"The evening of my first concert in the King's Theatre is now so near, that I feel the duty of announcing it myself, to implore the favour of the English nation, which honours the arts as much as I respect it.
"Accustomed, in all the nations of the Continent, to double the ordinary prices of the theatres where I have given my concerts, and little instructed in the customs of this capital, in which I present myself for the first time, I did believe that I could do the same; but, informed by many of the journals that the prices already established there are higher than those on the Continent, and having myself seen that the observation was just, I second, willingly, the desire of a public, the esteem and good will of which I ambition as my first recompense.
"Paganini."
As it was, the prices were high enough. The boxes the same as on opera night, orchestra and stalls, £1 1s.; pit, 10s. 6d.; gallery, 5s.
His avarice was notorious, as noted in the following verses, which appeared in The Original of July 28, 1832.
"A Note of Enquiry, addressed to Paganini.
"Grant me reply, great Fiddler, to a word
Of question by my sympathy preferr'd;
Ah! do not fail:—
This wound that dooms thy fiddle to be dumb,
Which part of thy extraordinary thumb
Doth it assail?
Doth it at side, or joint, its mischief make?
Or is it, like the money thou dost take,
Down on the nail?"
In a notice of his first concert, the Times says—
"The personal appearance of Paganini is remarkable. He is a tall, thin man, with features rather emaciated, pale complexion, a sharp, aquiline nose, and a keen eye, the expression of which is greatly heightened when he is animated by his performance. His hair, which is dark, is worn long behind, and combed off the forehead and temples, in a manner which gives an air of great simplicity to his countenance. He seems to be about fifty years of age.
"The enthusiasm which his performance excited last night among the audience certainly surpassed anything of the kind within these walls. Every tour de force and striking passage was not only applauded, but cheered by the whole audience, and some of the variations were encored. At the end of every performance, and especially after the last, the applause, cheering, and waving of handkerchiefs and hats, altogether presented a most extraordinary scene. Foreigners, who have been present at his concerts in several other parts of Europe, remarked that the applause bestowed, and the enthusiasm excited last night, were greater than they had ever witnessed before."