“The following story,” says Dr. Burney, “was frequently told, and
believed at Madrid, during the first years of Farinelli’s residence
in Spain. This singer, having ordered a superb suit of clothes for a
_gala_ at court, when the taylor brought it home, he asked him for his
bill. “I have made no bill, Sir,” says the taylor, “nor ever shall
make one. Instead of money,” continues he, “I have a favour to beg. I
know that what I want is inestimable, and only fit for monarchs; but,
since I have had the honour to work for a person, of whom every one
speaks with rapture, all the payment I shall ever require, will be
a song.” Farinelli tried in vain, to prevail on the taylor to take
his money. At length, after a long debate, giving way to the humble
entreaties of the trembling tradesman, and flattered, perhaps, more
by the singularity of the adventure, than by all the applause he had
hitherto received, he took him into his music room, and sung to him
some of his most brilliant airs, taking pleasure in the astonishment of
his ravished hearer; and, the more he seemed surprised and affected,
the more Farinelli exerted himself, in every species of excellence.
When he had done, the taylor, overcome with ecstacy, thanked him in
the most rapturous and grateful manner, and prepared to retire. “No,”
says Farinelli, “I am a little proud; and, it is, perhaps, from that
circumstance, that I have acquired some small degree of superiority
over other singers; I have given way to your weakness, it is but fair,
that, in your turn, you should indulge me in mine;” and, taking out his
purse, he insisted on his receiving a sum, amounting to nearly double
the worth of the suit of clothes.”