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_A Singing Paganini_.--In the year 1760, La Paganini, an admirable singer
and actress, came to London from Berlin. Her reputation was so great, that
when she had her benefit at the Opera, such a crowd assembled as was never
before witnessed on a like occasion, not one third of the company that
presented themselves at the Opera House doors being able to obtain
admission. Caps were lost, and gowns torn to pieces, without number or
mercy, in the struggle to get in. Ladies in full dress, who had sent away
their servants and carriages were obliged to appear in the streets, and
walk home in great numbers without caps or attendants. Luckily the weather
was fine, and did not add to their distress by rain or wind, though their
confusion was greatly augmented by its being broad daylight, and the
streets full of spectators, who (says her biographer) could neither
refrain from looking nor laughing at such splendid and uncommon
street-walkers.