JOSEPH WHITE.
As soon as his hands were large enough to hold a violin, they gave him one; and were much astonished, when, at the end of a few months, he presented himself before a large audience, striking the same with amazement by the manner, entirely magisterial, in which he so early attacked the instrument.
He continued his studies until the year 1855, when, at the suggestion of the famous Gottschalk, who had noticed the signs of genius in the young man, he started for Paris, the city of wonders, and centre of attraction for all aspirations.
He came then, this young virtuoso, and presented himself at the Conservatoire, asking to enter as a pupil. After going through a brilliant examination, and after fighting against more than sixty rivals, he was received with unanimity.
In July, 1856, one year from the time of his entering the Conservatoire, White won all the "approbations," and wreaths and laurels were given him.
But we will let the newspapers of the time speak; for our own pen will be powerless to give an account of the successes of the eminent artist. The "Gazette Musicale" of the 3d of August, 1856, speaks thus:—
... "We will say as much of the pupil who has won the first prize for violin, and who came the last in the list of concurrents. The Viotti Concerto had already been played nineteen times; and, notwithstanding the great beauties of this classic work, the jury began to listen to it with but a dreamy ear. Mr. White appeared the twentieth. He belongs to a race whose complexion is more of a copper-color, with black and frizzled hair. He carries the head high, and his look is proud and intrepid. He approaches the eternal concerto, and it instantly becomes an entirely new creation.
"The jury listened to it with as much pleasure as if they heard it for the first time; and scarcely had Mr. White finished this piece when the jury retired to vote, proclaiming him the victor.