PADEREWSKI.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 51, 29 August 1904, Page 5

PADEREWSKI.

Curiously enough, Paredewski's earliest teacher was a fiddler who knew very little about the piano. Later on an old teacher of tho pianoforte paid a monthly visit to the lonely farm where the child genius lived. Under this tuition, at long intervals, ho aud hi* sister learnt to play a number of simple airs and operatic arrangement*. It was some considerable timo before ho received any systematic tuition ; but when ho jvas seven years of ugo ho wrote a series of Polish dances. PnderowAld, however, has all the modesty of true- genius, and it wtw not until he had attained liks majority that he ventured to publish any of his compositions. He comes to New Zealand at the zenith of his famo, with two of the finest specimen* of the Erurd pianos that money and modern skill can produce. While in Australia Padcrewski, after his first performance, suffered from nervous prostration, and, rather tlian appear before an audience at other than his best, he cancelled two dates and sacrificed over £2000. The Wellington recitalß promise to establish a record for New Zealand. People from Wanganui, Palmerston North, Napier, Nelson, and even from Qreymoutli, are coming to hear the great pianwt. Particulars of the recitals are advertised. A large audicnc^galhercd m His Majesty's Theatre last night to hear Mr. J. M. Wilson's Socialistic address on "Foar, Force, and Freedom." Fear, said the lecturer, had been useful in developing man's emotional nature, but neither mere emotional feeling nor cold reason would of themselves bring about the evolution of the complete man. It was necessary to bring together these two influences in order to obtain complete results. Force might be defined as being of two qualities— compulsion and influence. Socialism was not an influence of compulsion, but an appeal to reason and right feeling, and opened up tho way to allow every one absolute equality of opportunity. The Bible-in-scltools movement was spoken of as being, on tho the statement of one of its advocates, an effort to enforce* or impose upon all tho peopl* the ideas of a section. That, said Mr. -Wilson, was not tho kind of influence that was desirable. What should bo sought for was freedom of expression and freedom to accept that which commended itself to the good judgment and right feeling of the people. The attempt or proposal to enforce, such a measure-" on the people would only react upon those advocating it. What Socialism offered was a social environment which Mould set all men, and especially women, free from all economic conditions which prevented their full development. At tho close of his iddress ih. Wilson answered several questions. A promenade concert and dance undor the auspices of the Scottish Lowlands Society was held in tho New Century Hall on Saturday eveuing. The chair was occupied by tho President of the society, Air. J. L. Kolly. A concert programme was gone through previous to the hall being cleared for dancing, and items were given by the following :— Miss6s M'MUla», Rumgay, M'Whannell, Mrs. Cathcart, ami Messrs. M'Whannoll, M'lnnes, C. D. Mackintosh, J. K. Brydono, J. S. Niool, Outtrim, Cathcart, and Master Rankin. The accompaniments were played by Misses M'Millan, Rumgay, Mrs. Cat-h-eart, and Mr. Brydone. The- Literary and Debating Society of the V.M.C.A. held its weekly meeting ou Friday evening last, when Jlr. It. Brown occupied the ciiair. Mr. Bruton read an essay, "Land and Labour," and Mr. Cooper read a pnper on "Elocution." At 3 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, Lady PlunCet will open the St. John Ambulance Nursing Guild Bazaar at tho Drill Shed. On Thursday evoniug the Wellington Dramatic Students will give a musical performance. Potone and Hutt residents ftr© reminded of the lecture which is to be delivered by Mr. H. 1). Bedford, M.H.R., s n the Oddfellows' Hall, Peton©, .his evening. As already announced, Mr. Bedford wul spoaks under the auspices of the International Correspondence Schools of Scrantoiv. Philadelphia, U.S.A. A demonstration of the system of teacning French, Spanish, and German by the aid of phonographs will also be made.

Messrs. G. E, Elson and H. Brittain, chemists, were excused from service op the special jury in the Supreme Court today. Mr. If 1 . J. M*Lean, who had been summoned as a special juror, did not answer to bis natfie, and a fine of JQS was recorded.