Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-08-14

We do not remember TO have any thing
in the shape of memoir of this divine danseuse.-
We shall therefore attempt faint sketch OF her
career, as an accompaniment TO the above represen
tation Of her in 4" La Cachucha"
1t is somewhere about twenty-five years since,
that the charming Fanny first nt> this breath
ins world Her parents were highly respectable
inhabitants of Vienna, in which city she born,
and here also she commenced her scholarship. 1t
entirely a matter of accident that she became
danseuse, and owing TO the fact that her parents
resided next door to person connected with the
Imperial Opera. The highly C .lorcd stories that
were told Of the opera, she listened to with greedy
Visions of theatrical glory, its honors, dis
tinctions, and splendid prospec infamed her ina
gination and although her parents strongly ep-
posed her intention, she insisted taking lessons
in the dance.
Her sister, Therese, was equally infatuated; they
both became pupils; and at the end of some two or
three years. they up for examination before the
ballet masters of the Imperial Opera; and out of
thirty two candidates, Fanny and Therese Elsser
were the only two accepted. Now began a severe
course Of study, and hard discipline, to which she
not only submitted with cheerfulness, but worked
with such unring zeal, that she outstripped all
her cempeers. And indeed her proficiency was so
wonderful, that they did not allow her to enter the
Corps de Ballet atal
There is curious anecdote connected with her
early history that must not be omitted. Tagloni
also studied at Vienns. On the night Of her debut.
who should be cast for the part of a cherub in the
ballet but ella petite Esser, then some six or Sc
ven years old. 1t is curious in the extreme to think
of little Fanny, who did not then aspire 10 making
6attemons, playing the part OF bright cherub in
air, holding a trumpet of Fame through which
same trumpet, 10 continue the metaphor, her own
name has passed widely her distinguished, but
more advanced predecessor.
Her sensations on this night were singular in the
extreme, for young child. She blushed at what
she considered the dignity Of her position, and
made vow that she would revenge herself for this
fancrul elevation in the air, by taking hereafter as
high place in her art, cost what labor Of years and
toll il might. And nobly has she redeemed her VOW
The first buildings of infantile but stern ambi-
ton shot up that night and TO the confused and con-
tending feelings that were then awakened by the
brilliant success Of her mature rival, and her own
comparatively after insignifcanee are 10 be attri-
buted the splendid results that all the world have
seen, admired and endorsed.
When only twelve years OF age, the directors
thought OF giving her leading place among the
CorypheonS, rank higher than the corps de ballet,
to which she objected in strong terms Of remon-
STRANGE The director, surprised at what he thought
an over estn Of her abilities, said TO her. Oh,
very well; you think yourself capable OF sustaining
a prominent part in a balletN" 81 do indeed :" wa,
the quick reply of the wonderful little girl "Oh,
very well" said he, half jesting, will soon give
gu chance The young and eager sspirants breast
beat hi Oh with hope, and fear and Joy, at what her
temerity had exposed her to. However, a chance
occurred, which shall explain hereafter. She
played a pciscipal part in the ballet Of La Fee"
came off with eelat, and established her fame as
first rate dancer.
Her career after this rapid and brilliant A
year afterwards she went to Naples, at the request
Of the royal family On her return TO Vienna after
a years absence, she took rank as Premier Dan
seuss Of the Imperial Opera. The year succeeding
she paid visit Berlin, at the request Of the amia
BILE old king, who had seen her Vienna; and here
she blished her fame the first dancer Of Ger
many.
Her success in Berlin most splendid. The
royal family commanded the directors Of the Opera
to engage her permanently any terms. She was
offered an enormous sum, and also the settlement OF
pension OF S3oyo per annum her for life, IL she
remained there eight years. She refused this bril-
liant offer, solely because she determined TO be
not only the dancer Of Germsny-but Of the world.
In 1894, she left Berlin for London Mons. Yer
ron, Director Of the Grand Opera in Paris, (when
Taglioni was then in the zenith Of her fame) came
to London-ssw Elssler, and engaged her She
went to Paris in 1896; her success was splendid
She played alternately in London, Paris, Berlin,
sc. for five years. She had then become the dancer
Of the old world. Like Alexander she sighed for
other worlds TO conquer, and determined TO be the
dancer Of the new world. This brought her TO
America-ia suiis--shsll be told hereafter.
MINERAL WEALTH or THE SrATE.-lt is stated