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hich opera tickets command in the States； had determined that they would force Barnum to lower the admission fee。 This the manager refused to do； and it soon became evident that although they attended the concerts； they were not disposed to show the singer the least favor。 It was； therefore； with much inward trepidation that Barnum watched the curtain rise on the first concert。 The following account of that concert is taken from the New York Tribune：
〃Jenny Lind soon appeared； led on by Signor Belletti。 Some three or four hundred persons clapped their hands at her appearance； but this token of approbation was instantly silenced by at least two thousand five hundred decided hisses。 Thus having settled the matter that there should be no forestalling of public opinion； and that it applause was given to Jenny Lind in that house it should first be incontestably earned； the most solemn silence prevailed。 I have heard the Swedish Nightingale often in Europe as well as in America； and have ever noticed a distinct tremulousness attending her first appearance in any city。 Indeed this feeling was plainly manifested in her countenance as she neared the foot…lights； but when she witnessed the kind of reception in store for herso different from anything she had reason to expecther countenance changed in an instant to a haughty self…possession； her eyes flashed defiance； and； becoming immovable as a statue； she stood there perfectly calm and beautiful。 She was satisfied that she now had an ordeal to pass and a victory to gain worthy of her powers。 In a moment her eye scanned the immense audience； the music began and then followedhow can I describe it？such heavenly strains as I verily believe mortal never breathed except Jenny Lind； and mortal never heard except from her lips。 Some of the oldest Castilians kept a frown upon their brow and a curling sneer upon their lips； their ladies； however； and most of the audience began to look surprised。 The gushing melody flowed on； increasing in beauty and glory。 The caballeros； the senoras and senoritas began to look at each other； nearly all； however； kept their teeth clenched and their lips closed； evidently determined to resist to the last。 The torrent flowed deeper and faster； the lark flew higher and higher； the melody grew richer and grander； still every lip was compressed。 By and by； as the rich notes came dashing in rivers upon our enraptured ears； one poor critic involuntarily whispered a 'brava。' This outbursting of the soul was instantly hissed down。 The stream of harmony rolled on till； at the close； it made a clean sweep of every obstacle； and carried all before it。 Not a vestige of opposition remained； but such a tremendous shout of applause as went up I never before heard。
〃The triumph was most complete。 And how was Jenny Lind affected？ She who stood a few moments previous like adamant； now trembled like a reed in the wind before the storm of enthusiasm which her own simple notes had produced。 Tremblingly； slowly； and almost bowing her face to the ground； she withdrew。 The roar and applause of victory increased。 'Encore！ encore！ encore！' came from every lip。 She again appeared； and courtesying low； again withdrew； but again； again and again did they call her out and at every appearance the thunders of applause rang louder and louder。 Thus five times was Jenny Lind called out to receive their unanimous and deafening plaudits。〃
With tears of joy rolling down his cheeks； Barnum rushed behind the scenes； and met her as she was withdrawing after the fifth encore。
〃God bless you； Jenny；〃 he cried； 〃you've settled them！〃
〃Are you satisfied？〃 said the singer； throwing her arms around his neck and weeping for joy。 This was the first she had known of the opposition； all hint of it having been kept from her by Mr。 Barnum； but she fully sympathized with him in his determination not to lower the prices。
The papers continued to cry out for a reduction； and this caused many people to stay away from the concerts； expecting Barnum to yield。 But when； after three concerts； it was announced that the next one； devoted to charity； was also to be Miss Lind's farewell； they became very much excited。 Committees waited on them to request more concerts； which resulted only in refusals： some of the leading Dons offered to guarantee them 25；000； for three concerts； but Barnum assured them that there was not money enough in the Island of Cuba to induce him to consent。
The proceeds of the fourth concert were distributed between two hospitals and a convent； besides giving 500 to Barnum's old protege Vivalla； the little Italian plate…dancer； whom they had met in Havana。 The poor fellow's fortunes were at a very low ebb； having lost the use of his left side from paralysis。 He supported himself by exhibiting a performing dog； which turned a spinning wheel and did several other tricks。 Miss Lind had heard of his case and was very anxious that part of the benefit money should be given him。
The morning after the concert the bell rang and Barnum found； on going to the door； a procession of children from the convent which had received a large sum of money from Miss Lind。 The children were attended by ten or twelve priests in rich vestments。 They had come to see the songstress and to thank her in person。 But Jenny shrank from appearing before such a stately deputation： 〃Tell them I cannot see them；〃 she exclaimed。 〃They have nothing to thank me for。 If I have done good it was no more than my duty。〃 And the grand procession with its wreaths and banners； were obliged to depart。
The same day； Vivalla called and brought her a basket of fruit。 With tears of joy； he called down every blessing on the head of the benevolent lady。 〃I shall go back to Italy！ I shall see my brothers and sisters again！〃 he cried。 Miss Lind had gone for a drive； but Barnum promised to give her the fruit and the message。 As he was passing out the door he hesitated end said： 〃Mr。 Barnum； I should like so much to have the good lady see my dog turn a wheel。 It is very nice； he can spin very good； shall I bring the dog and the wheel for her？ She is such a good lady； I wish to please her very much。〃 Mr。 Barnum told the grateful fellow that Miss Lind had refused to see the priests from the convent that morning； because she never received thanks for favors； and that he was quite welcome to the money。
When Miss Lind returned and heard the story； she exclaimed： 〃Poor man； poor man； do let him come； its all the good creature can do for me；〃 then with tears rolling down her face〃I like that； I like that； do let him come and bring his dog。 It will make him so happy。〃
〃God bless you； it WILL make him happy；〃 said Barnum。 〃He shall come to…morrow。〃 And he went himself to tell Vivalla that Jenny Lind would see his dog perform； the next day at four precisely。
〃I will be punctual；〃 said Vivalla； quite overcome with emotion； 〃but I was SURE she would like to see my dog perform。〃
For full half an hour before the time appointed did Jenny Lind sit in her window on the second floor and watch for Vivalla and his dog。 A few minutes before the appointed hour； she saw him coming。 〃Ah； here he comes！ here he comes！〃 she exclaimed in delight； as s