THE CENTENARY HONOURS.
(1905.)
Upon St Patrick's Day, 1905, Manuel Garcia entered on the "second
century of his immortality," as Professor Fränkel felicitously put it.
That 17th of March has become red-lettered in the annals of music by
reason of its international character, and the fact that the two
professions of music and medicine joined hands with the royalty of three
countries, England, Spain, and Germany, in paying honour to whom honour
was due.
Sir George Cornewall Lewis was a firm disbeliever in centenarians, but
his scepticism must have suffered a severe shock could he have been
present at the celebrations. He would then have seen not merely a man
whose years beyond all question numbered a century, but one who at that
great age showed no sign of senility, and could still take an active
part in a series of trying ceremonies, and bear with dignity, if not
altogether without fatigue, a load of honours and congratulations, a
flood of speeches like the rushing of great waters, and repeated
thunderstorms of applause that would have overwhelmed many men in the
full vigour of life. Manuel Garcia went through the trying ordeal
without apparently feeling any ill effect, and seemed thoroughly to
enjoy the whole thing. It was difficult indeed to believe that the
venerable figure on the right of the chairman at the banquet, whom one
saw light a cigarette and smoke it with relish in defiance of the
Anti-Tobacco League, was born seven months before the battle of
Trafalgar!
It was passing strange, as one saw him giving the lie in every point to
Shakespeare's picture of extreme age, to think that he might not only
have "seen Shelley plain," but have been one of the students who
modelled their collars and their scowls on those of Byron; that he had
finished his education before Pasteur was born, and had come to man's
estate before Lister saw the light; that he had made his name known on
two continents while Scott and Goethe were still alive, and Darwin was
at school; and that he had made the discovery that will make his name
immortal while many of those whose names are now illustrious were yet
unborn. How quick were his senses and how alert his intelligence was
shown in many ways, trifling, perhaps, but significant, in the course of
what must have been the most trying day of his long life. His
extraordinary vitality was put to a very severe test in the functions
held in honour of the occasion, but he passed through them with the most
wonderful fortitude and genial courtliness.
When the King heard of the approaching birthday, he made inquiries as to
whether the aged maestro could stand the strain of personal investiture
of the honour which his Majesty had already decided to bestow. The
answer came back that he was quite ready, and anxious to show his
gratitude for this royal compliment by going to the palace.
An interview was accordingly arranged, and Señor Garcia, having risen
between nine and ten o'clock on the morning of that day of days, was
driven to Buckingham Palace, where he was ushered without delay into the
King's presence. His Majesty entered into conversation with the old
musician, showing his acquaintance with his long record of fame, and,
ever interested in aged people, questioned him as to his health with the
most sympathetic solicitude, being absolutely amazed at the vitality
displayed. The King expressed to the maestro his congratulations and his
recognition of all that he had done for medicine and music, and finally
invested him with the insignia of a Commander of the Royal Victorian
Order, at the same time signifying a wish to be personally represented
at the banquet which was to take place in the evening. Needless to say
that this characteristic kind-heartedness of King Edward, shown towards
the hero of the day, acted as a splendid tonic to the Centenary
celebrations.
From the Palace Señor Garcia drove to the rooms of the Royal Medical and
Chirurgical Society in Hanover Square, where by noon the fine saloon was
thronged by his old pupils and various deputations, representative of
many departments of learning and research.
The reception-room had been decorated for the occasion with palms and
foliage plants. In the centre of a carpeted dais at one end of the
apartment had been placed a high-backed chair, upholstered in crimson,
and on the extreme left was the still veiled portrait of the
centenarian, which had been painted by Sargent. In front of the seat
there were some beautiful floral tributes. The largest bore on its
ribbons the inscription, "À leur cher et venéré Professeur, Manuel
Garcia--Salvatore et Mathilde Marchesi, Paris, Mars 17, 1905." Another
came from Blanche Marchesi, and was addressed "To the Christopher
Columbus of the Larynx"; while yet another had been sent by the Glasgow
Society of Physicians.
Punctually at twelve o'clock, amid volleys of applause, Manuel Garcia,
looking amazingly bright and hale, entered the room with short, quick
steps, wearing the insignia of the Royal Victorian Order, conferred an
hour before, and walked unaided to the dais. This he mounted with
agility, and took his seat upon the crimson throne, a magnificent basket
of flowers on either side. There he sat for an hour, upright and
smiling, in full view of the spectators, during the proceedings which
ensued.
