The Express.
London, England, 1847-09-09 00:00:00

JENNY LAND.

I now tarn back to the year 1840. One day, in
the hotel in which I lived, in Copenhagen, I saw the name
of Jenny Lind among those of the stranger' from Sweden.
I was aware at that time that she was the first singer in
Stockholm. I had been that same year in this neighbour
country, and had there met with honour and kindness: I
thought, therefore, that it would not be unbecoming in me
to pay a vita to the young artist. She was at that time en-
tirely unknown out of Sweden; so that I was oonvinoed that
even in Copenhagen her name was known only by a few.
She received me very courteously, but distantly, almost
coldly. She was, as she said, on a journey with her father
to South Sweden, and wee oome over to Copenhagen for a
few days in order that she might see this city. We again
parted distantly ; and I had the impression of a very ordi-
nary character, which soon passed away from my mind.
In the autumn of 1843 Jenny Lind came spin to Copen-
hagen. One of my friends, our clever belled-master, Boor-
' non elle who bad married a Swedish lady, a friend of Jenny
Lind, informed me of her arrival here, and told me that she
remembered me very kindly, and now she had read my writ-
, ins. He entreated me to go with him to her, sad to employ
ell my persuasive art to induce her to take a few parts at the
Theatre Royal I should, lie said, be then quite enchanted
with what I Amid hear.
I was not now received as a stranger. She cordially ex-
tended to me her hand and spoke of my writings, and of Miss
Frederik& Bremer, who also was her affectionate friend.
The conversation soon turned to her appearance in Copen-
hagen ; and of this Jenny Lind declared that she stood
fear.
_ . .

-- •
" I have never made my appearance," said she, " out of
Sweden . everybody in my nature land is so affectionate and
kind to me, and if I make my appearance in Copenhagen
and be hissed !—I dare not venture on it."

I said that I, it was true, could not pass judgment on her
singing, because I never heard it ; neither did I know how
she acted; but, nevertheless, I was convinced that such was
the disposition at this mommt in Copenhagen that only a
moderate yoke and some knowledge of acting would be enc.
earful : I believed that she might safely venture.
Bournonville's persuasion obtained for the Copenbsgeners
the greatest enjoyment which they ever had. Jenny Lind
made her first appearance among them as Alice, in "Robert
le Diable." It was like a new revelation in the realms of
art ; the youthful fresh voice forced itself into every heart ;
here reigned truth and nature ; everything was full of mean-
ing and intelligence.
At one concert Jenny Lind sang her Swedish songs. There
was something so peculiar in this, so bewitching, people
thought nothing about the concert-room : the popular melo-
dies, uttered by a being so purely feminine, and bearing the
universal stamp of genius, exercised their omnipotent sway ;
the whole of Copenhagen was in rapture'.
Jenny Lind was the first singer to whom the Danish stu-
dents gave a serenade ; torches blazed around the hospitable
villa where the serenade was given ; she expressed her thanks
by again singing some Swedish songs ; and I then saw her
hasten into the darkest corner and weep for emotion.
" Yes, yes," said the, " I will exert myself; I will endea-
vour, I will be better qualified than I am when I again
come to Copenhagen."
On the stage she was the great artist, who rose above all
those around her; at home, in her own clamber; a sensitive
young girl, with all the humility sad piety of a child.
tier appearance in Copenhagen made an epoch in the his-
tory of our opera: it showed me art in its sanctity—l had
beheld on of its vestals. She journeyed back to Stockholm ;
and from there Fl'l4l'lllll Bremer wrote to me " With re-
gard to Jenny Lind, as a singer, we are both of us perfectly
agreed. She stands as high as any artist of our time can
stand ; but as yet you do not know her in her lull greatness.
Speak to her about her art, and you will wonder at the ex-
pansion of her mind, and will see her countenance beaming
with inspiration. Converse with her of Clod and of the ho-
liness of religion, and you will see tears in those innocent
eyes. She is great se an artist, bat she is still greater in her
pure human existence ! "
There is not anything which eaa lessen the impression
which Jenny Lind 's greatness en the stage makes except her
own personal character at home. An intelligent and child-
like disposition exercises here its astonishing power. She is
happy; belonging, as it were, no longer to the world, a
peaceful, quiet home is the object of her thoughts, and yet
she loves art with her whole soul, and feels her vocation
in it. A noble, pious disposition like hers cannot be spoiled
by homage.
On one occasion only did I hear her express her joy in her
talent and her self-consciousness. It was during her last
residence in Copenhagen. Almost every evening she ap-
peared either in the opera or at concerts every hour was in
requisition. She heard of a misty, the abject of which was
to assist unfortunate children, and to take them out of the
hands of their parents by whom they were misused, and
compelled either to him or steel, and place them in other and
better circumstances. Benevolent people subscribed annually
a small sum each for their support; nevertheless the means
for this excellent purpose were small.
"But have I not still a disengaged evening ?" said she.
" Let me give a night's performance for the benefit of these
poor children ; but we will have double prigs."
Such a performance was given, and returned large pro-
ceeds. When she was informed of this, and that by this
means a number of poor children would be benefitted for
several years, her countenance beamed and the tears filled
her eyes.
" It is, however, beautiful," said she, " that lonising so."
—From Andersen's True Story of his Life.

BAVARIA. 111t7www. LOLA MONTES ONCE
noas.—A letter from Munich of the let, in the Goutle des
Tribunaus, says : " Dldlle. Lola Mentes, or rather her Ex-
cellency the Countess de Landafeld, has just abandoned her-
self to another of those passionate movements which have
contributed to render her celebrated. The very day on which
the Countess de Landefeld returned from the watering-place
of Bruckeaau to Munich, the whim seised her to go aid
purchase some engravings in the shop of MM. Meyer and
Wiedmay. At the moment at which she wee about to enter
the shop, a young lieutenant, M. B—g, stood before the
door, looking through the window at some pictures ex-
posed in the interior. Madame de Landdeld, irritated at
not being able to enter immediately, gave the officer
a heavy blow on the back with her umbrella. M. B—g
turned round, andmade room for the countess, grumbling,
' Impudent effrontery !' Madame de Landefeld entered the
shop without replying, end M. B—g went his way. The
g next morning M. B received • challenge from M.
M—, a lieutenant of artillery; but he replied verbally
to the person who took it, that he would never fight for such
a motive. In the evening M. B—g and M.M— were
arrested.—The journals have announced that the King had
accorded an income for life from the state to the Countess de
Landsfeld. The amount of that income has just been fixed
it 20,000 florins, a own which is equal to 62,000 francs. Fire