From the Archive: August 1901

Roslin le Beau began to play the violin when he was very young, and became, in course of time, an exceedingly good player. He was, indeed, a persona grata in the best circles on account of his really beautiful playing. Many persons declared that they preferred him to Joachim, the “king” of violinists, as some papers call him, on which our friend Roslin smiled and said he must, then, surely be the “Emperor,” since he was preferred to the “King”.

A strange fancy seized upon him and fascinated his mind: he felt that he should like to make himself a name as a street musician. It was, therefore, decided that he should make his first appearance somewhere near the Marble Arch that day fortnight, and he forthwith practised up a few pieces for the occasion…