attraction for all aspirations.

He came then, this young virtuoso, and presented himself at the
Conservatoire, asking to enter as a pupil. After going through a
brilliant examination, and after fighting against more than sixty
rivals, he was received with unanimity.

In July, 1856, one year from the time of his entering the
Conservatoire, White won all the "approbations," and wreaths and
laurels were given him.

But we will let the newspapers of the time speak; for our own pen will
be powerless to give an account of the successes of the eminent
artist. The "Gazette Musicale" of the 3d of August, 1856, speaks
thus:--

... "We will say as much of the pupil who has won the first
prize for violin, and who came the last in the list of
concurrents. The Viotti Concerto had already been played
nineteen times; and, notwithstanding the great beauties of
this classic work, the jury began to listen to it with but a
dreamy ear. Mr. White appeared the twentieth. He belongs to
a race whose complexion is more of a copper-color, with
black and frizzled hair. He carries the head high, and his
look is proud and intrepid. He approaches the eternal
concerto, and it instantly becomes an entirely new
creation.

"The jury listened to it with as much pleasure as if they
heard it for the first time; and scarcely had Mr. White
finished this piece when the jury retired to vote,
proclaiming him the victor.

"Mr. White is eighteen years and a few months old. Since a
year ago he has been in the Conservatoire, and studies in
Alard's class.

"But where has he taken his first lessons? How did this son
of America become the equal of the greatest violinists known
in Europe? That is what we do not know, and what we ask to
know for the honor of the American school, of which Mr.
White is a splendid example."

The paper, "Le Pays," of the 5th of August, 1856, expresses itself in
terms none the less flattering:--

"The concourse of violinists has presented this year a
beautiful sight. The fight has been one of the most
brilliant. The first prize has been awarded to Mr. White,
pupil of Mr. Alard.

"... As for Mr. White, he showed himself so much superior,
that there ought to have been (so we think) created in his
favor an exceptional prize. He has played with an
extraordinary animation, not