It fell naturally to the lot of Sir Felix Semon, both as Physician
Extraordinary to the King and chairman of the Garcia Committee, to
convey the intelligence of the earlier ceremony which had taken place
that morning.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Sir Felix said, "the auspicious proceedings
of to-day's memorable occasion could not have been more joyously
opened than they have just been. His Majesty the King, with the
kindness of heart which endears him to us all, has just been
pleased to receive Señor Garcia at Buckingham Palace, in order to
express to him his congratulations and his recognition of all that
Señor Garcia has done for medicine and music. At the same time the
King has conferred upon him the honorary Commandership of the Royal
Victorian Order. His Majesty, at the conclusion of the interview,
expressed a wish to be personally represented at the banquet
to-night, and said that he would desire his Lord-in-Waiting, Lord
Suffield, to attend as his representative. I feel quite sure that
this whole assembly has already shown by its applause that it
recognises in this act a new token of the King's invariable
kindness and his appreciation of all that is good and high."
Next came the Spanish Chargé d'Affaires, the Marquis de Villalobar, who
delivered a special message of congratulation from King Alfonso.
"I have been honoured by his Majesty the King, Don Alphonse XIII.,
with his august representation to congratulate you on the day of
your centenary, and in the presence of the learned men who have
assembled in this great metropolis for its celebration. In obeying
the King's command, in which his Government and the Spanish people
join, I honour myself, investing you, in the name of his Majesty
and your motherland, with the Royal Order of Alphonse XII., as a
high reward to your merits and the services rendered to mankind
through your science and your labour. I feel it is also my duty to
avail myself of this opportunity in order to make public the
sentiments of my beloved Sovereign and of his Government, conveying
sincere thanks, first to his Majesty King Edward VII., who I have
just learned has most graciously conferred upon our compatriot a
high distinction of this noble and hospitable country, and also to
all the representatives of England and those of the learned
societies here assembled to commemorate this centenary. Hearty
gratefulness on behalf of Spain to all who have come and are
represented here to-day to honour Don Manuel Garcia as a glory to
modern science."
The Marquis de Villalobar then invested Señor Garcia with the Order,
amid loud cheers. After this glowing tribute came Professor Fränkel, who
said that they were assembled to honour one who had devoted his best
days to the teaching of singing,--had not been content with attempting
to discover the secrets of voice-culture by sound alone, but had
proceeded in a thoroughly scientific way. Through his genius he had
thrown light on the hitherto dark places of the larynx and the source of
the living human voice. He had thereby laid the sure foundations of the
physiology of the voice.
In recognition of his merits the German Emperor had conferred on him the
Great Gold Medal for Science. The Minister for Public Instruction had
requested him (Dr Fränkel) to present that rarely awarded distinction to
Señor Garcia that day when he completed the first century of his
immortality. He did so with the greatest pleasure, as one who owed a
very great debt of gratitude to the method of laryngoscopy invented by
their honoured friend.
An address from the Royal Society was then presented by Sir Archibald
Geikie (principal secretary), Professor Francis Darwin (foreign
secretary), and Professor Halliburton, F.R.S. The address, which was
read by Professor Halliburton, was as follows:--
The Royal Society of London join very cordially in congratulating
Manuel Garcia on the celebration of his 100th birthday.
The President and Council recall with much pleasure the
circumstance that the Royal Society afforded in their 'Proceedings'
the medium for publishing to the scientific world the memorable
paper in which Señor Garcia laid the foundation of the experimental
study of voice-production, and at the same time, through the
laryngoscope, provided the starting-point for a new department of
practical medical science.
The Royal Society trust that Señor Garcia may still continue for
years to come to enjoy in good health the esteem which his
scientific achievement and his high personal character have brought
him.
Signed and sealed on behalf of the Royal Society for Promoting
Natural Knowledge,
WILLIAM HUGGINS, _President_.
Sir Archibald Geikie (as a corresponding member of the Prussian Academy
of Sciences) read the following telegram from that Academy:--
To the first investigator of the human voice by a new method which
for all time has bestowed a signal service on art, on science, and
on suffering humanity, the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences sends
on his 100th birthday its most respectful congratulations.
