Reminiscences of My Life Book

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CHAPTER III Nervous Temperament—Criticisms. Serious and Amusing— Professional Tour in 1872—An Eccentric Accompanist—An Oblivious Agent—John Boosey—His Hospitality and Piping Bullfinch. On my return to England I had a great deal of work to do in London, and still more in the provinces, more than I ought to have done at times. I found that my chronic (as I believed) nervousness was increasing, without any cause that I could discover. I lived simply, seldom indulging in society dinners or other entertainments, and always arranging to have a good holiday in the summer, generally spent at Baveno, on the Lago Maggiore, a place little frequented at that time in the months of July and August. We were generally, my wife and children with two friends, the only occupants of the Hotel Beau Rivage. My greatest trouble was that, when occasionally I was out of voice, the fact was carefully noted in the press and reported to me by candid (candied would be better, as the coating of sugar removed, there remained only an insipid lump) well-wishers and friends. I never, except on a few occasions, read anything about myself which appeared in print. Once, by accident, I read in a Melbourne paper, among a number of short notes onCRITICS AND CRITICISM 27 notabilities, that " Mr. Santley does not care to read criticisms on his performances, as he does not like to be told of his shortcomings." Not the exact words, but the substance of the note. This is not true ; I do not take offence at remarks made in a proper spirit, however deep they cut; but I do resent ill-natured criticism of my work while, in the same article, I find incompetency held up to admiration; indiscriminate praise I find equally offensive. You may say, " How do you know this is so, if you do not read criticisms ?" Simply from ...