The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-04-18
Jenny Lind.

During her two years. engagements
in London, Jenny Lind hired the sub
urban residence of a stout and worthy
citizen, taking his furniture, carriage,
coachman, servants and house belong
ings of all descriptions, on rent. The
only addition that she made to the usual
service of the establishment was the at
tendance of an English chaplain. who,
upon the open lawn of the garden,
whenever the weather would permit. or
in the drawing-room, performed the de-
votions of the English Church for the
assembled household
The coachman, as is the custom in
England had accommodations for his
family in wing of the stables; and his
wife, the mother of two or three Young
children, was employed as washer
and ironer." While, with proffers of
attention and acquaintance from the
rank and fashion of London, the fair
Swede was mavailingly beset-a kind
of tribute to her genius and character
which she consistently and unyarying-
ly refused-the family of the honest
coachman were commonly enjoying
the much sought privilege. While
duchesses and countesses were refused
at her door, she was seated in the GEN.
tire of the haymow, her tavorite resort
for every hour of leisure, tending the
coachman's baby, or teaching the older
ones to read. On this humble family her
every day affections seemed to be ex-
pended. When away, concert-singing
at Birmingham or Liverpool, she wrote
to them daily as if to her own family,
and with tenderness of broken Eng
lish which was as touching as it was
curious.
These letters were lent and shown to
the neighbors and others, and the friend
(of our OWN who had seen them and
gives US these particulars, says that no
daughter could have written home more
familiarly and affecticnately. The
coachman's wife still wears, stitched TO
the sleeve of the calico gown in which
she works, and changed and re-stitched
carefully to every dress she puts on,
most costly diamond bracelet. her part
ing keepsake from Jenny Lind. 1t
would be hard extremity of poverty
that would induce her to part with it.
The famous opera singer had been
more than yearthe tenant of Mr.. c.,
and the staid and elderly citizen had
never seen her. He had his lodgings
in town, near his place d business,
and sent his clerk to Brompton quar-
terly to receive the rent. Some ques-
ton occurring, however, at one ofthese
quarterly settlements which an agent
could not very well dispose OF, ii be-
came necessary that MI. c. should
call ON his tenant in person. The stout
landlords account of his visit very much
amused his friends He expected an
uncomfortable degree of pretension and
ceremony. The servant at the door
showed his old master the drawing
room, and the next minute Miss Lindn
came running in from the garden, as
cordial as the oldest friend he had in
the world.
She seized him by his two hands,
crowded him down into large arm
chair, insisted upon knowing why he
had not been to see her during the long
time she had been in his house, and
finally seated herself on the floor to
talk over matters. Quite overcome with
this last csndescension. the deep-down
chivalry of the honest Englishman was
aroused, and dropping on one knee, he
declared that he could not sit in chair
while she sat on the floor At this the
unceremonious Jenny jumped up, and
taking Mr.. C.'s hand, drew him to a
window seat, and squeezed herself flor
he was very fat man) into the recess
by his side-sand a very tight squeeze
it was,n added the old gentleman in
telling the story. Here she pulled from
her pocket contracts and receipts, pro-
ceeded to business, which was soon set
tied; and the landlord took his leave,
delighted with Jenny Lind, but not quite
sure that he had been in full possession
of his senses.
Just before the celebrated singer left
this residence, a lady who had been
brought in contact with her by some
circumstance of neighborhood, and who
had conceived a strong affection for
her, asked one, day something as 4
Jenny few to her dressing
room and brought down Jewels and cost
ly articles Of dress, and eagerly begged
her to choose anything she possessed;
but an article of value was not what
the lady wished, or could expect. 1t
was with the greatest difficult that the
impulsive Swede could be made to
agree to let the keepsake consist of
only the bouquet Of flowers that she had
worn in La File du Regiment" Her
and simplicity seem beyond
faint or qualification by knowledge Of
the world
The above particulars showing the
celebrity of her pedestal, as
they do, will by no means diminish the
interest Of her reception in America. |
The qualities of character which they |
reveal are appreciated, and earnestly |
looked for by the largest and best class
of our country people-the unostenta-
lious and plain-hearted. Her coming |
amUag US viii be that years noted |
event. in all probability, and we only |
trust that a prophecies whose whole |
mission, with her embarrassing powers. |