ECHOES OF THE WEEK

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 752, 4 August 1904, Page 15

ECHOES OF THE WEEK

( By “

‘ Ithuriel.”)

Considering his prices, Paderewski can afford legitimate advertising (says “Civis”). I like to read how his Melbourne audience “just roared at him,” “went mad with excitement,” and as the concert proceeded are madder and madder. If the circulation of this information is duly paid for —and I hope it is— I consider’ it legitimate advertising. But when I am> told that in the fiery rush of his manipulations and prestigitations Paderewski’s fingers got entangled in the keys, and that he left behind him a keyboard covered with blood, I feel that I am being treated as a credulous person, 'rhe thing may have been so, but it can’t be expected that I should believe it. Involuntarily, and perhaps unjustly, I suspicion the arts of Mr Vincent Crummies. As for Paderewski’s prices, we shall pay them no doubt, even as the Melbourne and Sydney people are paying them; but we shall remark upon them. It is noted that when first interviewed, Paderewski said that “he had looked forward with pleasurable anticipation to meeting the homely, warm-hearted people of Australia,” and that Mr Arlington, his agent, followed on with the irrelevant remark that “the prices would be a guinea, ten shillings, and five.” Whereupon an Australian rhymester : I’ve played from Rome to Paraguay,' from. Hull to Indiana, I’ve “obliged ’em” where the teeming Cockneys hive, And now in dear Australia I’ll assault the grand, pianner, Where my prices are a guinea, ten, and five. Yes, since I left old Europe with my concert party, I’ve been longing for the day when I’d arrive, For I pined to see Australia and its people warm and hearty, And my prices are a guinea, ten, and five.

Another verse, not exactly suitable for reading in families, I omit. Paderewski may charge what he pleases, of course ; he is a monopolist, and we have no redress. But at least we can grumble.

Some years ago Sir John Astley was staying with friends near Ascot for the Ascot week. On the first day of the races he entered the Royal enclosure wearing a short round coat instead of the regulation frock-coat. The King (then Prince of Wales) noticed it, and said, I think, Sir John, that you have forgotten your buttons ” (meaning his frock-coat with, buttons at the back). The next day Sir John appeared with two huge buttons sewn on ; but it was the same short, round coat. The .King, who always enjoys a good joke, was immensely pleased. * * *

Two impecunious Scotchmen went into the bar, and having only sixpence between them, ordered one nip of whisky. They were hesitating who would have the first drink when an old acquaintance joined them. Pretending they had just drunk, they handed the newcomer the whisky, requesting him to join them in a drink. He drank, and after a few moments of painful and silent suspense, he said, “ Now, boys, you’ll have one with me.” “ Wasna that weel managed, mon?” said one to his pal afterwards. “ Ay, it was,” said the other solemnly ; “ but it was a dreadful risk.”

The hot drv air treatment has no abler exponents in this colony than Mr and Mrs Edwin Booth, of Dunedin. Under this system (commonly known as Tallerman’s) it is astonishing what degrees of heat can be borne —in some cases as high as 350 degrees and over. Mr and Mrs Booth have effected some remarkable cures by their various methods of massage, electric and hot air treatment, and sufferers who peruse that popular periodical, the “ New Zealand Illustrated Magazine,” will find particulars which should prove of considerable interest. A preacher, who went to a Kentucky parish, where the parishioners bred horses was asked to invite the prayers of the congregation for Lucy Grey. He did so. They prayed three Sundays for Lucy Grey. On the fourth he was told he need not do it any more. “ Why,” said the preacher. “Is she dead ?” “ No,” answered the man ; “ she won the Derby.”