When Liszt made his first trip to St. Petersburg, Russia had no railroads, and he traveled over badly neglected roads in a heavily loaded coach, with his secretary and valet. One day, not far from the small town of P—— the coach broke down. Examination showed that it would take at least two days to repair it. This forced Liszt to go to the hotel of the town, a place that could neither offer him his accustomed comforts nor luxuries nor anything in the way of amusements. Liszt was then at the height of his triumphant career, and all the joys and pleasures of life were his. To such a man the enforced rest in such a poor place, must have been depressing. Under these circumstances it was a happy thought that came to the secretary while reading a poem of Alfred de Musset. In it the poet says: “La reméde au melancolique c’est la musique.” “The remedy for melancholy is music.” The artist was lying in an easy chair by the fire, watching the smoke from his Havana, when the secretary proposed to kill time by giving some concerts. Solely in the hope of getting a change and some diversion out of it, Liszt laughingly consented. Quickly the necessary arrangements were made and the concert was to be given on the following night in the dancing hall of the hotel. Now either the virtuoso’s fame had not penetrated so far, or else they doubted that he was the genuine, great Liszt, for when the artist stepped on the platform, he looked at a yawning gulf of empty chairs. About fifteen persons were present. Taking off his gloves, he looked smilingly at the little band of faithful ones, then came forward and, in the amiable, merry way he had of talking, he pointed out to them that the hall was cold and uncomfortable, while his own sitting-room was warm and cozy. He took the liberty therefore to ask those present to follow him and to take a little supper with him. And offering his arm to the young lady sitting next to him he led the way, while the rest followed not a little surprised, but full of curiosity. With the help of his secretary and valet, he gave them quite a supper with champagne, Liszt making a most fascinating host, and sitting down to the piano unasked, he played for the mixed company some national airs, which were jubilantly applauded. It was a highly enjoyable evening for the guests and even more so for the host, who thanked his secretary warmly. The next evening the second concert took place, and the hall was crowded. Whether they came in the hope of being invited to supper or whether their interest in music was aroused is hard to decide. Liszt laughingly inclined to the former. At any rate, the concert was a brilliant success, the whole aristocracy of the neighborhood was present, greeting him with storms of applause. After the concert, they overwhelmed him with invitations, so that the great artist was obliged to extend his stay to a week. He always recalled this as one of his merriest traveling experiences. Paganini and the Cab Driver