A HUMAN NIGHTINGALE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17583, 29 May 1919, Page 2

A HUMAN NIGHTINGALE.

MISS P. W. VISITS MIBS FLORENCE

SMITHSON

" Sing and grow fat" is the accepted variation of an, 014 saying. But dainty Miss Florence Smithson proves the remark to be a fallacy. Like a fragile bit of porcelain in appearance, one wonders on seeing her at that marvellous top notu, ana where all the trills and sweetness of her lovely voice are stored. She is so essentially dainty, such a iairylike singer. But then, as she herself told me, her voice is a natural one : so there you are.

Of course she has had her generous share of compliments during her career, hut the one she remembers and loves best was paid her by the great Meibu wheu in Australia. Said the famous prima donna. "I have heard of people imitating the birds, but Florence teaches them. I waited for Miss Snath son's limerick in her dressing room the other night nlong with her small daughter. Little Joy showed me " mother's mascots." There Was an aeroplane made by wounded boys that hung over her dressing-table, and a "fumbs up" baby that has been with her for year 3 now. Another dressing-table treasure was a model of a tank, named Haig, also made by the wounded. "Ah," said Miss Smithson, as she popped in, "I keep it there for a purpose. Anybody who uses a swear-word in this room must pay a i.enny into the tank. The pennies will go to St. Dunstan's. "But," she twned, "so far we have only one penny in."