On one occasion the encore was so persistent as to arouse his ire; and, vexed by the applause, which was loud and continuous, he came to the front of the stage and said sharply:—
"If you do not stop this applause I will play all of Bach's forty-eight Preludes and Fugues from beginning to end."
The audience knew that he was able to keep his word, and if he took the notion he would undertake the task so they laughed, and did not insist on an encore.
74.—HÄNDEL'S ESCAPE.
In the early days Handel learned that the post of organist at Lübeck was vacant, and went on foot to that town to make application for the place. But he found an unusual stipulation attached to the vacancy. Whoever obtained the position was required to marry the deceased organist's daughter. Händel immediately retraced his steps without making application. Had the girl been prettier and Händel's pocketbook heavier, the result might have been different and his whole career changed—for the worse.
The musical world should be thankful that this young German musician was not attracted by the flaxen-haired daughter of that old organist. Had it been otherwise, Händel might have settled down to an honorable obscurity in that ancient German town and been diverted from that wonderful career of composition which has left the world so much his debtor.
75.—A HATFUL OF PEARLS.
Jenny Lind was the recipient of many handsome compliments, and none was more worthy of them than she. Some of her admirers were rather extravagant in their praise, and these she liked to joke when opportunity offered.
