DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0137
ACCOUNT OF GEORGE ROMONDO.
115
powers to the braying of asses, the grunting of hogs, the
barking of dogs, and the sounds emitted by almost every kind
of animal. He also perfectly imitates the harsh noise pro-
duced by the sawing of wood, and other operations. These
sounds he makes with the assistance of his hand placed
against a wall or wainscot, whence he wishes to per-
suade those who are ignorant of his talents, that the noise
proceeded.
The possession of this extraordinary faculty, recom-
mended him to the notice of a crafty Italian, who per-
suaded Raymondo to accompauy him to England, where
the patronage of a generous public was ever ready to re-
ward talent of every description, and where he flattered
him with the hope of speedily acquiring a fortune. He
exhibited his powers in the metropolis and in other
places. The Italian was at first a considerable gainer by
his performances, poor Raymondo receiving only a small
daily stipend fbr his exertions; but the music not per-
fectly according with the ears of those who have the
most money to spend, the speculation failed, and the
projector turned our hero adrift to provide for himself.
Being far from his native country and friends, and
having no hope of a new engagement, he was at first
under some embarrassment how to proceed. His inge-
nuity however, soon furnished him with an expedient
for supplying his necessities. He entered a public-house
unnoticed, and with the tremendous roaring of a lion,
threw the company into the utmost alarm. From this
however they soon recovered, on discovering the gro-
tesque figure of our hero, with whom they were soon so
highly delighted, that a subscription was set on foot for
his benefit, and the recollection of the treacherous Italian
was soon effaced from bis mind.
The success of this experiment determined him to
proceed
115
powers to the braying of asses, the grunting of hogs, the
barking of dogs, and the sounds emitted by almost every kind
of animal. He also perfectly imitates the harsh noise pro-
duced by the sawing of wood, and other operations. These
sounds he makes with the assistance of his hand placed
against a wall or wainscot, whence he wishes to per-
suade those who are ignorant of his talents, that the noise
proceeded.
The possession of this extraordinary faculty, recom-
mended him to the notice of a crafty Italian, who per-
suaded Raymondo to accompauy him to England, where
the patronage of a generous public was ever ready to re-
ward talent of every description, and where he flattered
him with the hope of speedily acquiring a fortune. He
exhibited his powers in the metropolis and in other
places. The Italian was at first a considerable gainer by
his performances, poor Raymondo receiving only a small
daily stipend fbr his exertions; but the music not per-
fectly according with the ears of those who have the
most money to spend, the speculation failed, and the
projector turned our hero adrift to provide for himself.
Being far from his native country and friends, and
having no hope of a new engagement, he was at first
under some embarrassment how to proceed. His inge-
nuity however, soon furnished him with an expedient
for supplying his necessities. He entered a public-house
unnoticed, and with the tremendous roaring of a lion,
threw the company into the utmost alarm. From this
however they soon recovered, on discovering the gro-
tesque figure of our hero, with whom they were soon so
highly delighted, that a subscription was set on foot for
his benefit, and the recollection of the treacherous Italian
was soon effaced from bis mind.
The success of this experiment determined him to
proceed