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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 138, 13 June 1877, Page 4

There is a curious story told (says the Pall Mall Gazette), of the manner in which Frederic the Great oould deal where other men had failed, with a prima donna of the period who was inclined to set too little store by the public. This great artist seemed to catch a cold, which had the effect of rendering her hoarse, and consequently unable to sing when anybody or any thipg had displeased her. One day a certain opera was to be performed at Berlin before the King himself. At the appointed hour the manager came forward, " Ladies and gentlemen, we grieve to inform you that our prima donna bas a sore throat, aod tbat the representation announced cannot'therefore take place." The stolid Teutonio audience seemed no whit surprised, and was moving out tranquilly when the King rose and commanded the musicans to keep tbeir places. Ths audience sat down and waited patiently on events. In less than a quarter of an hour the manager reappeared and spoke as follows : — v Ladies and gentlemen, I have the most unfeigned pleasure in informing you that our prima donna is completely cured of her sore throat, and will have tbe honor of singing before you to-night." Surely enough the famous singer soon appeared, and never had she sung better. Her triumph was complete. The King's prescription had been a very simple one. The prima donna having dismissed the unhappy manager, waa sitting comfortably before the fire in her own room, and rather pleased at the idea of having spoiled the pleasure of several hundreds of persons, when the door was violently thrown open, aud there entered an officer followed by four dradragoons. *■• Mademoiselle," quoth the officer; **' the King, my master; hes sent me to ask after your health.'" " The King is very good; I have a sore throat." " His Majesty knows it, and has charged me to take you at onoe to the military hospital, where you wiil be cured in a few days." Mademoiselle turned pale. *' You are jesting," she simpered; but Prussian officers, she waß informed, never jested. The lieutenant gave the order to his men, who seized Mademoiselle and carried her out of the theatre. A coach was in attendance j the Lady was deposited therein ; the offioer took his plaoe beside her, after shouting tbe address to the driver, " The military hospital 1 " and off they went, the dragoons riding alongside. In a few seconds, •* Stay," said the lady; "I think I feel better." " The King is anxious, Mademoiselle, that you should feel quite restored, and even that you should sing to-night." " I will try," murmured the prisoner. "Back to the theatre," cried the officer to the coachman. Arrived there, Mademoiselle began to think she had yielded too easily. "I will sing since his Majesty commands me," she said, "but God knows how." "You will sing," replied the officer, «*■ like the great artist that you are." "I shall sing like an artist with a bad cold." " I think not." " And why ? " " Because a couple of dragoons will be in attendance behind the scenes, and at the least cougb tbey have orders to arrest and carry you off again, to the military hospital. The hoarseness was now completely gone.