I ENGAGE PATTI--MY MILITARY EXPERIENCE--INFLUENCING
ELECTORS--OPERATIC JOINT STOCK COMPANY--OBJECTIONS TO ENGLISH
MONOPOLY--PATTI IN NEW YORK.
ABOUT this time I set to work for the purpose of engaging Adelina Patti
for my ensuing season, and sent a letter to all the 200 stockholders of
the Academy (who occupied free seats) to know what amount they would
contribute towards the accomplishment of my object. Mr. Pierre Lorillard
wrote to me that in case I should be short he would donate 1,000 dollars
beyond the amount he then contributed should Patti sing at the Academy
the next winter. I replied that I simply required each stockholder to
contribute three dollars a seat for the Patti nights in order to aid me
in carrying out this much-desired engagement.
I regret to say that many of the stockholders sent me no response
whatever. Others destroyed the value of their consent by adding that it
was only to be given if all the other shareholders agreed to do the
same.
Another great difficulty presented itself. I was called upon to deposit
no less than £11,000 at Belmont's bank as caution money on the signing
of the contract. This difficulty I ultimately got over through the
kindness of August Belmont, who guaranteed Mdme. Patti's deposit, I at
the same time assigning to Mr. Belmont the whole of my subscriptions.
The agreement with Mdme. Patti was, therefore, duly signed.
The conclusion of this contract made a great sensation. When it became
known that Mdme. Patti was to return the following season, numbers of
applications were made for subscriptions, although it was six months
before the opening.
About this time the building of the new Metropolitan Opera-house had
been resumed in earnest, in order that it might be completed by the
following spring.
The season shortly afterwards closed with the benefits of the various
singers, I taking the last night, when I gave acts of four different
operas, namely, _Faust_, _Daughter of the Regiment_, _Ruy Blas_, and
_Africaine_, with a new ballet.
Having secured Mdme. Patti for the ensuing season, I endeavoured to
effect an engagement also with Mdme. Gerster, who was then in New York,
having returned from New Orleans, and being now on her way to England. I
only succeeded, however, in securing her services for the following
morning, when an early _matinée_ had to be given prior to the departure
of the Company for Europe in the afternoon, the receipts on that
occasion reaching no less than 9,000 dollars.
This year the Americans paid me the compliment of making me an honorary
member of the 22nd Regiment, with rank corresponding to my own actual
rank in the English volunteers. But beyond attending a couple of balls
and some competition drills in the uniform of the regiment I had never
time enough to profit by the privileges extended to me in so friendly a
manner.
I must not forget among my volunteering reminiscences a rather dramatic
incident which occurred at Her Majesty's Theatre in the year 1860, when
I had just joined the Honorable Artillery Company, and, as yet but
little instructed in the mysteries of drill, was anxious to qualify
myself as soon as possible for admission into line. With this view I
spent every spare moment in practice, sometimes with the Scots Guards at
St. George's Barracks, Trafalgar Square, and often in the evening, when
some operatic representation was actually going on, at Her Majesty's
Theatre, where I utilized the services of the guard of honour in
attendance. The first time I carried out what had struck me as rather a
happy idea I was putting the squad of guardsmen through the bayonet
exercise in the Ballet practice room. I had just given the orders,
"Advance, advance, point!" when the door opened, and Lewis, the
treasurer, appeared, bearing in his hand a bag which held the receipts
of the evening. The word "point!" brought the bayonets of the guardsmen
almost into contact with the breast of the startled official, who,
uttering a shriek and dropping the money-bags, turned and fled.
So scared was he that not until some time afterwards did he quite
recover himself. Had he fancied in his terror that the guard had
suddenly invaded the theatre and prepared an ambuscade in order to rob
the treasurer of the night's receipts? He could give no explanation on
the subject. The sight of the red-coats, the authoritative cry of
"Point!" and the rapid presentation of the bayonets, which all but
pierced him, had the effect of depriving him for a time of his wits. No
other account could poor Lewis give of the matter.
In these degenerate times it is considered enough at one of the Royal
Theatres to station outside during the performance a sergeant's guard;
and Mr. Augustus Harris is modest enough to consider a corporal's guard
sufficient. In former days, however, Her Majesty's Theatre was almost
always during a performance under the care of a captain's guard, the
officers being provided for inside, where the captain, the lieutenant,
and the ensign occupied stalls one, two, and three, specially reserved
for them.