WALDEYER, _Secretary_.
An address was next read from the University of Königsberg, which in
1862 had conferred on Señor Garcia the honorary degree of Doctor of
Medicine. A hope was expressed that he would live to receive the fresh
diploma which it is the custom to confer on doctors of fifty years'
standing.
The next address was from the Victoria University of Manchester,
presented by Professor Stirling, F.R.S., Dr Milligan, and Dr S. Moritz,
followed by one from the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg.
The address from his old pupils was read by Mr Ballin. In offering their
sincere congratulations they said: "The services you have rendered to
the art of singing are very great, and the large number of your pupils
who have become famous is incontestable proof of your genius." Madame
Blanche Marchesi spoke in the name of her parents, who were unavoidably
absent, expressing their gratitude for everything he had done for them.
Their method and their success were due to Señor Garcia, who had laid
the basis of their artistic career.
Mr Otto Goldschmidt, the husband of Jenny Lind, said that his late wife,
to the end of her days, continued to have respect, regard, and
veneration for Señor Garcia, who helped her to take the position in the
musical world which she attained; and he was very happy indeed to be
able to make that statement, and to congratulate the old master on what
he had done for the great art of singing.
An address from the Royal Academy of Music was followed by one from the
Royal College of Music.
Addresses and messages from Laryngological societies and associations
were then read, the following being among the bodies represented: The
American Laryngological Association; the Belgian Society of
Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (Dr Delsaux, Dr Goris, Dr Broeckkaert); the Berlin
Laryngological Society (Dr Landgraf, Professor Kuttner, Professor
Gluck); the British Laryngo-Oto-Rhinological Association (Mr Chichele
Nourse, Dr Percy Jakins, Mr Stuart-Low, Mr Dennis Vinrace, Dr Andrew
Wyld); the Danish Laryngological Society; the French Laryngo-Rhino-Otological
Society (Dr Moure, Dr Lermoyez, Dr Toxier, Dr Molinié); the Italian
Laryngo-Rhino-Otological Society and Neapolitan School of Laryngology
(Sir Felix Semon, hon. member, Professor Poli); the London
Laryngological Society (Mr Charters Symonds, Mr de Santi, Dr Davis, and
Mr H. B. Robinson); the Netherlands Laryngo-Oto-Rhinological Society (Dr
Moll, Dr Burger, Dr Kan, Dr Zaalberg); the New York Academy of Medicine,
Section of Laryngology (Dr Harman Smith); the Paris Laryngological
Society (Dr C. J. Koenig, Dr Mahu); the Rhenish-Westphalian
Laryngological Society (Dr Hirschland); the St Petersburg Laryngological
Society; the South-German Laryngological Society (Dr Avelis); the
Spanish Laryngo-Oto-Rhinological Society and Academy of Medicine and
Surgery (Dr Botella, Dr Tapia); the Vienna Laryngological Society
(Professor Chiari); the Warsaw Laryngological Society; the West-German
Laryngological Society (Dr Fackeldey, Dr Lieven); and the Hungarian
Laryngological Society. Congratulatory telegrams were received from the
Laryngological Societies of Sweden, Moscow, and Cracow; from the
Amsterdam Medical Society; from the Medical Society of Japan; from
Professor Moritz Schmidt, as President of the New German Laryngological
Society; from Dr Birkett of Montreal, in the name of the students of
M'Gill University; from Dr French, of Brooklyn, and hundreds of others.
The next speech brought a touching note to the scene, for in it Dr
Botella, of Madrid, as the official delegate of the Spanish Government
and of the Spanish Laryngological Society, addressed the maestro in his
mother-tongue. A new light came into the centenarian's eyes, and he bent
forward in an attitude of the closest attention, as if he feared to lose
a single note of the beloved speech, whose sound on such an occasion
must have carried him back over that great gulf of years to the far-off
days of his childhood.
Dr Botella said that before the discovery of the laryngoscope the sense
of touch was the only means of knowing of the existence of tumorous
growths in the larynx. The invention of the laryngoscope had opened
immense horizons to science, had put within its range many diseases the
existence of which could never have been suspected, had made possible
their treatment, and had saved from suffering and death numberless
lives. The Spanish Government sent Señor Garcia its enthusiastic
congratulations, and the Spanish Laryngological Society begged his
acceptance of the diploma of "President of Honour." He brought a kind
greeting from Spain to England, from Señor Garcia's native land to his
adopted one. If the former gave him birth, the latter gave him shelter,
and on that occasion both felt equally proud to have him as a son.
