The renowned historian, Professor Gustaf Geijer, now wrote to Ole Bull,
urging him to come to Upsala. He cordially consented, and to his first
concert he invited the whole body of students. Each selection played by
the violinist was warmly applauded, and the excitement culminated in the
wildest enthusiasm, when, at the request of Professor Geijer, he
improvised variations on the popular Swedish melody, “Lille Karen.” At
the close of the concert he was met in the vestibule by the students,
who escorted him with songs and cheers to his hotel, where they finally
dispersed after giving a hearty cheer in response to his few words of
thanks. At six o’clock a “Sexa” was given in the large University Hall.
A letter published at this time, said:—
The artist, whose frank, attractive manner won him all hearts, in
responding to the toast proposed in his honor, dwelt especially on
the good–will which in his person had been shown the brother
kingdom and Norse people, and when lifted on the “golden
chair,”[12] proposed from his elevated seat the toast, “Sweden for
ever!” while from the same height Professor Geijer emptied his
glass to “his boys.”
[12] The recipient of this honor is lifted on the shoulders of two men,
two more supporting the legs in front, and two the arms behind, and he
is carried in triumphal procession, the flaming punch bowl held aloft,
while the students, each with a glass in one hand and a lighted taper
in the other, follow in order.
Sentiment after sentiment was given, and the guest of the evening
at last expressed his happiness at the misadventure of his first
visit, which had caused him to know better possibly than he would
otherwise have done, the students of Upsala. After midnight the
company followed him to his door, and he promised another concert
in the University Hall, where he said he had received the greatest
honor of his life. No other artist has been the recipient of such
homage.
His second concert was, if possible, a greater success than the first,
and both Bishop Faxe and Professor Geijer thanked him in behalf of the
Upsala people.
From Upsala Ole Bull returned to Stockholm. There he had very serious
trouble, to which he refers in a letter to his wife, January 26, 1843,
as follows:—
Pratté wrote his dear friend Mr. R., who five years since
published that pamphlet against me in Copenhagen, and told him
that I had spoken ill of the king and royal family, of the royal
orchestra and its leader, of the Swedes in general, and of
Stockholm in particular. He also sent a criticism to be published
in the papers. Mr. R. circulated these rumors, and succeeded in
making many enemies for me everywhere; but the affair in Upsala,
where I showed much moderation, has already disarmed many people,
and the public begin to know how matters stand. To R.’s published
attacks I have made no reply. _Qui s’excuse s’accuse_—and he is
getting to be too well known to lead people astray longer. Pratté
wrote to R. that Henrik Wergeland was the author of the critique.
It is simply absurd to impute to him such meanness. We must hope
that all will turn out for the best.