J. D. Wickham and the Prima Donna.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3163, 8 April 1879, Page 3

J. D. Wickham and the Prima Donna.

Poor J. D. Wickham's turn has come, and his name will now be placed in the long list of martyrs to tho cause of plain speaking; among the names of men famous in their day and generation for stating the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It had often been remarked, by those who knew him well, that the day would come when his ready tongue and fearless defence of the right would obtain for him a nich in the temple of fame, and a place among the benefactors of the " whole human race." His sensitive ear was offended by the performances of the Royal Opera Company at present in Auckland, and as might be expected from a company that did not advertise in the Free Lance, and could not sing, his critique in Saturday's Free Lance on their efforts to please tho refined public of Auckland, and himself in particulaxy was worded in round set terms. Tofiiay the notice was rough upon this company would be doing injury to the well-known character of the editor and proprietor of tbe Free Lauce, and that it was deserved is fully borne out by the late notices of the company in the Star and Herald, and is only another tribute to tbe common sense and judgment shown by Mr Wickham in the management of his journal. Miss Wangenheim, the leading lady,-determined to , express her opinion of the outspoken j critique, called during Saturday afternoon at the office of the Free Lance and asked for the editor. (We should have said she had a horsewhip in her hand with which she intended to emphasize, or rather point her remarks during the interview.) Those who -know Mr Wickham will at once understand how pleased he was to see a lady in his sanctum, and having in his usual urbane manner offered the editorial chair to his fair visitor, admitted with many a blush that he was the unworthy editor of the only'free and independent journal in Auckland. Miss Wangenheim, introducing herself as the prima donna of the Royal Opera Company, refused to sit in the seat of the scornful, remembering, no doubt, the lessons of her early days, and said her business, although of importance, would not detain Mr Wiokham long from his literary labors. She at once referred to the independent journal, and the notice of the opera, and in no measured terms gave Mr Wickham her opinion of his efforts on behalf of the whole human race, and his knowledge of operatic performances. She expected she said, to meet a gentleman (at which Mr Wickham bowed humbly), but was surprised to find so insignificant an individaul, void of all personal beauty, and wanting in the sense of what was due to herself and the ladies of her company—artists that had received the moat flattering notices from competent judges of the works of the great masters of English and Italian opera. She, in common parlance, let J. D. have it, but unfortunately for him did not throw in the points with the horsewhip. Our poor friend felt the situation keenly, and remarked, after the first round of her eloquence was over, that conscientiousness was one of his bumps, and destiny had shaped him for a modern Don Quixote, but at the same time he regretted his remarks had hurt the feelings of so fair a lady.