The following was the address of the Laryngological Society of London:--
DEAR AND REVERED MASTER,--Amongst the many friends assembled to-day
to lay a tribute of gratitude and admiration at your feet, and a
greater number far away who are celebrating to-day's unique event
in spirit, there can be none whose congratulations are more sincere
or more cordial than those of the members of the Laryngological
Society of London. We yield to none in our gratitude for your
precious invention, the Laryngoscope, which will keep your memory
green through all ages. We, with the rest of mankind, admire in you
the distinguished physiologist, the great musician, the teacher of
so many celebrated singers: and we, amongst whom you have dwelt for
so many years, have in addition had the great privilege of seeing
you, our oldest honorary member, with us on many occasions, and
have learned to appreciate in you the true friend, the courteous
gentleman, the charming speaker. You have been permitted to retain
all your brilliant faculties to patriarchal age, and to-day to
celebrate your 100th birthday in undiminished vigour of mind and
body. That this happy state may continue for many years to come,
and that we may often have the pleasure and privilege of seeing the
venerable father of laryngoscope amongst us, is the sincere wish of
your devoted friends, the members of the Laryngological Society of
London.
CHARTERS J. SYMONDS (_President_).
PHILIP R. W. DE SANTI (_Secretary_).
Sir F. Semon said there was a large number of telegrams of
congratulation, and that in the midst of the great strife which was
going on between two great nations, neither of them had forgotten a
great benefactor. In addition to the congratulations from St Petersburg
and Warsaw, already announced, telegrams had been received from the
Moscow Laryngological Society and from the Medical Society of Japan.
Several of the foreign societies, including the Netherlands and the
Vienna societies, announced that they had conferred their honorary
membership upon Señor Garcia.
The programme was brought to a conclusion by the presentation to Señor
Garcia of his portrait, painted by Mr Sargent, R.A., and subscribed for
by international contributions of the friends and admirers of the
centenarian. The members of the Garcia Centenary Celebration Committee
came forward to make the presentation. They were Sir F. Semon
(chairman); Mr E. Furniss Potter, M.D., and Mr P. de Santi, F.R.C.S.
(hon. secretaries); Mr E. Cresswell Baber, M.D., Mr J. Barry Ball, M.D.,
Mr J. S. Ballin, Mr A. Bowlby, F.R.C.S., Mr H. T. Butlin, F.R.C.S., Mr
H. J. Davis, M.B., Mr J. Donelan, M.B., Mr J. Walker Downie, M.B., Mr F.
de Havilland Hall, M.D., Mr W. Hill, M.D., Mr Percy Kidd, M.D., Mr L. A.
Lawrence, F.R.C.S., Mr P. M'Bride, M.D., Mr W. Milligan, M.D., Mr L. H.
Pegler, M.D., Mr W. Permewan, M.D., Mr H. B. Robinson, F.R.C.S., Mr C.
J. Symonds, F.R.C.S., Mr St Clair Thomson, M.D., and Mr F. Willcocks,
M.D. Mr W. R. H. Stewart, F.R.C.S. (Ed.), the hon. treasurer, was
prevented by illness from attending.
Sir F. Semon made the presentation, and announced that the album
containing the names of the subscribers would be handed to Señor Garcia
subsequently. About twenty laryngological societies and about 800
persons had united to offer that testimonial.
The portrait was then unveiled amid loud cheers, which were renewed when
the aged maestro rose to return thanks. His voice trembled with emotion,
for he had been deeply touched by all this loyal recognition and
affection. His opening words were addressed to the Spanish Chargé
d'Affaires.
