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ST. JAMES'S HALL BALLAD CONCERTS 221
into the Garden, Maud ' in the first part of the programme; the music had been arranged by a well-known artist who did not know this particular singer, but the host of the party had requested he should have an appearance on account of a friend's recommendation. The singer arrived late, and it was evident that he had been dining; however, I commenced the symphony, but before it was finished the singer began in a different key. I followed him till we got to the end of the first verse ; then he started off ' Queen rose ' in an entirely new key, so again I had to follow him ; and we had even a third digression before we came to a miserable termination. He was then politely informed that his second song would not be required. Corney Grain was seated near the piano awaiting his number in the concert, and he and everyone was amazed at the exhibition."
One of the oldest recollections in the storehouse of Bird's memory is that of a private concert at a house in Mayfair, on a certain Monday evening after a "Pop." Among the 4'turns" were Joachim and Chirgwin the White-eyed Kaffir. Some of the guests wanted the latter to do a special hornpipe, and Bird was asked to accompany him on the piano. To accompany Joachim and Chirgwin in one evening is somewhat of a record, and Bird had to put |
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