Three other stalls used, at this time, to be reserved for the Captain
of the Body-Guard, the Exon in Waiting, and the Clerk of the Cheque.
To show that my military studies and military labours of the last
twenty-eight years have not been altogether in vain, I may here append a
few letters from various commanding officers and adjutants with whom I
have at various times done duty.
During my English provincial tours I have for many years, thanks to the
kindness of H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief, been enabled to do duty with
a number of different regular regiments, whose officers have done me,
moreover, the honour of making me free of their mess. Sometimes, too,
the Colonel of the regiment has been good enough to place his troops
under my command. I have the pleasantest recollections of having, in the
course of my various provincial tours, worked and dined with the
officers of, I can scarcely say how many regiments. Here are some of the
letters which, on my taking leave, I received from the commanding
officers or adjutants of those corps:--
"Richmond Barracks, Dublin,
"Dec. 14, 1869.
"I certify that Lieutenant-Colonel Mapleson, 6th Tower Hamlets Rifles,
has drilled regularly under my supervision from the 4th of September,
1869, until the 9th of October, 1869. During this period he went
regularly through company drill, and for the last fortnight took command
of the Battalion; he on joining being well up to his work and
thoroughly acquainted with the theory of drill. On leaving I considered
him well qualified to take command of a regiment in the field. He took
the greatest interest in his work, and went in for mastering the minutiæ
of drill with great perseverance.
"C. J. BURNETT,
"Captain and Adjutant 2/15 Regiment."
* * *
"Salford Barracks, Manchester,
"May 6, 1870.
"I hereby testify to the capabilities of Lieutenant-Colonel Mapleson in
drill during the time I had command of the 100th Regiment at Manchester.
He drilled the Battalion several times, and from the report of the
Adjutant I have no hesitation in stating that few officers are superior
to him in the knowledge of battalion manoeuvres.
"H. COOKE,
"Major Commanding 100th Regiment."
* * *
"Gallowgate Barracks, Glasgow,
"May 26, 1870.
"I certify that Colonel J. H. Mapleson, Honble. Artillery Company, was
drilling with the 2nd Battalion 5th Fusiliers, then under my command,
and that he showed considerable proficiency in company and battalion
drill.
"GEORGE CARDEN,
"Major 2nd Battalion 5th Fusiliers."
* * *
"Junior United Service Club,
"November 1, 1871.
"I have much pleasure in testifying as to Colonel Mapleson's thorough
knowledge of the 'Field Exercise Book,' etc., etc., and I feel convinced
from what I saw of him whilst attached to my regiment that he could
handle it under any circumstances.
"J. CLOWES HINDS,
"Major 40th Regiment."
* * *
"Beggars' Bush Barracks, Dublin,
"January 13, 1871.
"Lieutenant-Colonel Mapleson drilled with the 1st Battalion Scots
Fusilier Guards during the autumn of 1870. He was thoroughly up in
company and battalion drill, more especially the latter, and is
perfectly able to drill the Battalion.
"J. W. WALKER,
"Captain and Adjutant
"1st Battalion Scots Fusilier Guards."
* * *
"Glasgow, October 30, 1871.
"Lieutenant-Colonel Mapleson has during the last month frequently
attended the parades of my regiment. He has both taken command of a
company at battalion drill and has also manoeuvred the Battalion
himself, in both situations, showing a thorough knowledge of the
Infantry Field Exercise.
"J. C. RATTRAY,
"Colonel Commanding 90th Light Infantry."
* * *
"Edinburgh Castle,
"May 21, 1873.
"Certified that Colonel James H. Mapleson was attached to the 93rd
Highlanders for drill. I consider him able to drill a squad, company, or
battalion according to the Field Exercise, and fully impart instruction
therein.
"FITZROY MACPHERSON,
"Adjutant 93rd Sutherland Highlanders."
* * *
"Infantry Barracks, Windsor,
"July 7, 1873.
"This is to certify that Colonel Mapleson was attached for drill to the
1st Battalion Scots Guards during the winter months; that he is
thoroughly acquainted with battalion drill, and perfectly competent to
drill the Battalion either singly or in brigade.
"J. W. WALKER,
"Captain and Adjutant 1st Battalion Scots
Guards."
