ledged the chef-d'œuvre of Paesiello. Overflowing houses, for three successive seasons, bore testimony to its merits. I played the old man; and although really little more than a boy, never lost sight of the character I was personating for a moment.

After the first night's performance, His Majesty, the Emperor, was pleased to have it signified to me, through Prince Rosenberg, that he was so much surprised and pleased with my performance, that he had ordered an addition to my salary of one hundred zecchinos per annum, (about fifty pounds British,) which I ever after enjoyed, during my stay at Vienna: in short, wherever I went I was nicknamed Old Gafferio.

Paesiello was particularly kind to me, during his stay at Vienna, and was much diverted with my monkey antics. When at Naples, he wrote to me, to say that the King of Naples had commanded him to put the opera of "Il Teodoro" in rehearsal, and wished me to ask the Emperor for six months' leave of absence to go to Naples and perform in it; and I should have my journey paid, and a most ample remuneration given me. This offer, liberal as it was, for private reasons not worth recording, I refused. The song in Old Gafferio's part, which I may say was the lucky star of my professional career, strange as it may appear, I had the folly to refuse to sing, thinking it too trivial for me. I sent

it back to Paesiello; he desired to see me-I went -and he played me the beautiful accompaniment for it which he had written, but which was not sent me, I having received only the voice part. When I was going away, this great man gave me a gentle admonition, not to judge of things rashly: a piece of advice not thrown away upon me.

The Emperor, this season, had a number of gala days, both at Vienna and at Schoenbrunn, the gardens of which very much resemble those of Hampton Court, but on a larger scale. There were several balls and fêtes given there, and fireworks of the most brilliant description, all open to the public. I remember one evening, seeing there Lord and Lady Buckley, Sir Robert Williams, Lord and Lady Granard, Colonel and Mrs. Doyle, and a great number of English nobility, who were then at Vienna, and whom I had the honour of meeting at Sir Robert Keith's, the English ambassador.

There were a number of fêtes also given at the Hantz Garden, which the people of Vienna frequented, particularly on Sundays: several of the alleys and walks are like those in Kensington Gardens. In the gardens there was an excellent restaurant, where dinner parties continually met; and the accommodations were excellent.

An event happened to me in returning to Vienna,

1

from that place, which, at the time, made a terrific impression on me. There was a young nobleman at Vienna, whose name it would be improper to publish (though the transaction was perfectly notorious). The son of Prince P, who had been governor of Gratz; five and twenty years of age, very affable and accomplished, although wild and dissipated. Remembering me at Gratz, he often called upon me at Vienna. He was a great musical amateur, and a constant attendant at the Italian Opera House. One morning, he called, and asked me to meet him at three o'clock at the Hantz Garden, and dine with him there afterwards. I kept my appointment; we had an excellent tête-àtête dinner, and passed an extremely pleasant day. It was in the summer season, and about nine o'clock we returned to Vienna in a hackney coach. As we were entering the Grauben Street, the coach was stopped and surrounded by a crowd of police officers; both the doors were instantly opened, and the Count and myself dragged into the street. Mr. Wivse, lieutenant of police, came to me and desired me not to be alarmed." Mr. O'Kelly," said he, "you have nothing to fear, but we have a warrant against your companion, Count P, for forgery, to a large amount: you are at liberty to go where you please, but he must be taken to prison."

They accordingly took him away, and I was not allowed to follow him. In a few days he was tried, and condemned to sweep the streets of Vienna. Often, as I have been walking, I have met this unfortunate man, with his head shaved, wearing a paper cap, and a jacket of coarse cloth, chained, with a large log tied to his leg, and a broom in his hand, actually sweeping the crossways with other felons.

Those unfortunate wretches, after they have swept the streets for a limited period, as an example, are chained in couples, and compelled to drag barges on the Danube. Every interest was made to save him; the Princess L-n, to whom he was nearly related, then in a most critical state of health, threw herself upon her knees before the Emperor to procure his pardon; but His Majesty was inflexible, and said that, " If he had a son who had been guilty of the same crime, he should undergo the same punishment." This event made an awful impression on me, and it was long before my spirits recovered the shock.

Just after this startling event, the Italian company were ordered to prepare to follow His Majesty to his palace at Luxemburgh, and to remain there for the summer months. The palace is only a few miles from Vienna, and nothing can be more magnificent; it is surrounded by forests full of all kinds

of game; the park, gardens, and grounds, truly beautiful, and in the centre of a rich and luxuriant country. The theatre was very pretty, and very well attended; for all had their entrée to it gratis, including the surrounding peasantry.

Italian operas were performed three times, German plays twice, and German operas twice in each · week. I passed the time here most delightfully. Every performer of the Italian opera had separate apartments allotted to him, and his breakfast was sent thither. There was a magnificent saloon, in which we all met at dinner. The table was plentifully and luxuriantly supplied with every delicacy of the season; with wines of all descriptions, as well as all kinds of fruits, ices, &c.; and every night, after the spectacle, an excellent supper. In the mornings I had nothing to do (there were no rehearsals) but to amuse myself. The Emperor and his Court went often in chase of the Airone -bird-an amusement he was very partial to. Prince Dichtrestein, the Master of the Horse, was very friendly to Signora Storace, and did her the kindness to send her one of the court barouches to view the chase. I always accompanied her on these

excursions.

One day, the Emperor rode up to our carriage on horseback, and asked us, if we were amused, and if he could do any thing for us. Storace, with