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CHAPTER XVI。 JENNY LIND。
DARING VENTUREBARNUM'S AMBASSADORUNPRECEDENTED TERMS OFFEREDTEXT OF THE CONTRACTHARD WORK TO RAISE THE GUARANTEE FUNDEDUCATING THE AMERICAN MIND TO RECEIVE THE FAMOUS SINGER。
The next enterprise undertaken by Barnum was an entirely new departure。 It was justly regarded by him as bold in its conception； complete in its development； and astounding in its success。 To the end of his days he looked upon it with pride and satisfaction。 Probably it did more than anything else in all his career to give him a permanent and supreme position in the esteem of the public。
This enterprise was the bringing of Jenny Lind to America for a concert tour。
Miss Lind； often called the 〃Swedish Nightingale；〃 was one of the most remarkable singers of the world； in that or any generation。 All Europe was enraptured by her art； and her fame had encircled the globe。 Barnum had never heard her； as she had not visited London until a few weeks after his return to America。 But her reputation was enough to determine him to engage her； if possible； for an American tour。 So he sent Mr。 J。 H。 Wilton； an English musician； who was visiting New York； back to London to negotiate terms with her。 Barnum agreed to pay Wilton his expenses if he had to return without her； but a handsome sum if he succeeded in bringing the songstress to America with him。 He told Wilton to engage her on shares if possible。 If not； to engage her for any sum up to a thousand dollars a night； for any number of nights up to 150； besides paying all her expenses； including servants； carriages； etc。； and not more than three musical assistants。 He also offered to secure her by placing the whole 150；000 in the hands of her London bankers in advance！
Wilton went to London； had some correspondence with her； and then went to Lubeck； where she was singing。 She told him frankly that she had； since he first wrote to her； been busy making inquiries about Barnum's character； trustworthiness； etc。； and that she was perfectly satisfied with what she had found out。 There were； however； four other men negotiating with her to the same end。 One of these gentlemen was a well…known opera manager in London； another； a theatrical manager in Manchester； a third； a musical composer and conductor of the orchestra of Her Majesty's Opera in London； and the fourth； Chevalier Wyckoff； who had conducted a successful speculation some years previously by visiting America in charge of the celebrated danseuse； Fanny Ellsler。
She also insisted that； under whatever auspices she should go to America； she should have as an accompanist Mr。afterwards SirJulius Benedict； the composer； and Signor Belletti； an eminent Italian singer。
Finally； on January 9； 1850； Wilton succeeded in his mission。 Miss Lind agreed to come to America under Barnum's management； and an elaborate contract was drawn up and signed This historic document was as follows：
MEMORANDUM of an agreement entered into this ninth day of January； in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty； between John Hall Wilton； as agent for PHINEAS T。 BARNUM； of New York； in the United States of North America； of the one part； and Mademoiselle JENNY LIND； Vocalist； of Stockholm； in Sweden； of the other part； wherein the said Jenny Lind doth agree：
First。 To sing for the said Phineas T。 Barnum in one hundred and fifty concerts； including oratorios within （if possible） one year or eighteen months from the date of her arrival in the city of New Yorkthe said concerts to be given in the United States of North America and Havana。 She； the said Jenny Lind； having full control as to the number of nights or concerts in each week； and the number of pieces in which she will sing in each concert； to be regulated conditionally with her health and safety of voice； but the former never less than one or two； nor the latter less than four； but in no case to appear in operas。
Second。 In consideration of said services； the said John Hall Wilton； as agent for the said Phineas T。 Barnum； of New York； agrees to furnish the said Jenny Lind with a servant as waiting…maid； and a male servant to and for the sole service of her and her party； to pay the travelling and hotel expenses of a friend to accompany her as a companion； to pay also a secretary to superintend her finances； to pay all her and her party's travelling expenses from Europe； and during the tour in the United States of North America and Havana； to pay all hotel expenses for board and lodging during the same period； to place at her disposal in each city a carriage and horses with their necessary attendants； and to give her in addition the sum of two hundred pounds sterling； or one thousand dollars； for each concert or oratorio in which the said Jenny Lind shall sing。
Third。 And the said John Hall Wilton； as agent for the said Phineas T。 Barnum； doth further agree to give the said Jenny Lind the most satisfactory security and assurance for the full amount of her engagement； which will be placed in the hands of Messrs。 Baring Brothers； of London； previous to the departure； and subject to the order of the said Jenny Lind； with its interest due on its current reduction by her services in the concerts or oratorios。
Fourth。 And the said John Hall Wilton； on the part of the said Phineas T。 Barnum； further agrees； that should the said Phineas T。 Barnum； after seventy…five concerts； have realized so much as shall； after paying all current expenses； have returned to him all the sums disbursed； either as deposits at interest； for securities of salaries； preliminary outlay； or moneys in any way expended consequent on this engagement； and in addition； have gained a clear profit of at least fifteen thousand pounds sterling； then the said Phineas T。 Barnum will give the said Jenny Lind； in addition to the former sum of one thousand dollars current money of the United States of North America； nightly； one…fifth part of the profits arising from the remaining seventy…five concerts or oratorios； after deducting every expense current and appertaining thereto； or the said Jenny Lind agrees to try； with the said Phineas T。 Barnum； fifty concerts or oratorios on the aforesaid and first…named terms； and if then found to fall short of the expectations of the said Phineas T。 Barnum； then the said Jenny Lind agrees to reorganize this agreement； on terms quoted in his first proposal； as set forth in the annexed copy of his letter； but should such be found necessary； then the engagement continues up to seventy…five concerts or oratorios； at the end of which； should the aforesaid profit of fifteen thousand pounds sterling have not been realized； then the engagement shall continue as at firstthe sums herein； after expenses for Julius Benedict and Giovanni Belletti； to remain unaltered； except for advancement。
Fifth。 And the said John Hall Wilton； agent for the said Phineas T。 Barnum； at the request of the said Jenny Lind； agrees to pay to Julius Benedict； of London； to accompany the said Jenny Lind； as musical director； pianist； and superintendent of the musical department； also to assist the said Jenny Lind in one hundred and fifty concerts or oratorios； to be given in the United States of Nor