girl could only be sure she was destined for a stage career,"
said Mme. Homer, thoughtfully, "she might do many things from the start
that she doesn't think of doing before she knows.

"To go on with my Paris story. I kept faithfully at work for a year,
preparing myself for I knew not just what; I could not guess what was in
store. Then I got my first opera engagement, quite unexpectedly. I was
singing for some professional friends in a large _saale_. I noticed a
man standing with his back to me, looking out of one of the long
windows. When I finished, he came forward and offered me an engagement
at Vichy, for the summer season. The name Vichy only suggested to my
mind a kind of beverage. Now I learned the town had a flourishing Opera
House, and I was expected to sing eight roles. Thus my stage career
began."

WHAT ARE THE ASSETS FOR A CAREER?

"And what must the girl possess, who wishes to make a success with her
singing?" was asked.

"First of all, as I have already said, she must have a voice; she can
never expect to get very far without that. Voice is a necessity for a
singer, but it rests with her what she will do with it, how she will
develop it.

"The next asset is intelligence; that is as great a necessity as a
voice. For through the voice we express what we feel, what we are;
intelligence controls, directs, shines through and illumines everything.
Indeed what can be done without intelligence? I could mention a young
singer with a good natural voice, who takes her tones correctly, who
studies well; indeed one can find no fault with the technical side of
her work; but her singing has no meaning--it says absolutely nothing; it
only represents just so many notes."

"That is because she has not a musical nature," put in Mr. Homer. "To my
mind that is the greatest asset any one can have who wishes to become a
musician in any branch of the art. What can be done without a musical
nature? Of course I speak of the young singer who wishes to make a
career. There are many young people who take up singing for their own
pleasure, never expecting to do much with it. And it is a good thing to
do so. It gives pleasure to their family and friends--is a healthful
exercise, and last but not least, is financially good for the teacher
they employ.

"But the trouble comes when these superficial students aspire to become
opera singers, after a couple of seasons' study. Of course they all cast
eyes at the Metropolitan, as th