melbourne society alighted at her door, and all society was discomfited Nearly all the womenfollS greeted her as Nellie" and asked her if she did not remember this or that incl dent of the past. But Nellie was the