Peace throughout his career was fond of notoriety――this has been evidenced in the latter part of his sinful life――and he looked forward with something like pleasure to the evening upon which he was to appear in conjunction with some worthy and honourable gentlemen who were acting in unison in the cause of charity. The Bradford people, in common with those of Birmingham, Liverpool, Norwich, and other manufacturing towns, love music for music’s sake; this is evidenced by the enormous gatherings at the festivals held at these great centres. The assertion made by people of other nations that the English are not a musical people is without a shadow of foundation――this fact is well known to all who are conversant with the subject. When the doors were opened at the schoolroom in which the entertainment was to take place crowds of persons rushed forward to obtain seats. The area was filled in an incredibly short space of time. By the time the performance commenced the whole place was full from floor to roof. Bessie Dalton, in company with Mrs. Bristow, the wife of an artisan residing in the parlours of the house in which Peace lived, had taken up her station at the entrance some half an hour or more before the public were admitted. Bessie and Mrs. Bristow therefore contrived to get a tolerably good position in the fourth row of the area. A young man, evidently moving in a superior class to themselves, had been of essential service to the two females in protecting them from the pressure of the crowd during their progress towards the entrance. He took a seat beside them. After waiting patiently for some considerable time the audience began to be restive. Many began to hammer on the boards with their feet, while others clapped their hands. “Hush! silence! order!” exclaimed several voices. “What are they making a noise for?” inquired Bessie, of the gentleman by her side. “Oh! it is time the performance commenced,” he answered, “and the people are getting impatient. They ought not to do so, seeing that the performers give their services gratuitously; and that, moreover, many of them are novices, and, perhaps, appear publicly this evening for the first time.” “Certainly,” said Mrs. Bristow. “People are so inconsiderate――so unreasonable.” These were stereotyped phrases which the speaker was accustomed to make use of on every occasion. The gentleman merely nodded his acquiescence to the proposition. A burst of applause announced the appearance of a young man on the platform, who proceeded in a most deliberate manner to place the piano in a better position. When this had been done he placed some music on the instrument, and drew forth a small music-stand, which he furnished in a similar manner. Having completed these arrangements he retired. A titter was heard in the house as he left. Nobody knew why or wherefore. Mr. Knight now came forward.