A Melba Story

Manawatu Herald, 7 February 1903, Page 3

A Melba Story

U Anecdotes about Melba are always welcomed by the American press, and the following is one of the most recently published. It is probably more readable than exact: "Field-Marshal Lord Wolseley, hero of campaigns, has met defeat in an engagement of wits. He has been vanquished by a woman. The visitor in the little dinner-table tilt was Madame Melba, and the scene of the occurrence the house of a member of the British aristocracy. '* Madame Melba, at this dinner, was seated at the right of Lord Wolseley, who was at the right of the hostess of the evening. Lord Wolseley, at the beginning of the dinner, asked pf the hostess, ‘ Who is the lady at my right r “ ‘ Why, that is Madame Melba, ii • \vho is this Madame Melba ?’ - " 1 Is it possible that your lordship does not know the great singer ?’ n u • oh, yes. Born in Australia, 1 believe.’ And with that the general applied himself to the course then served. After a few minutes, he turned to the prima donna, greeted her pleasantly, and said, 1 You are an Australian. I believe, Madame? I know a great deal about your country. My brother lives in Melbourne. n 1 And pray, sir, what is the name of your brother?’ the singer naively • Goodness! Why, his name is the game as mino-Wolseley,’ answered the surprised officer. < »i< Who is Wolseley ? I do not recall having heard that name,’ Madame Melba explained. : hi Why, I am General Wolseley, replied the astonished officer. "Wolseley? Wolseley? Wolseley? whispered the singer, as A if f PP car *?S to refresh her memory. And then the general applied himself again to the foodi He had learned his lesson.

Better than B er, better than Whiskey, WOLBE’S SCHNAPPS.