e end and aim of all striving.

"Just as if, when a young man enters a law office, it is going to lead
him to the White House, or that he expects it will," said Mr. Homer.

"Then," resumed the artist, "we have already three requirements for a
vocal career; Voice, Intelligence and a Musical Nature. I think the
Fourth should be a Capacity for Work. Without application, the gifts of
voice, intelligence and a musical nature will not make an artist. To
accomplish this task requires ceaseless labor, without yielding to
discouragement. Perhaps the Fifth asset would be a cheerful optimism as
proof against discouragement.

"That is the last thing the student should yield to--discouragement, for
this has stunted or impaired the growth of many singers possessed of
natural talent. The young singer must never be down-hearted. Suppose
things do not go as she would like to have them; she must learn to
overcome obstacles, not be overcome by them. She must have backbone
enough to stand up under disappointments; they are the test of her
mettle, of her worthiness to enter the circle with those who have
overcome. For she can be sure that none of us have risen to a place in
art without the hardest kind of work, struggle and the conquering of all
sorts of difficulties.

"The sixth asset ought to be Patience, for she will need that in large
measure. It is only with patient striving, doing the daily vocal task,
and trying to do it each day a little better than the day before, that
anything worth while is accomplished. It is a work that cannot be
hurried. I repeat it; the student must have unlimited patience to labor
and wait for results.

COLORATURA AND DRAMATIC

"I would advise every student to study coloratura first. Then, as the
voice broadens, deepens and takes on a richer timbre, it will turn
naturally to the more dramatic expression. The voice needs this
background, or foundation in the old Italian music, in order to acquire
flexibility and freedom. I was not trained to follow this plan myself,
but my daughter Louise, who is just starting out in her public career,
has been brought up to this idea, which seems to me the best.

MEMORIZING

"I memorize very easily, learning both words and music at the same time.
In taking up a new role, my accompanist plays it for me and we go over
it carefully noting all there is in language and notes. When I can take
it to bed with me, and go over it mentally; when I can go through it as
I w