“In what manner?”
“Why, in my manner of study. I remember once, during my season under Augustus Harris, of an incident of this order. He gave a garden party one Sunday to which several of his company were invited, myself included. When the afternoon was well along he came to me and said: ‘Did you ever sing “Valencia” in “The Huguenots”?’ I told him I had not.
“‘Do you think you could learn the music and sing it by next Saturday night?’
“I felt a little appalled at the question, but ventured to say that I could. I knew that hard work would do it.
“‘Then do,’ he replied; ‘for I must have you sing it.’
“Let me ask you one thing,” I said. “Has America good musical material?”
THE MUSICAL TALENT OF AMERICAN GIRLS.
“As much as any other country, and more, I should think. The higher average of intelligence here should yield a greater percentage of musical intelligence.”
“Then there ought to be a number of great American women singers in the future?”
“There ought to be, but it is a question whether there will be. They are not cut out for the work which it requires to develop a good voice.”