* * *
"Edinburgh Castle, N.B.,
"April 10, 1875.
"I certify that during the stay of Colonel Mapleson at Edinburgh he
attended regularly all parades of the 90th Light Infantry, and
manifested thorough knowledge of company and battalion drill. He has a
good 'word of command,' and nothing could exceed his zeal for military
information, which he is fully in possession of.
"H. W. PALMER,
"Major Commanding 90th Light Infantry."
* * *
"Wellington Barracks,
"January 10, 1874.
"We certify that Lieutenant-Colonel Mapleson, of the Tower Hamlets Rifle
Brigade, is conversant with the drill of a company and of a battalion,
and able to give instruction in the same.
"That he can command a battalion in brigade.
"That he is competent to superintend instruction in aiming and position
drill, and to superintend blank firing and ball practice.
"That he is acquainted with the proper mode of route marching and the
duties of guards.
"Also that he can ride.
"Also that he is acquainted with the mode of posting picquets and their
sentries and the duties of orderly officer.
"L. E. PHILLIPS,
"Colonel 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards.
"E. ANTROBUS,
"Captain and Adjutant 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards.
"Approved
"EDWARD SAXE WEIMAR,
"Major-General Commanding Home District."
Among my experiences of exercise and drill I remember an incident in
connection with a Scottish regiment which, though I cannot very well
narrate it in minute detail, I can say enough to make the whole story
intelligible to those who have worn a kilt. At Edinburgh, in 1873, the
93rd Highlanders were one morning placed under my orders in the Queen's
Park by the Commanding Officer, at that time Colonel Burroughs. The
regiment was on the slope of a hill looking downwards. I gave the word
to fire a volley at a distance of 500 yards, and my military readers are
aware that at a distance beyond 200 yards the position for firing is the
kneeling one.
A great number of persons were looking on. Suddenly an adjutant rode up
to me, and pointing to the crowd exclaimed--
"For heaven's sake give the word, 'As you were!'"
* * * * *
Friends have often asked me how, occupied, absorbed, distracted as I
must have been by the affairs of a great operatic establishment, I could
nevertheless find time, leisure, and even strong inclination for
military pursuits. The simple explanation is that I needed diversion
from my ordinary labours, and that I found this in the active duties of
a volunteer officer. Frequently at the end of a long rehearsal I have,
without finding time to dine, had to put on my uniform, get on
horseback, and hurry to take the command of my regiment in the Regent's
or in Hyde Park. The entire change of occupation was, I am convinced,
the best possible relaxation I could have. I never could have recruited
my energies by simple idleness, which, besides being in my case
intolerable, is apt to lead one into scrapes.
Many years ago, at the beginning of the volunteer movement, at which
time I was still associated with Mr. E. T. Smith, I qualified myself for
the duties of sergeant, and used to receive half-a-guinea a time from
the corps for drilling recruits, who came to us, naturally under the
circumstances, in the rawest condition. My reflection (not, perhaps, a
particularly new one) as to the perils of idleness was forcibly
illustrated when, a short time afterwards, I found myself at
Walton-on-the-Naze doing duty with a battery. Anything more hopelessly
dull than that place when drill was once at an end, can scarcely be
imagined. At last I could stand it no longer, and was obliged to devise
some means of diversion, which if culpable was, I hope, original.
The people of the place told me that, though Walton was dull and
desolate, there were plenty of farmers in the neighbourhood who had
buxom wives and pretty daughters, and that when anything really worth
seeing was going on whole families would flock in, and render the place
quite lively with their presence.
What would attract them? I put the question to myself as an impresario
just beginning his career, but already accustomed to consider such
questions. Our artillery drill was evidently not enough. The great
sensation of the moment with the British public was Blondin and his
tight-rope performances.
Would Blondin fetch them? I asked myself; and, Blondin himself being out
of the question, would public announcements to the effect that Blondin
would appear on a certain day have the desired result?
A day or two afterwards the walls of Walton-on-the-Naze as well as
Colchester were covered with placards setting forth that on a fixed day
Blondin would appear and walk on the tight-rope from the end of the pier
to the top of the hotel in which we were staying.
On the day appointed the sun shone brightly, and long before the time at
which Blondin was expected an army of holiday folks from the surrounding
country came in with as many pretty girls as one could wish to see in
the somewhat similar scene of the "statute fair" in the opera of
_Martha_.
