6 THROUGH CANADA 



example of the "Art of how not to do it." The self- 

 constituted impresario went about soliciting the 

 assistance of all and sundry in getting up " a little 

 concert." He forestalled objections by asserting that 

 he was convinced you could do something, and his 

 friend by his side would be delighted to take down 

 your name. " What, can't sing — then you can play : 

 no ? Well, let it be a recitation ; put down a recita- 

 tion, Mr. So-and-so." For the greater part of the 

 day one overheard in various quarters of the ship, 

 "We are getting up a little concert . . . you can 

 do something. What, can't sing ! " etc. At length 

 the suggestion was made that some of the passengers 

 ought to be left for the purpose of audience, as the 

 list of performers had assumed prodigious proportions. 

 The wisdom of this advice in due course bore fruit, 

 whereupon the impresario took immediate steps to 

 rectify the matter. The next day he went about 

 asking persons who had been pressed into service if 

 they minded their names being dropped. " The 

 programme was too long," etc., etc. Most of the 

 passengers willingly acquiesced, but one lady 

 resolutely declined to render any assistance in the 

 proposed act of self-effacement. " Certainly, I object. 

 Why should I be dropped out } You asked me to 

 sing ; I did not offer my services." The force of the 

 argument was so irresistible that even the impresario 

 saw it The item consisted of a ballad of some 

 twenty-five verses, unaccovipanied. It is on record 



