THE MAPLESON MEMOIRS

My Connection Severed—Musical Protective Union—American Orchestras—Rival Opera-Houses—Operatic Trial by Jury —St. Cecilia's Day—The Feast of Father Flattery

Patti and her Shoes—Patti Seized for Debt—Flight of Gerster —Conflict at Chicago—Bouquets out of Season—Cincinnati Floods—Abbey's Collapse—Resolve to go West

Gerster Refuses; Patti Volunteers—Arrival at Cheyenne —Patti Dines the Prophet—Threats of an Interviewer—Arrival at San Francisco

The Patti Epidemic—Gerster Furore—Tickets 400% Premium —My Arrest—Capture of "Scalpers"—Death of my First "Basso"—"That Patti Kiss"

Luncheon on H.M.S. Triumph—Opera Auction—Concert at Mormon Tabernacle—Return to New York—Return to Europe—Sheriffs in the Academy—I Depart in Peace

Royal Italian Opera Liquidates—Getting Patti off the Ship—Henry Ward Beecher's Cider—Patti's Silver Wedding—A Patti Programme of 1855—A Black Concert

Panic at New Orleans—Thermometer Falls 105 Degrees—Banquet at Chicago—The "Count di Luna" at Market—Coffee John—An American George Robins—My Under-taker

Patti and Scalchi—Nevada's Début—A Chinese Swing—A Visit from Above—Rescued Treasure—Great Chicago Festival—American Hospitality

"Count di Luna" Introduced to "Leonora"—A Patti Contract —The Sting of the Engagement—A Tenor's Suite—A Presentation of Jewellery—My "Don Giovanni"—A Profitable Tour

My Covent Garden Season—Patti's London Silver Wedding—Return to New York—Difficulties Begin—Rival Rehearsals—Grand Opera and Operetta

House Divided against Itself—Rev. H. Haweis on Wagner—H.R.H. and Wotan—Elle a déchiré mon gilet—Arditi's Remains—Return to San Francisco

The Retreat from Frisco—Hotel Dangers—A Scene from Carmen—Operatic Invalids—Murderous Lovers—Ravelli's Claim—General Barnes's Reply—Clamour for Higher Prices—My Onward March