There was no room for the carts in the stables of the place, and they
had to be packed close together on the beach.
The regimental band played on the pier, and the holiday folk had, I am
sure, an agreeable time. Some disappointment may have been caused when
telegrams in _fac-simile_ were posted on the walls with the information
that Blondin from indisposition would be unable to appear. But this was
atoned for by an announcement that in lieu of the tight-rope
performance there would be a grand display of fireworks; and the
pyrotechnics, which the organizers of the hoax paid for, went off most
brilliantly.
At one time, moreover, I used to find solace from my managerial cares in
the pursuit of politics, and, with or without justification, I nourish
the hope that I did something towards securing the return of Mr. W. H.
Smith for Westminster. I was an active member of his committee, both in
connection with the elections which went against him and the subsequent
one which brought him triumphantly in. After his second failure I
remember the late Mr. Lionel Lawson saying to me--
"The thing is impossible; I would not mind giving you a written promise
to pay you £10,000 if ever he gets in."
Lists were at that time in the hands of the registration committees,
showing on which side each elector gave his vote. It seemed useless to
interfere with those who were marked "L," as voting firmly on the
Liberal side. But among the Westminster shop-keepers there were numbers
who were marked "LC," who apparently did not care on which side they
voted, and who generally divided their vote between a Liberal and a
Conservative candidate. With these undecided men there was evidently
something to be done; and I gave them to understand that, having strong
Conservative sympathies, I should feel it my duty to place on my free
list those of the undecided who could bring themselves to support that
side.
As the ballot system had just been introduced when Mr. W. H. Smith was
for the first time returned, I cannot, of course, say to what extent my
advocacy and aid may have benefited him. But I hope, as before observed,
that I did something towards securing his presence in Parliament.
On my arrival in London I was notified that the Royal Italian Opera,
Covent Garden, Limited, had not yet been floated. But this result was
daily expected. I was precluded then from taking further steps towards
opening my London season of 1882, fearing that the Company might be
floated just as I started, in which case I should have to close up
again.
In the meantime, fire insurances, poor rates, and taxes generally kept
on accumulating, and although I notified that I was ready to hand over
possession of the theatre, I still could get no reply. The consequence
was that I had to pay all sorts of arrears whilst an action for
ejectment was brought against me for having been a few days late in
paying the fire insurance. My landlord, in order to keep his superior
lease straight with the Woods and Forests, had also paid it, so that the
Company received the money twice over. Considerable battles hereupon
commenced in the law courts with a view of ejecting me from my theatre,
and it was not till late in the season that the long-expected
notification came that the Company had been floated.
The consideration I was to receive consisted of a payment of £2,500 in
cash and 1,000 fully paid up £10 shares in the new Company. I need
hardly inform the reader that I never saw one of the shares, and could
never get them; whilst all the cash that I received was consumed in
paying off the arrears of ground rent of Her Majesty's Theatre,
insurance, etc., whilst I was waiting for the Company to be floated.
The main object of the Gyes and of the new Royal Italian Opera, Covent
Garden, Limited, was to obtain possession of the new Metropolitan
Opera-house, New York, which was then approaching completion. By the
terms of my agreement with the Academy of Music in New York I was
prohibited from parting with or assigning my interest or any part
thereof in that building during the remaining portion of my tenancy,
which still had two years to run. The agreement in reference to my
services for the next season at the Academy had to be drawn so as to
make it appear that I had not in any way parted with my interest or any
portion thereof; although by another agreement it was stipulated that I
ran no pecuniary risks whatever in connection with the approaching
season, simply receiving my personal expenses, my salary of £1,000 a
year, and my 50 per cent. of the profits, while retaining, as hitherto,
the sole direction of the whole concern.
On starting from Europe, the Royal Italian Opera Company, Limited, gave
me a financial secretary to accompany me; and I was also assisted by
Commander Gye as treasurer. I formed, as I considered, a most brilliant
Company, which included Mdme. Adelina Patti, Mdlle. Savio, a new singer
whom I had heard in Italy, Mdlle. Rossini, Mdlle. Minnie Hauk, Mdme.
Fursch-Madi, Mdlle. Dotti, Mdlle. Valleria, Mdlle. Zagury, Mdme.
