Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-06-28
TALENT DEMOCRATIC
Find Tenors IN BIacksmIth's
Shops Sopranos In Street.
Halt Dozen 1rltIsh Guardians OF the
Peace the Producers Of Merltori-
Gus PaIntIngs--London Poet
man Becomes an Artist.


London.--Genius is no respecter OF
persons. Indeed, II knocks more Of
ten at the door OF the poor mans cot
tage than at the entrance of the rich
mans mansion.
Our own generation 10 just as fruit
full as any that are gone in examples
of genius In humble life. or our great
est living poets. William Watson first
saw the light in Warfedale farm
house; and John Masefield, the latest
star in the poetical armament, found
his first inspiration while working in
the fields. J. M. Barrie was born in
Kirriemur cottage, at least as hum
BILE as the roof under which Thomas
Carlyle, stonemason's SON. entered the
world; and ii. G. Wells, son OF a pro-
fessional cricketer. served behind a
Diapers counter before he discovered
the gold In his pen.
1t would be an easy matter to name
at least a score of living authors of
repute for whom life has opened at
least as humbly, without taking into
account such poets of undoubted, II
obscure. genius as A. o. williams,
Zimmerman; Joseph Skipsey, the pit
man-poet," and others, equally gifted.
who have earned their daily bread by
NAVY work and farm labor.
1t is, however, among musicians that
we find the most remarkable examples
OF talent In unexpected places. AL
lesandro Bonci, the world famous sing
er, was working as bootmaker's APP
prentice less than thirty years ago,
and when he abandoned the awl to
seek fortune In his glorious voice,
he was supported by friends, poor like
himself, who subscribed few francs
each per month; and was so poor that
he was compelled to tramp eighteen
miles u day. to Pesaro. and back. for
his lessons.
Caruso, at the same time, was WELD
ing a blacksmiths hammer; and was
serving as q private soldier when a
passing officer discovered the wonder
of his voice. Miss Stella Carol. when
she was similarly discovered. was
singing ON q Hampstead pavement in
the chilly dusk of a winter evening;
M. Giorgini. the famous italian singer,
when he was hawking fish In the
streets of Naples, and Herr Rontman
when, as huckster, he was taking
around vegetables on a wheelborrow.
M. Rousseliere, the king of French
operate singers, was, not so many
years ago working as blacksmith,
passing rich on three francs day;
Mile. Cavalleri was first known to To-
cal fame as the prettiest flower seller
in Rome. and her wonderful voice
was first heard In Paris cafes, where
her reward was few coppers night
just as, long years earlier, the great
Christine Nilsson, Queen of Song"
witched coppers from the frequenters
of Swedish fairs by her nightingale
notes: and Miss Evia Gwyn's voice
was discovered when she was pour.
ing out her soul in blithesome song"
in bakers shop at Pwllheh.
And similar romantic stories are
told of many q musician whose name
today is famous--from Herr Fielder,
the Polish violinist, who was discov-
cred by wealthy Welsh lady In a
Tyrolese cafe-chantant. to Miss Marie
Hall, who but a few years ago, was
reaping scanty harvest of pence by
playing In the streets.
Art, like music, calls her clever chill
dren from the most unlikely places.
There are half a dozen living police.
men who have proved that they can
ply skillful brush, from Mr.. Jones
of Leeds. whose work has been hon
ored by the Royal academy. to p. C.
Rushen OF the city of London force. i
one OF whose clever canvases may be
seen In the museum OF the Guildhall. |
Walter Marshall, whose normal work
is the repairing of electric tramcars.
has picture accepted by the acad.
envy. Nor must we forget Samuel |
Hancock. the London postman, who
some time ago gave an exhibition OF |
his pictures at the Dore gallery; or
Mr.. Bloxali, q Somerset house porter,
whose clever painting has won much
admiration.