asserted itself, and he received notice from the Government that his absence from England was desired, and the quicker it came about the better for M. Viotti. So he took up his residence in Holland for some years, until this edict was revoked, when he returned to England. There he forsook art for commerce for a time and entered into the wine business. It could hardly be said of him, however, as it was of Michael Kelly, that he should be labeled, "composer of wine and importer of music." It is not surprising that an artist should be unsuccessful as a business man, and soon Viotti again turned to his art to retrieve what he had lost in business.
Going again to Paris, he became director of the Grand Opera, and was later retired to private life with a pension granted by the French Government. He then returned to London and spent his remaining days in that city, where he died in 1824.
239.—NOT THE GEESE THAT SAVED ROME.
The stories told of Hans von Bülow are legion, but the following is too good to omit:—
Bülow was a master of satire and irony, as the orchestras and choruses which came under his direction could well testify.
On one occasion he rebuked the feminine half of an oratorio chorus which he was rehearsing. While the tenors and basses were singing their parts the sopranos and altos indulged in conversation. They were called to order several times, but paid no attention. Finally von Bülow rapped upon his desk and called out, "Ladies, Rome does not have to be saved to-night," which remark produced the desired effect.