"Sir, will you tell my king for me how deeply grateful I am to him
for thus remembering that in this country, which has sheltered me
so long, he has a loyal and a loving subject? Will you express,
what I am not able to say in fitting words, my overwhelming sense
of this great honour, and convey to him my reverent--if a subject
may be so bold--my loving thanks. You, sir [addressing Professor
Fränkel], will undertake of your great courtesy to make known to
his Majesty the German Emperor my deep sense of the honour he has
conferred on a stranger, and you will ask him to accept my grateful
thanks. You, sir [Sir A. Geikie], who represent the illustrious
English society that first gave me a hearing [the Royal Society];
you [Professor Stirling], by whom the learning of England's second
capital [the Manchester University] sends me greeting." At this
point Señor Garcia handed the MS. of his reply to Sir Felix Semon,
requesting him to finish reading it. "You who have come from
distant Königsberg to recall the grateful memory of those who gave
the unknown man a place among them. You, who represent the
world-renowned Academy of Sciences of Berlin, among the members of
which are some I count dear friends. And you, dear sir, who bring
me the greeting of a city of youth whose very name seems to set
joy-bells ringing; you, sir, from Heidelberg, how shall I thank you
all, if your goodwill should fail to interpret my poor faltering
words? But that goodwill is my most trusty staff. You, doctors,
laryngologists, dear friends, to whom the little instrument to
which such kind allusion has been made owes all its power for good.
You, representatives of the great music schools of London, in one
of which I passed so many years, working happily beside brother
musicians, and to the other of which I have so often come to mark
with pride our own great art of music prospering beyond belief
under the care of a beloved chief and genial staff. You, too, my
pupils, among whom it rejoices me so keenly to welcome faces missed
for many years and found again to-day, while others have been with
me, near and dear. To you all, thanks, from an old heart that did
not know what youth it still possessed till it expanded to embrace
you all. This portrait, from the hand of this great master, which
grew in happy hours too few for me since they passed so rapidly in
his companionship, shall be my pride and joy in the days to come."
When Sir Felix hesitated at this point because he saw that he was coming
to a passage about himself, Señor Garcia at once cried, "Yes, yes! read
that!" Then, as the Chairman of the Committee looked somewhat
embarrassed, the centenarian said with great vivacity, "Well, give it to
me; I will read it." With these words he took over the paper once again
and read the concluding words of the speech.
"If you will bear with me a moment longer, I should like to say one
little inadequate word of thanks to him from whose initiative this
wonderful demonstration has sprung,--my friend Sir Felix Semon,
with whose name link that of an institution dear to me beyond all
others,--the Laryngological Society of London, and its chosen
representative, that social Atlas, the Garcia Committee."
This brought the first part of the programme to a close, and the
centenarian returned to his home, which was inundated with telegrams and
baskets of flowers. Here he gave himself up to rest and preparation for
that still more trying ordeal which was still to come.
That same evening Señor Garcia set out for the Hotel Cecil, where a
complimentary birthday banquet had been arranged by the committee.
When the carriage had driven into the courtyard of the hotel he alighted
without assistance, entered the outer hall, and walked nimbly down two
or three flights of stairs to the cloak-room.
There was a very large attendance, the Grand Hall being filled with
eminent musicians and scientists anxious to do honour to the
distinguished guest.
[Illustration: OPENING BARS OF AN ARIA WRITTEN OUT BY MANUEL GARCIA WHEN
IN HIS HUNDREDTH YEAR, GIVING HIS ELABORATIONS OF THE ORIGINAL
MELODY.]
Mr Charters J. Symonds was in the chair.
In proposing the first toast, "The King," he said that his Majesty was
always the foremost in every way in the recognition of merit, and that
day he had anticipated their function, and had received Señor Garcia
personally, conferring upon him a great honour--the Commandership of the
Royal Victorian Order. His Majesty, in honour of Señor Garcia, had also
sent Lord Suffield there as his representative.
The toast having been loyally honoured, the chairman said that two other
European sovereigns had combined with our own King to confer honour on
their guest. His Majesty the King of Spain had sent Señor Garcia the
Grand Cross of the Order of Alfonso XII., and also a message which he
would call on the Spanish Chargé d'Affaires to read.
The Marquis de Villalobar said it gave him great pleasure to convey to
his illustrious compatriot the message which his Majesty, the King of
Spain, had sent to him just now through his Minister of Foreign Affairs.
It was as follows: "By command of his Majesty the King, congratulate
personally Señor Garcia on the day of the celebration of his 100th
birthday. Convey his royal best wishes to the grand old Spaniard who, by
his invention and works, has glorified and exalted the name of Spain."