Scalchi, Signori Mierzwinski, Ravelli, Campanini, Nicolini, Galassi, Del
Puente, and Durat, a Parisian baritone of some note. I augmented the
strength of the chorus, and when on the point of publishing my
prospectus I found that the general manager in London had added a Mdlle.
Berghi, without my knowledge, who on her appearance later on made
probably the greatest _fiasco_ ever known in America. He also, however,
added his wife, Mdme. Albani, whose brilliant talents added lustre to
the season. We began, therefore, in grand style, and had an enormous
subscription.
The opera troupe arrived in New York early in October, and was met in
the usual way by steamers and bands of music up the bay. These
accompanied us to the wharf, where the party landed amidst great
cheering.
Whilst on board I organized a grand opera concert, in which the whole of
the principal singers and chorus took part, under the direction of
Arditi, in aid of the Liverpool Sailors' Orphanage. The saloon was
elegantly decorated for the occasion, and, without exception, every
passenger aided the scheme by attendance and contributions. I directed
the musical arrangements, whilst the prince of American orators, the
Hon. Daniel Dogherty, presided. Over £50 was realized for the charity.
It was now announced by the Royal Italian Opera Company, Limited, that
on the completion of the new Metropolitan Opera-house, which Gye felt so
sure of obtaining, the Academy would be closed, so that a monopoly of
Italian Opera would thus be established in New York.
The papers took the idea up warmly, but in a hostile spirit; the
_Herald_ declaring in a leading article that if the Royal Italian Opera,
Covent Garden, Limited, of London, ever expected to monopolize opera in
America it was very much mistaken. The people in America, it stated,
would heartily encourage them in all efforts to establish and maintain a
first-class Opera in New York; but when they talked of repeating the
London proceeding by closing up either one of the existing Opera-houses
for the purpose of monopolizing the business, they might as well
understand that they were proposing a scheme which the American public
would readily defeat. It was contended that New York was large enough
for two Italian Opera-houses, and, if the performances in both were
meritorious, both would be well supported.
Of course all the attention of the public was concentrated on the
expected arrival of Patti, which in due course took place. There was the
usual crowd on the wharf all night awaiting the ship's arrival. I had
left orders for a telegram to be sent to me as soon as the vessel passed
Fire Island in order that I might be in time to dress and go down to one
of the specially chartered steamers with Signor Franchi, Patti's agent,
Commander Herbert Gye, and a party of artists and reporters, accompanied
by military bands, fireworks, etc. The _Servia_ was out in the middle of
the stream, and we steamed up alongside, when we saw Patti, who had been
up since half-past four in the morning, in feverish anxiety to reach
_terra firma_.
Our band struck up "God Save the Queen" and everyone bared his head; the
Englishmen partly from traditional reverence, but most of those present
from admiration of the lyric queen who had come for another reign to the
delighted people of New York. Handshaking and greetings followed.
After we had got the Patti through the Custom House she was placed in a
carriage and taken to the Windsor Hotel, the room being piled up with
telegrams, cards, and bouquets. There was also a large set piece with
the word "Welcome!" embroidered on it in roses. In the evening there was
a midnight serenade in front of the Windsor Hotel, and ultimately _la
Diva_ had to appear at the window, when orchestra and chorus, who were
outside, performed the grand prayer from _I Lombardi_. After three
hearty cheers for Adelina Patti people went home, and she was left in
peace.
Mdme. Patti made her _début_ a few days afterwards as "Lucia di
Lammermoor," followed by the _Traviata_, etc. To describe in detail her
success would be to repeat an oft-told tale.
Amongst the numberless inquiries at the box-office several were made as
to how long Mdme. Patti remained on the stage in each of the different
operas; and the newspapers busied themselves as to the number of notes
she sang in each particular work; larger demands for seats being made on
those evenings when she sang more notes. _La Traviata_ generally carried
off the palm, perhaps because one journal had calculated the interest of
the money accruing on her diamonds, whilst she was singing in that work.
A party of amateurs would buy a ticket between them, each one taking 20
minutes of the ticket and returning with the pass-out check to the next.
Lots were drawn to decide who was to go in first; and in the event of
anyone overstaying his 20 minutes he had to pay for the whole ticket;
correctness of time being the essence of the arrangement.