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    HOW TO UTILIZE THE POWERS OF WOMEN. 45

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    —, ~*Ss* Immense According Country Three...

    A somewhat ludicrous story is told of a Spaniard , who , having to been maintain driven his from position his country , and , also and to not prevent exactly his knowing soul taking what fli to g do ht

    from his body , ventured to teach the guitar . This happened at Argentan in Lower Normandy . Having a natural ear for music , and

    having received perhaps some few lessons in early youth , he succeeded extremely well in teaching the sentimental young gentlemen of the

    place how to serenade their future spouses . As he proceeded , he acquired skill , and his confidence more than kept pace with his

    acquirements . His blue blood seemed to become bluer as the name of some new pupil was almost every month added to his list . He played

    at parties , and the enthusiasm of the good people of Argentan for their Spanish guitarist knew no bounds . At length a withered

    middle-aged gentleman came to Argentan . It was not exactly known to what country he belonged , though most persons had a

    suspicion that his cradle had been rocked in Navarre , if not in Castille . Something inspired him with the wish to learn to play on

    the guitar , and he sent for the professor to his house , a large building standing in the midst of grounds , with coachhouses and stables

    suited to the establishment of a prince , though neither carriage nor horse were in them . The stranger who appeared to be a miser , kept

    but one servant , a darkey , leaner and more withered than himself . When , one fine morning in June , the great guitarist arrived , flushed

    with the hopes of the inflowing of francs , he was shown by the African into a garden where there were walks half a mile long ,

    bordered with tulips . Presently the master appeared , received the professor in the most courteous manner , and conducted him into a

    summer-house , where he thought proper to take his lessons . In all his experience , however , the guitarist had never met with so

    impracticable a pupil . He had no more ear for music than Dean Swiffc , who boasted that he could hardly distinguish between a nightingale ' s

    song and the braying of a donkey . It was much the same with the stranger pupil . But if his stupidity was greatso also was his

    , generosity . Instead of being miserly as the neighbours generally supposed , he proved himself to be very profuse , and gave the worthy

    teacher about ten times what had been agreed upon . One day while they were sitting together as usual in the

    summerhouse , he took up the guitar and handled it in a way which made the professor tremble , and saying carelessly" I think I have

    pro-, fited a little by your lessons , " began to play in a manner so exquisite , that the unfortunate refugee , overwhelmed with shame , threw

    himself on his knees before him , and asked a thousand pardons for having taken his money .

    " The fact is , " he observed , "lam a poor Spanish gentleman driven from my country , and having no means of living , bethought

    me of my country ' s favorite instrument , which has helped me on pretty well till now . "

    " It has helped you much better than you imagine , " replied the

    How To Utilize The Powers Of Women. 45

    HOW TO UTILIZE THE POWERS OF WOMEN . 45

• Citation
  • English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), March 1, 1859, page 45, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01031859/page/45/