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life of hon. phineas t. barnum-第41章

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alled into existence at a less price; by Mr。 Barnum; a plain republican; and is now about to be enjoyed by the sovereigns of the New World。

〃Jenny Lind; the most remarkable phenomenon in the musical art which has for the last century flashed across the horizon of the Old World; is now among us; and will make her debut to…morrow night to a house of nearly ten thousand listeners; yielding in proceeds by auction; a sum of forty or fifty thousand dollars。 For the last ten days our musical reporters have furnished our readers with every matter connected with her arrival in this metropolis; and the steps adopted by Mr。 Barnum in preparation for her first appearance。 The proceedings of yesterday; consisting of the sale of the remainder of the tickets; and the astonishing; the wonderful sensation produced at her first rehearsal on the few persons; critics in musical art; who were admitted on the occasion; will be found elsewhere in our columns。

〃We concur in everything that has been said by our musical reporter; describing her extraordinary geniusher unrivalled combination of power and art。 Nothing has been exaggerated; not an iota。 Three years ago; more or less; we heard Jenny Lind on many occasions; when she made the first great sensation in Europe; by her debut at the London Opera House。 Then she was great in powerin artin genius; now she is greater in all。 We speak from experience and conviction。 Then she astonished; and pleased; and fascinated the thousands of the British aristocracy; now she will fascinate; and please; and delight; and almost make mad with musical excitement; the millions of the American democracy。 To…morrow night; this new sensationthis fresh movementthis excitement excelling all former excitementswill be called into existence; when she pours out the notes of Casta Diva; and exhibits her astonishing powersher wonderful peculiarities; that seem more of heaven than of earthmore of a voice from eternity; than from the lips of a human being。

〃We speak soberlyseriouslycalmly。 The public expectation has run very high for the last weekhigher than at any former period of our past musical annals。 But high as it has risen; the realitythe factthe concertthe voice of Jenny Lindwill far surpass all past expectations。 Jenny Lind is a wonder; and a prodigy in songand no mistake。〃

Barnum had not hoped to manage such an enormous enterprise as this one; without some trouble and anxiety; but he soon discovered that in this case; realization far exceeded anticipation。 He often declared that from the first concert; September 11th; 1850; until the ninety…third concert; June 9th; 1851; he did not experience a single waking moment that was free from care。

Miss Lind was utterly unprepared for the enthusiasm of her American audience; and it is scarcely to be wondered at that she should appear to listen at first to the dishonorable counsels of some of her friends; who constantly besought her to break her contract with Barnum; who; they urged; was 〃coining money out of her genius;〃 and to take the enterprise into her own hands。 But whether Miss Lind realized that Mr。 Barnum's management was largely responsible for her triumph; or whether she was simply too high…minded to consider such a breach of honor; certain it is that she continued to stand by her contract。 John Jay; her lawyer; took every occasion to interfere; and Barnum suffered much from his unreasonable intrusions。 The following letter; written to Mr。 Joshua Bates of Baring Bros。 & Co。; London; will show the difficulties which beset the perplexed manager:                                                                     〃NEW YORK; October 23; 1850。

〃JOSHUA BATES; Esq。:

〃Dear Sir: I take the liberty to write you a few lines; merely to say that we are getting along as well as could reasonably be expected。 In this country you are aware that the rapid accumulation of wealth always creates much envy; and envy soon augments to malice。 Such are the elements at work to a limited degree against myself; and although Miss Lind; Benedict and myself have never; as yet; had the slightest feelings between us; to my knowledge; except those of friendship; yet I cannot well see how this can long continue in the face of the fact that; nearly every day they allow persons (some moving in the first classes of society) to approach them; and spend hours in traducing me; even her attorney; Mr。 John Jay; has been so blind to her interests; as to aid in poisoning her mind against me; by pouring into her ears the most silly twaddle; all of which amounts to nothing and less than nothingsuch as the regret that I was a showman; exhibiter of Tom Thumb; etc。; etc。

〃Without the elements which I possess for business; as well as my knowledge of human nature; acquired in catering for the public; the result of her concerts here would not have been pecuniarily one…half as much as the presentand such men as the Hon。 Edward Everett; G。 G。 Howland; and others; will tell you that there is no charlatanism or lack of dignity in my management of these concerts。 I know as well as any person; that the merits of Jenny Lind are the best capital to depend upon to secure public favor; and I have thus far acted on this knowledge。 Everything which money and attention can procure for their comfort; they have; and I am glad to know that they are satisfied on this score。 All I fear is; that these continued backbitings; if listened to by her; will; by and by; produce a feeling of distrust or regret; which will lead to unpleasant results。

〃The fact is; her mind ought to be as free as air; and she herself as free as a bird; and being satisfied of my probity and ability; she should turn a deaf ear to all envious and malevolent attacks on me。 I have hoped that by thus briefly stating to you the facts in the case; you might be induced for her interests as well as mine to drop a line of advice to Mr。 Benedict and another to Mr。 Jay on this subject。 If I am asking or expecting too much; I pray you to not give it a thought; for I feel myself fully able to carry through my rights alone; although I should deplore nothing so much as to be obliged to do so in a feeling of unfriendliness。 I have risked much money on the issue of this speculationit has proved successful。 I am full of perplexity and anxiety; and labor continually for success; and I cannot allow ignorance or envy to rob me of the fruits of my enterprise。                          〃Sincerely and gratefully yours;                                                         〃P。 T。 BARNUM。〃 

Miss Lind's benevolence had been so largely extolled that it was not surprising that she should have been continually beset by applicants for charity。

In almost all cases she gave liberally in sums varying from 20 to 1;000; and to one Swedish friend; it is said; she actually gave 5;000。

On her return from Boston to New York the whole party stopped at Iranistan; Mr。 Barnum's Bridgeport place。 The next morning Miss Lind was escorted over the grounds; the beauty of which delighted her。 〃Do you know; Mr。 Barnum;〃 she said; 〃that if you had not built Iranistan; I should never have come to America for you?〃 Mr。 Barnum; much surprised; asked her to explain。

〃I had received s
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