The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-03
GENIUS KNOCKS AT
POOR MANS DOOR
Humble Beginnings of Some World
Famous Artists-Caruso Was a
Soldier When discovered"


Genius is no respecter of persons In
deed. 1t knocks more often at the door
of the poor mans cottage than at the
entrance of the rich mans mansion,
says Tit-Bits
Our own generation Is just as fruit
full as any that are gone in examples of
genius In humble life. of our greatest
living poets. William Watson first saw
the light in a Wharfedale farm house;
and John Masefield, the bright star in
the poetical armament, found his first
inspiration while working in the fields.
J. M. Barrie was born in kirriemuir
cottage, at least as humble as the roof
under which Thomas Carlyle, stone
mason's son, entered the world; and ii.
G. Wells, son of a professional cricket
er' served behind diapers counter be-
fore he discovered gold in his pen
1t would be an easy matter to name
at least score of living authors of
repute for whom life has opened at
least as humbly, without taking into
account such poets Of undoubted if OBJ
scure, genius as A. o. Williams. ham
herman; Joseph Skipsey, the apitman-
poet and others, equally gifted, who
nave earned their daily bread by navvy-
work and farm labor
1t is, however among musicians that
we find the most remarkable examples
OF talent in unexpected places Ales-
sandro Bonci, the world famous sing
er, was working as a bootmaker's ap-
prentice less than 80 years ago; and
when he abandoned the awl to seek a
fortune In his glorious voice. he was
supported by friends, poor like himself
= Ihrs4 f.ff fa..I
month; and was so poor that he was
compelled to tramp IS miles a day-ro
Pesaro and bacS-for his lessons Ca
ruso, at the same time, was welding a
placksmiths hammer; and was serving
as private soldier when a passing Of
ncer discovered the wonder of his voice,
MISS Stella Carol, when she was SINH
larly discovered, was singing on a
hampstead pavement in the chilly dusk
OF winter evening; NJ Glorgini, the
famous Italian singer, when he was
hawking fish in the streets of Naples:
and Herr Rontman when, as a huckster
ne was taking round vegetables on a
wheelbarrow
M Rousseliere, the king of French
operate singers. was, not so many years
ago, working as a blacksmith passing
rich on three francs a day; Mile. Ca
Valieri was first known to local fame
as the prettiest flower-seller in Rome
and her wonderful voice was first heard
IN Paris cafes, where her reward was a.
few eoppers night-just as, long years
earlier the great Christine Nilsson.
queen or SorE,' witched coppers from
e'frequenters of Swedish fairs by her
nightingale notes; and Miss Svia
Gwyn's voice was discovered" when
she was pounding out her soul in
bllthesome song" in a bakers shop at
Pwllhelf
Ana similar romantic stories are told
OF many musician whose name today
rs famous--from Herr Fielder, the Po-
llsh Vlolinist, who was discovered bv a
wealthy Welsh lady in a Tyrolese cafe
chantant to Miss Marie Hail. who, but
rev years ago, was reaping a scantv
harvest of pence by playing in the streets.
Art, like music, calls her clever chill
dren from the most unlikely places There
are hait dozen living policemen who
have proved that they can ply a skilIf,lI
brush, from Mr.. Jones of Leeds. whose
work has been honored by the ROYAL
academy, to p c. Rushen of the city of
Lonoon force, one of whose clever can
vases maH be seen In the nuseum OF
the Guildhail Mr.. Walter Marshall,
whose normal work is the repairing of
electric tramcars, has had a picture ac-
cepted by the academy Nor must we
forget Mr. Samuel Hancock, the London
postman who some time ago, gave an
exhibition of his pictures at the Dore gal
lery; or Mr.. Bloxall, Somerset House
porter whose clever painting has won
much admiration.
That 1t IS possible even without hands
TO wan fame as an artist has been proved
IN several cases. notably in those of Mr..
bertram Hiles and M. Francois de Men
tholon. When a boy of MIR. Hiles had
the misfortune TO lose both arms through
pelng run over by tramcar in Bristol.
undaunted by this terrible handicap. he
set praVely to work TO cultivate his tall
ent for art; ana succeeded so well that.
WITHIN two years, he had won first
class certificate at the Bristol Art schools
Tor freehand drawing, although he was
Obliged TO hold his pencil in his mouth.
In later years he achieved considerable
fame as q painter; several of his can
vases being bought and treasured by no
less exalted patron than Quen Vic
toria.
M. Francois de Mentholon. who is not
only armless, but only possesses one leg.
and who also does his painting with his
mouth actually carried off the coveted
Raigecourt Coyon prize at the salon OF
1896, against the cleverest artists in
France; and Queen Alexandra treasures
an exquisite portait of herself. painted
in pastel, the work of Mile. Rapin. an
armless lady, who paints and draws With
her feet