It was not alone the Norse Theatre to which Ole Bull gave
thousands of dollars, but every public enterprise of importance
was aided liberally by him. He assisted Tidemand and Gude at this
time in a series of entertainments given for the benefit of young
artists kept at home by the troubles abroad.
The theatre was too great an undertaking for one man to carry. Ole Bull
not only lost much money, but he became involved in controversies and
lawsuits with the authorities. It will be readily understood that the
Norse national feeling he worked for and inspired was unpopular with
those who represented the established order of things, and that every
possible advantage was seized upon to annoy and harass him. He, as
usual, left points open to his adversaries.
On the opening of the theatre the police officials thought that not only
they themselves but their assistants (a term which they would have
interpreted broadly enough to include their families) should have had
tickets presented to them; and they threatened to take measures for
closing the theatre if their claims were not conceded. Ole Bull then
asked and received their demands in writing. They claimed three
permanent, reserved seats for the master, adjutant, and attorney of the
police, and more when desired for their assistants; the seats to have a
view of stage and audience, and to be chosen before the sale was open to
the public. This stupid demand the violinist met with ridicule. He
reserved the seats asked for, but hung above them a placard with the
inscription in large black letters, “Seats for the Police,” and over
this a large green lantern to light the placard. For this offense the
officials called him to answer in court; and the case being decided
against him he carried it up to the Supreme Court. The distinguished
advocate to the crown, Mr. Duncker, an intimate friend of Ole Bull,
asked the privilege of acting as his counsel. The appeal was argued in
Christiania. Mr. Duncker took the ground that the granting of the seats
was a courtesy and not a legal obligation. He indulged in much sarcasm
and ridicule at the expense of the complaining officials, and concluded
thus: “Who does not feel that in Ole Bull’s person art and genius have
been offered a grievous insult for which the police of Bergen will never
be able to atone? But the satisfaction which the court can give will, I
am confident, be granted to Ole Bull.” The case was decided in his
favor, but not a newspaper in the kingdom dared report the defeat of a
government official; and the able defense of Mr. Duncker was printed in
Copenhagen by the _North and South_, which said: “We gladly offer our
columns to print Mr. Duncker’s defense for circulation in Norway, that
such a man as Ole Bull may receive the satisfaction due him.”
The police officials were naturally irritated at the result of this
suit, and watched for opportunities of annoying him. On one occasion he
was called upon, under an obsolete municipal regulation, to answer the
charge of smoking a cigar in the street in Bergen, as the law allowed
only covered pipes to be smoked on the streets. The judge and officers
of the court being most of them old friends or former school comrades,
the trial was very amusing. The violinist entered the court room, and
having in the most courteous and natural manner offered the judge and
officers each a cigar, which of course each declined, he lighted his
own, remarking that he had not had time at so early an hour to enjoy his
regular morning smoke. He was soon acquitted, as it was found that the
indictment against him was for smoking “in the square,” whereas the
regulation forbade it only on the _streets_.
On another occasion, when he was called to answer a charge of the same
trivial character, he happened to be summoned to appear in court on the
morning of his birthday, the 5th of February, an occasion for visits of
congratulation in Norway. A great crowd of his friends, not finding him
at home and learning where he was, assembled outside the court–house.
Among the number were many peasants who had come in from the country to
express their good wishes. During the forenoon the thousands in the
streets became so clamorous for his appearance, to tell them what
treatment he was receiving, that the officials were much disturbed.
Although requested by the judge to speak to the crowd, the artist
declined to do so; but at last the excitement became so intense that at
the urgent entreaty of this official he took his arm and walked home to
dinner with him, to satisfy and quiet the people.
The children even were interested in these contests, and would accompany
Ole Bull to and from the theatre by hundreds, while they took every
occasion to torment his annoyers. The affection always shown him by the
children of Bergen touched him more than any demonstration on the part
of their elders.