Felix Cherniavsky - Performing Artists Touring Australia, 1914

Added 18th Mar 2022 by Beth Dobson (Archives and Programming Assistant, DCD) / Last update 18th Mar 2022

Maud Allan 700 51 2008-1-36.jpg
Maud Allan 700 51 2008-1-36.jpg
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Felix Cherniavsky - Performing Artists Touring Australia, 1914

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Maud Allan Research Collection
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51.2008-1-36
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LANDER , Sur Harm Roamin in the Gloumin le Tuo loured loupassap Syday March 30 , 1914 ) been broached to me and I had actually agreed to the terms of an exceedingly handsome offer put up to me as far back as 1911. But it was not until three years later that I was free to set sail for the island - continent . This I did from San Francisco , in February , 1914. The long sail over the blue Pacific was an enchanting experience to me . I do not suppose there is a boy or man in the wide world who has not dreamed , at one time or another , of the South Sea Islands , of coral reefs and waving palm - trees , of moon light nights and melody under the Southern Cross . I did very often as a wee boy . And here was I , the poor half timer in Gordon's Flax Mill , the toiling miner in the coal pits of Lanarkshire , having my dreams realized I was in deed sailing away into the seas , and to the islands , of Romance . I have made the same voyage several times since then , but have never quite recaptured the thrill which marked my first venturing upon those wonder seas of the West . We arrived at Sydney on a glorious morning . As we slowly sailed up the magnificent harbour - surely the noblest “ home of ships ” in all the world - every vessel flagged me a welcome or blew a cock - a - doodle - do on her siren . But if I felt flattered by the reception given me in the harbour itself , what can I say about the warmth of the welcome accorded me by the people of Sydney ? Had I been the discoverer of Australia returning after fifty years to see how the people were faring , I could not have been received with greater acclaim . The quays were crowded , the main streets were lined , bands were playing , the Mayor and the members of the Corporation were on duty to hand me , metaphorically , the keys of Sydney and of Australia . It was all very wonderful . ' I felt , as I have always felt on such occasions , that I was wholly unworthy of demon strations so uithusiastic , so general , so spontaneous . Again , of course , the expaisiated Scotties were prominent in the welcome ; I have never been under any mis apprehension as to the publicity value of my own kith an ! kin throughout the world . The fiery cross of the " clans men ” is as poteni tv - day lo ially the Macdonalds , the Macintoshes , the Macgregors , the Duncans , the “ Tam sons ” , as ever it was in the days of the Young Pretender ! 176 They gave me a fine banquet at Farmer's Stores the following evening . I sang “ Roamin ' in the Gloamin ? " , but , though there were vociferous demands for an encore , I told them that my programme would be continued on Easter Saturday night at the Theatre Royal , and at the usual charges for admission ! I played a solid month at Sydney that first visit . There was never an empty seat in the house . Afterwards I went to Melbourne , played the same number of weeks under the same happy conditions , and sub sequently made the pleasant ( and extremely profitable ) acquaintance of the people of Adelaide , Brisbane , and other towns . I also went down to New Zealand for six weeks . Here I got an absolutely amazing welcome . You must remember that the folks in New Zealand are more Scottish than the Scots themselves ; their lovely islands are known as " the other Scotland down under " . I had some gorgeous trout - fishing in New Zealand . That country I should describe as an angler's paradise . Many and many a fine basket of speckled beauties I have landed down Invercar gill way with my friend Donald Macdonald , and this winter I am going back there , not to work , but to fish all day long -- and all night too , if they're rising ! I was happier during this trip to Australia than I had been for a long time . It had been arranged that John was to come out and join us for a long holiday immediately after Cambridge had closed down for the summer vacation . He was within a few days ' sail of Australia when we got back from New Zealand . And his mother and I could scarcely contain ourselves for joy over the thought that he would soon be with us . I cried like a child when he stepped off the ship , looking bronzed and well , after his voyage , and bigger and more manly than when I had seen him about a year previously . His training as a subaltern in the territorial regiment of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had evidently done him good , I told myself . Our greetings over , the first thing he said to me was , “ What's the news from home , Dad ? The Outlook is pretty had , don't you think ? " He referred , of course , to the war clouds then gathering thick and foreboding over the political horizon in Europe . I replied that everybody was trusting the situation would be clarified very soon ; 177

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