The chairman, resuming, said he had heard a whisper that the honour
conferred by the King of Spain carried with it the title of His
Excellency, so that in future they might regard their dear old friend
as His Excellency, Señor Garcia. Again, his Majesty the German Emperor,
mindful of the benefit which he himself not long since obtained from the
knowledge of the instrument invented by Señor Garcia, had conferred upon
him a great distinction. It had been brought to London by the most
distinguished laryngologist in Germany, Professor Fränkel. It was the
medal which was called the Great Gold Medal for Science. They would
appreciate its importance when he said that previously it had only been
conferred upon Professor Virchow, Professor Koch, Ehrlich, and Mommsen.
These three Sovereigns had that day combined to recognise in Señor
Garcia the ability which had influenced science and art in all
countries. He gave them the toast of the King of Spain, and then of the
German Emperor.
The toasts having been honoured, Sir Felix Semon proposed the health of
the hero of the evening in a long and eloquent speech.
The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and the company sang, "For he's a
jolly good fellow."
Then, in an atmosphere of electrical excitement, Manuel Garcia stood up,
and amid a thrilling silence made his response.
It was almost the only occasion in the world's history that a man of
world-wide fame had ever attained his 100th anniversary. It was,
moreover, the first time that any centenarian, whether illustrious or
"born to blush unseen," had been in such full possession of his
faculties and bodily strength as to make his own reply to the hundreds
assembled to do honour to his birthday. He was almost overcome by
emotion in making his response in English.
"Sir Felix Semon, Ladies and Gentlemen,--Words, it is said, are
given us to conceal our thoughts. They will admirably fulfil that
purpose if you take mine as a full and complete expression of my
feelings on this extraordinary occasion. But words, whatever use we
make of them, are not mere masks. They are living things, intensely
living things to some--to those of us who hold the magic ring that
makes them slaves. They are as mighty friends, friends such as you
to me, who from the ocean depths of your indulgence fling back to
me my own poor and trivial deeds, transfigured into something 'rich
and strange.'"
At this point Señor Garcia, who had become almost inaudible, and who was
evidently somewhat exhausted by fatigue and excitement, handed the MS.
of his speech to the chairman, who read the remainder. It ran as
follows:--
"There are so many of you to be greeted,--old friends out of the
past, old pupils, comrades, children! Ah, children! Sixteen
societies of laryngologists, and mostly come of age, calling me
'Father'! They will have it so, and I am pretty proud of the title,
I can tell you. Well, do you think one solitary man could find fit
word to answer all these voices? But you can do it for me. There is
an old story some of you may remember, which, when I read it,
changed the aspect of things for me by its very name, for that was
a stroke of genius: 'Put yourself in his place.' What a different
world it would be if we all did that! Well, you try now. Try hard.
Think yourself each one hundred years old to-day. Not the ladies. I
will not ask them. Though they may come to that they will never
look it, and they will never know it, and no one will ever believe
it. But you men can try. Fancy you each lived one hundred years and
woke to-day to find yourself surrounded by kindly clamorous voices,
'troops of friends'! What would you say? I think you would say
nought. Only the infinite nought which circles all things could
give an adequate answer to you all. I shall say nought to this
great master of the brush, Mr Sargent, who with his creative
touches in a moment brought life from void. It is a strange
experience to see one's very self spring out at one from nothing in
a flash. I shall say nought to this rash friend of mine, Sir Felix
Semon, who into the midst of a busy life crammed all the work and
worry of the labour of love that has brought you here to-day.
Nought, nought to the friends so very near my heart, the
Laryngological Society of London, and the chosen band whose
terrible labours fill me with remorse whenever I think of them, the
Members of the Garcia Committee. I shall say nought, nought, nought
to all of you, except just this, 'God bless you every one!'"
The chairman next proposed "Our Foreign Guests," for whom Herr Emanuel
Stockhausen (son of one of his most distinguished pupils), Dr Puttner,
Dr Harman Smith, Dr Goris, Dr Lermoyez, Dr Poli, Dr Botella, Dr Burger,
and Professor Chiari responded. During the dinner a number of
congratulatory telegrams were received. Among them was one from the
Prime Minister.
Between the speeches of foreign delegates, which were delivered in
various tongues, Mme. Blanche Marchesi, Mme. Ada Crossley, Mr Ben
Davies, and Mr Arthur Oswald sang, and then that wonderful evening came
to an end.